Eridanos, the ancient stream of Athens is part of public space

Eridanos, the ancient stream of Athens is part of public space not the battleground for skirmishes among archaeologists.

The text is signed by members of the study team of architects for Monasteraki Square.

Following an open architectural contest for the historical Monasteraki Square (central Athens) and in the course of the long-delayed works for the realisation of the winning proposal, we had a surprise: Eridanos, the ancient stream was found to be flowing right under our feet in its subterranean bed, with stone walls and vestiges of earlier fortifications. As of August 1, 2008, we were informed -through the newspapers- that according to a decision by the central archaeological council, Eridanos will have to be protected from trash and other damaging factors with a glass cover. We, as responsible architects members of the study team for the works in Monasteraki Square, regret and oppose this decision for the following reasons:
We believe that Eridanos in its actual location where it was found, in the heart of Athens, is of high value and ought to be brought to the attention of both locals and visitors to the city. The fact that the river was still alive after so many years but hidden underground came as a surprise; nevertheless, we were filled with joy as we imagined that local people and passers-by could once more have direct contact with its water. We feel that everybody has the right to see and hear the stream of Eridanos; such contact is another way of experiencing history and civilisation, along with the hidden natural landscape of the city. We think that a glass cover will prevent contact. We see Eridanos as an integral and organic part of the Square and of public space; we demand that it should be treated as such. From the very beginning, we asked for a complete study to focus on river Eridanos, in cooperation with archaeologists and environmental scientists, but, to no avail. We hereby call for the decision of the central archaeological council to be annulled; clearly, as a concerned party, we were never invited or consulted in any way. As concerns the argument about citizens causing damage to open archaeological sites by disposing of their trash... this is clearly a matter of education, of proper integration of sites to the city's public space on the basis of architectural studies e.t.c.

This decision is characteristic of a way of thinking that undermines public space and its significance, disregarding civilisation and its connection with the present and the future of Athens. We want "living" archaeological sites in the city.

Nikos Kazeros
Christina Parakente
Eleni Tzirtzilaki

-------------------------------------

The works for the realisation of the winning proposal for the Monasteraki Square were initially scheduled to finish in 2004.

photo: Monasteraki Square by Nikos Kazeros