For everyone who is interested in the fate of the new park and cultural center in Athens that I wrote about in my post ‘A walk in the park’, it has been handed over, as planned, to the Greek state, in a ceremony described in the blog Art Scene Athens. Let’s all keep our fingers crossed about its fate.
THE STAVROS Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre (SNFCC), has witnessed around 25,000 visitors per week since August. On February 23, the 620 million euro centre which was solely funded by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF), was officially handed over to the Greek state. The SNFCC is the new home of the Greek National Opera (GNO) and the Greek National Library (GNL) and also boasts a fantastic park land, used for open air concerts, comprising sports facilities and more. The signing ceremony included speeches by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, President of the Hellenic Republic Prokopis Pavlopoulos and SNF Co-President and Director Andreas Dracopoulos. A spectacular performance with artists from various fields followed, the highlight of which was world-renowned soprano Sumi Jo’s performance of the aria ‘Casta Diva’ from Bellini’s ‘Norma’; An apt choice, considering that another famous interpretation of this aria was rendered by the great Greek diva of opera, Maria Callas.
President…
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Letters from Athens 
It looks like a wonderful place indeed, and full of good intentions. We can only hope that the funding continues, or the ability to pay its way takes over. I am feeling positive, at least from over here in the UK.
Best wishes, Pete.
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When one sees what happened to a lot of the Olympic venues, including the Equestrian centre which was attached to a new racecourse and thus had every ability to fund itself, and even make money for the state, it is hard to feel optimistic. However, this still has the SNF behind it, so hopefully it will be steered in the right direction. X
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Fingers crossed. I’m surprised Niarchos left behind such a remarkable heritage. Out of curiosity, did Onassis do anything similar?
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Yes, there is also a foundation that has donated and supported various things like a hospital for heart operations. But I have the feeling the Niarchos Foundation is better run (I might be wrong…)
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Like maybe more piecemeal with different projects? The Niarchos Foundation on the other hand sounds like it moves forward in a very coherent and well-planned way.
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It does a lot of re-forestation as well which is sorely needed, what with all the fires every summer
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