In recent weeks so much culture has been spooned out to so many people, that a person almost longs for labor in the most uncultivated parts of the country. And these must be getting rare, for there is hardly a village left without a cultural center, presenting art shows and music fests. After an actors’ strike which left Athenian theaters dark, the Ministry of Civilization got after these cultural laggards and sent them packing with their troupes, costumes, sets and cosmetics into the boondocks. If, at the end of the five – year cultural plan, every Greek shepherd doesn’t know the complete oeuvre of Euripides by heart, it won’t be for lack of effort on the part of the authorities.
As every primer of practical politics states early on, no voter can be against children’s playgrounds. So, the government has, is, or is planning to set them up in every conceivable location, but particularly in those highly polluted areas long associated with the restless (and non – cultural) doings of former rightist regimes, like the Gazi quarter of Athens, where the gasworks are, and which are supposed to be closed now but aren’t quite yet; and Keratsini, another dirty energy unit in Piraeus, which in fact was closed down by a former government but was recently reopened, mainly because getting culture and rest to the people takes a great deal of energy (like floodlighting political rallies). No matter; all these grimy smoke-stacks are slated to come down and be replaced by gaily colored slides, swings and seesaws.
Going on the arguable premise that the people can’t afford cars and therefore must walk instead – though the malfunction of public transport may have something to do with it -pedestrian squares and walkways are much in favor. Nevermind that of the two already in operation, Fokionos Negri and Voukourestiou, one is full of rubbish and motorcycles and the other a favorite pick – up haunt for all three genders: the pedestrian Metropolitan Square is almost complete and Kotzias (Town Hall) Square ready to start reclamation for homo erectus.
Now, cafe – theaters for the people look to becoming the latest rage. One has already opened in Zographou, that most advanced quarter of Athens. Whatever Zographou does, all other municipalities necessarily follow. Last month, even a cultural theater on wheels was introduced, implying that every hamlet connected by road to the outside world will be served.
But by far the most publicized gift to the people last month was the extensive Syngrou Park lying between Maroussi and Kifissia. The publicity was heightened by the postponement of the formal presentation several times due to rain, it being felt that parks should be awarded to the people only in fair weather. The possible number of children’s playgrounds, adult walkways, outdoor art exhibits and cafe – theaters (mobile or stationary) that can fit into this 1,000 acre tract is truly formidable.
Given the possibility that the people may include car owners, too, road – widening is a major on – going project for the benefit of the people. Two major thoroughfares receiving most attention have, unfortunately, caused a certain cultural unrest lately. In the case of Leoforos Kifissias, that section next to Syngrou Park has grown so broad that not only is the park getting smaller and the pine trees fewer, but the people trying to enter the park endanger their lives by having to cross so many lanes of traffic.
A far more serious ‘ broadening’ is that of the Sacred Way. Last month the Ministry of Public Works moved in with its bulldozers to widen from 10 to 26 meters this most celebrated route of ancient Greece – leading from the Sanctuary of the Eleusian Mysteries to the Acropolis – thus causing an archaeological upheaval on sites whose deepest strata are imbedded in prehistory and in many areas have not been excavated. Yet it seems the Ministry of Culture, let alone the Archaeological Service, was not forewarned.
Giving things to the people (‘our’ people – ο laos mas – as the official Easter greeting went): parks, playgrounds, pedestrian walkways, widened highways, cafe – theaters, whatever; sounds like ‘giving alms to the poor’. It carries the spirit of benign despotism. In democracy, it is axiomatic: these things already belong to the people by right, to be administered, well or ill, but not given, by whatever government the people choose to elect. The ancient heritage of the Sacred Way belongs to the people of Greece without benefit of bulldozers. As for Syngrou Park, that former private estate was given without hullabaloo to the people by Andreas and Iphigenia Syngros 63 years ago.
