Institute for Mediterranean Studies
Islamic Tombstones of Rethymno, Crete
ISBN: 979-9759740510

Islamic Tombstones of Rethymno, Crete

Within the framework of the Turkish-Greek Civic Dialogue Programme, launched by the European Commission, a project has been undertaken with the aim of increasing local awareness concerning the architectural heritage left from the exchange of populations of 1923 in Turkey and Greece. Initiated by the Foundation of Laussane Treaty Emigrants, the project had among its partners, the Association of Conservation and Restoration Experts (KORDER), the Chamber of Architects and the Municipality of Mustafapasa in Turkey, and the Hellenic Section of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (lCOMOS) in Greece. The project, titled 'Developing Local Awareness Concerning the Architectural Heritage Left from the Exchange ofPopulations in Turkey and Greece', or 'Common Cultural Heritage' in short form, aimed to create an opportunity for members of related non-governmental organizations, municipalities and the local populations of both countries to appraise the cultural heritage left from the emigrants and discuss the criteria for its protection. The main activities of the project consisted of conferences, workshops and exhibitions held in the towns of Sinasos / Mustafapasa (Nevsehir-Cappadocia, Turkey) on 18-24 September 2004 and in Rethymno (Crete, Greece) on 21-27 October 2004, lasting a week in each location. In the workshops, groups led by five experts from each side discussed issues such as conservation and restoration methodology and the reuse of buildings, in the physical context of the architectural heritage, enabling a mutual exchange of technical know-how. In the exhibitions plans, architectural drawings and old photographs of the settlements and buildings were displayed, as well as scientific and oral history documents and ethnographic material belonging to the emigrants. To ensure the sustainability of the project, the workshop and conference results and the exhibition material was placed on the internet and compiled in databases and publications. Also the whole

  • Antonis Anastasopoulos