“Heraklion For You”: They request the inclusion of Knossos in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Mayor Maria Kanavaki, Municipal Councilors Costas Vardavas and Lefteris Soultatos and the members of the Municipal Faction “Heraklion For You” request in a letter that the Municipal Council be informed about the issue of the inclusion of the Archaeological Site of Knossos in the list of World Heritage Sites UNESCO, at the same time raising a series of questions for discussion and answer.

The following is the relevant announcement:

Mayor Maria Kanavaki, Municipal Councilors Costas Vardavas and Lefteris Soultatos and the members of the Municipal Faction “HERAKLEIO FOR YOU” request with the following letter from the Municipal Authority that the Municipal Council be informed on the important and important issue for our country of the inclusion of the Archaeological Site of Knossos in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List and we raise a series of questions for discussion and answer, pointing out that proper planning and coordination of all necessary actions is needed to achieve of the goal of integration, while taking into account the smooth functioning of the spacesafeguarding the daily life of the residents and ensuring the activity of the area’s professionals during the tourist season.

Our Letter:

To:

President of Heraklion Municipal Council

Comm.:

Office of the Mayor of Heraklion

Office of the General Secretary of the Municipality of Heraklion

Heraklion, 22/4/2024

SUBJECT: “Questions of the Municipal Group “HERAKLEIOS FOR YOU” for Introduction for discussion and response to the Municipal Council of Heraklion regarding the inclusion of the Archaeological Site of Knossos in the List of UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites”

Mister President,

Following contacts with the Ministry of Culture of the Mayor of Heraklion, Alexis Kalokairinos, and his statements to the media, as well as relevant publications in the local press regarding the inclusion of the Archaeological Site of Knossos in the List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, we ask you the following questions and please for their introduction for discussion and response to the Municipal Council:

• At what stage are the contacts with the Ministry of Culture at the moment and what is the participation of the Municipality of Heraklion in them?

• Is there any comprehensive study, which has been approved or has been submitted for approval to the Archaeological Service for the interventions required in order to achieve the goal of integration? If so, please let us know.

• What exactly does the 1st strand of actions include, which as it has been announced must be completed by September of this year in view of the visit of the UNESCO evaluation team?

• If and when these actions are carried out, will they have an impact on the day-to-day operation of the archaeological site, visitors, permanent residents of the area and local businesses, and how will these be dealt with?

• Which organization will finance the actions?

• Will the planned and certainly imposed changes to the facades of private buildings in the area, residences or even shops (as mentioned in televised statements by the Deputy Mayor of Town Planning, Mrs. Archontakis) be included in a financing program or will they burden the residents and local businessmen?

Mister President,

Without a doubt the matter in question for Knossos is very important for our country and given the desire and will of all of us for its inclusion in UNESCO, we consider it necessary to inform the Municipal Council by the Municipal Authority and therefore the introduction and answer our questions at the next BOD, whenever it is scheduled.

Thanks for the cooperation.

Yours sincerely,

The Chief,

the Municipal Councillors

& the members of the Municipal Faction

“HERAKLEION FOR YOU”