An international scientific conference entitled “Institution of Sponsorship from ancient to modern times” will be held on 7-9 February 2014 at Thessaloniki. The conference is organized by the National Archaeological Museum, the Numismatic Museum, the Norwegian Institute at Athens and the Museum of Byzantine Culture.
Sponsorship was first institutionalized in the late 6th cent. BC. but it truly reached its peak during the Golden Age of Pericles, when it included many different aspects of social action. From antiquity to the present day sponsorship has undergone many and varied transformations, which have altered its goals and definition. For example, charity, patronage, benefaction, and donation are forms of sponsorship with different content. Modern sponsorship, particularly in the context of economic recession, is one of the most important institutions responsible for the proper functioning of cultural bodies and culture-related activities.
Objectives of the conference are: (a) to shed light on the social institutions of sponsorship and its development through time; (b) to link the sponsorship with important historical events and personalities; (c) to identify the problems facing this institution today; (d) to highlight the necessity of this institution and explore it various facets; and (e) to propose a new framework for the institution in both private and public context.
The conference will take place in Thessaloniki, at the auditorium of the Museum of Byzantine Culture, between February 7 and 9, 2014. The meetings include two days of presentation of papers and roundtables and a day reserved for an optional visit to the Archaeological Museum in Sofia, Bulgaria, the location of the “Leaving a Mark on History” exhibition. The organizers intend for the conference to coincide with the beginning of Greece European Union presidency. The cost of accommodation for the speakers will be covered by the conference organizers. The conference proceedings will be issued by the Norwegian Institute at Athens and will include both presented papers and roundtable discussions.
The languages of the conference are English and Greek.
Scientific Committee
Professor Panos Dimas, Director of the Norwegian Institute at Athens
Dr. George Kakavas, Director of the Numismatic Museum and Acting Director of the National Archaeological Museum (chairman of the committee)
Dr. A. Tsilipakou, Director of the Museum of Byzantine Culture
Organizing Committee
Giorka Nikolaou, historian-numismatist in the Numismatic Museum
Eleni Spyraki, Ministry of Culture Sports
Dr. Fanis Mavridis, archaeologist at the Ministry of Culture and Sports
Dr. Zarko Tankosic, Norwegian Institute at Athens
Dr. Christina Avronidaki, archaeologist in the National Archaeological Museum
Evangelia Tsota, archaeologist in the Numismatic Museum
Editorial Committee
Dr. Alexandra Christopoulou, archaeologist in the National Archaeological Museum
Professor Panos Dimas, Director of the Norwegian Institute at Athens
Stella Dreni, archaeologist
Dr. George Kakavas, Director of the Numismatic Museum and Acting Director of the National Archaeological Museum
Dr. Fanis Mavridis, archaeologist at the Ministry of Culture and Sports
Dr. Zarko Tankosic, Norwegian Institute at Athens
Secretarial Support
Nikos Sougles, Numismatic Museum
Popi Spyrou, National Archaeological Museum
Zarko Tankosic, Norwegian Institute at Athens
Fanis Mavridis, Ministry of Culture and Sports
