Since 1982 the ministry of culture and sciences has become active in promoting folk culture in Thrace. The interest taken by the ministry has concentrated mainly on a) the preservation of contemporary monuments of interest, b)the funding of services relating to folklore in Thrace. In this article the buildings and funding of their protection are mentioned. Also mentioned are the unveiling and giving over to the public of a three-aisled basilica and 11th century cemetery in Polystylon as is the continuing search for the discovery of Byzantine cities. This search is part of the European Science Foundation program. In 1984 a Byzantine baptistery was discovered in Thrace as were two 11th century Byzantine churches on mount Papikion of Rodopi.