ATHENS – The renowned Gennadius Library of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens is marking its 100th anniversary with an international conference titled ‘From Private Libraries to Public Knowledge: Collecting, Curating, and the Future of Libraries’.
President of the Hellenic Republic Constantine Tassoulas inaugurated the conference on April 21 and in his presentation, he spoke about the importance of Greek culture and language as a heritage that must be preserved as a power connecting generations.
“Great nations are not recognized simply by the power of their institutions or the progress of their history, but also by the manner in which they preserve, honor, and showcase the documentation of their culture. The places that house valuable collections are places where a nation meets its deeper self; and they must be surrounded by the same security, care, and respect that befits every treasury, because that is where a historical, national, and spiritual capital of unsurpassed value is kept,” Tassoulas said.
The Greek president spoke extensively about the contribution of diplomat and bibliophile Joannes Gennadius, after whom the library was named, and of the library’s 15th century collection of printings of Greek works abroad, as well as the archives of outstanding Greek personalities gifted to it.
“From its official inauguration in April 1926 to the present, Gennadius Library functioned as a trustee of Greek and Balkan letters, and at the same time as a place for dialog and the promotion of knowledge. A lively research organization that attracts researchers from the entire world, providing access to material of unsurpassed value, a bridge between the Greek and international academic communities, a laboratory of culture, an aesthetic and intellectual refuge in the heart of Athens,” Tassoulas said, describing the institution. “In recent years, it is digitizing its collections and utilizes new technologies without losing its identity. Its power lies in its ability to combine tradition with innovation,” the Greek president underlined.
