“Ruins have charm” said a great teacher. In the vast ruins at the foot of the Acropolis of Gortyna, every step had a surprise in store. In 2011, with funding from the Region of Crete and with the support of the DIAZOMA Association and the Municipality of Gortyna, the long and arduous effort to uncover and restore one of the largest viewing areas of Roman Crete began. Mythological paths for the origin of the ancient theatre lead to Crete. From the chorostasis that Daedalus built for Ariadne, as Homer mentions, to the palace theatres unearthed by archaeological excavation, the origins of the ancient theatre emerge. The number and specificity of the sculptures uncovered in the Great Theatre of Gortyna and the varied architectural elements confirm the economic prosperity of the city and the strong links between the upper classes of Gortyna and Rome. They also demonstrate, through the myth of Europa and the bull, the longevity of the Cretan cultural tradition. The unexpected surprises underneath massive architectural members are transformed into a sense of respect and responsibility for the maintenance and preservation of the monument, and its transformation from a ruin into a new pole of cultural interest, connected to the other monuments of ancient Gortyna, the museum and the local community, as a place for outdoor events and happenings. The presentation is dedicated by the speakers to the teacher, colleague and friend, Professor Petros Themelis.
IN COLLABORATION
with the DIAZOMA Association