PRESS RELEASE - Presentation of the commemorative volume “Arethousa – The Archaeological Museum of Chalkida”

Athens, 14 December 2022 – Lamda Development presented today, at the Ellinikon Experience Centre, the commemorative volume “Arethousa – The Archaeological Museum of Chalkida” by the archaeologist and Head of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Euboea, Dr Angeliki G. Simosi. This is the 21st volume of the publishing series “The Museums Cycle” which aims to showcase our country's archaeological treasures exhibited in museums and its rich cultural heritage.

The volume “Arethousa” presents archaeological findings from the Paleolithic Age to modern times, originated from Euboea and Skyros, which are exhibited in the new museum’s permanent exhibition, shedding light on various periods of the long-lasting history of the wider region.

The Minister of Culture and Sports Ms. Lina Mendoni, in her address, stated: “The Archaeological Museum of Chalkida had immediately become a turning point in the city’s cultural and social life, leveraging local and prefectural development. It is now gifted with this equally important commemorative publication that will further promote its value”

The author of the volume, Dr Angeliki Simosi stressed among others: “The Archaeological Museum of Chalkida “Arethousa” is a symbol for the city but also for the history of the whole island, including Skyros, from the distant Neolithic past until today. Since the era of Abantes, the first Greek tribe and ancestors of the Euboeans, the inhabitants of the island together with those of the adjacent island of Skyros have shown a pluralistic spirit and high ideals. The Euboeans and the inhabitants of Skyros were pioneers in the second colonization and spread the first Greek alphabet, namely the Chalkidian alphabet, to Southern Italy and Sicily, making it the precursor of the Etruscan and then of the Latin alphabet. The Euboeans undoubtedly stand out as excellent traders, crossing, throughout the centuries, distant seas of those times. This story of such highly active people unfolds inside the traditional landmark of the area: a building with the timeless name Arethousa. The name, which is inspired by the mythological lake nymph with the same name, was originally given to a distillery factory of the previous century and has been preserved to this day in our wonderful Museum.

Mr. Evangelos Chronis, Vice Chairman of Lamda Development, stated: “With this publication, Lamda Development honors, for the third year in a row, the legacy of the Latsis Foundation, which launched the ‘Museums Cycle’ publishing initiative, and invites readers on a cognitive journey through the history and prehistory of Greece. This publication is characterized by quality, respect for our cultural heritage and scientific excellence that are the distinctive elements of the series. It has been released in Greek and English in separate volumes. It is a unique handbook of knowledge for researchers as well as for a broader reading audience”.

The commemorative volume will be distributed free of charge to archaeology departments of universities in Greece and abroad, to the competent departments of the Ministry of Culture and Sports, to foreign archaeology schools and institutes, as well as to selected local and international libraries and organizations. The digital version of the volume is available in Greek and English on Lamda Development’s website https://www.lamdadev.com.

The volume is published by Olkos Publishers, under the supervision of Ms. Eirini Louvrou. Photography was made by Mr. Sokratis Mavrommatis, the English translation of the book by Ms. Alexandra Douma and page layout by Ms. Eliza Kokkini. Images were edited by Mr. Nikos Lagos. Copy editing was made by Mr. Pantelis Boukalas, printing by Fotolio company and bookbinding by Mr. Georgios Iliopoulos.