Region of Thessaly aims at restoring the Ancient Theater A of Larissa and the theater of Fthiotides of Thiva

Two important monuments of Thessaly enter the next phase as all necessary studies have been completed and their restoration process is already proceeding. More specifically, these are ancient theater A of Larissa and the ancient theater of Fthiotides of Thiva in Mikrothives. The relevant studies were presented and the next steps of the process were discussed at a meeting of the Regional Governor of Thessaly Mr. Kostas Agorastos and the Head of “Diazoma” Mr. Stavros Benos. The meeting was also attended by the Head of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Larissa, Mrs. Stavroula Sordia, archaeologist Mr. Thanasis Tzafalias and the member of Diazoma Mr. N. Chatzidakis.

Mr. St. Benos said after the meeting: “I am very happy to present today the study for the ancient theaters of Larissa and Fthiotides of Thiva. This is a historical step for our association and consists the first phase of this great journey, which aims to highlight and protect the world’s largest Hellenistic theater within the urban fabric, the Ancient Theater A of Larissa. At the same time, we had the opportunity to discuss the theater of Mikrothives. There, with the help of the Regional Government and the funding of 100,000 euros, excavations have been carried out and the study was completed after being approved by the Central Archaeological Council. With the full support of Thessaly’s Regional Governor, we are full of expectations before the next phase that will make us experience the restoration of these monuments.”

Mr. K. Agorastos said: “It is time to see culture giving Thessaly added value. We are already in constant contact with all relevant entities — Ministry of Culture, Ephorates of Antiquities, Diazoma association and generally with all involved parties – which will allow us to launch the project Measure for Culture under the NSRF 2014-2020. The Measure will make possible to integrate both the Ancient Theater A of Larissa and the Ancient Theater of Fthiotides of Thiva into the NSRF for their restoration. Our goal is to make cultural monuments accessible to citizens and visitors, within a context that respects their status and emphasizes the dialectical relationship of the past with the present. We are ready to embrace the study for Thessaly’s Integrated Territorial Investment for Culture that aspires to create a strategic framework for the interconnection of all the important monuments of Thessaly, which will benefit the local community and the economy”.