back Back

The project

Project: “OLKAS: “From the Aegean to the Black Sea” – medieval Ports in the Maritime Routs of the East.”

The aim of the “Olkas” project is the promotion of the medieval city –ports of the Black Sea and the cultural heritage preserved in them, in order to contribute to the development of the cultural tourism of the area. This development tents to highlight the cultural, tourist and economic relations in the region, through the medieval monuments preserved. The monuments, movable and immovable, reflect the historical, social, economic and cultural conditions in which culture has been developed. They are also the living witnesses which testify the contacts between these regions. Through the sea routes have been succeed the communication between coastal cities of Black Sea and Aegean with the capital of the Byzantine Empire, Constantinople. These roads, which have been circulated by merchants, soldiers, artists, travelers, pilgrims etc, became a direct way for the transmission of goods, products, ideas, values and artistic trends which have greatly influenced the cultural heritage. The highlight of this communication and association of the cities is the aim of the project "Olkas."
The project is co-funded by the European program «Joint Operational Program" BLACK SEA 2007-2013"» and by national resources, and it is coordinated by the European Centre of Byzantine and Post Byzantine Monuments (E.K.B.M.M.). Through the project "Olkas" has already been established a network of bodies representing the countries around the Black Sea (Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine and Georgia) which focus on the study and the  promotion of the medieval heritage preserved.
Partners of EKBMM in this project are 7 institutions from 6 countries: Cultural Center of Thessaloniki (GR), Istanbul University (TU), Cultural Awareness Foundation (TU), Varna Regional Museum (BU), Museum for National History and Archaeology for Constanta (RO), Branch for the Hellenic Foundation for Culture in Odessa (UK) and "G. Chubinashvili" National Research Centre for Georgian Art History and Heritage Preservation (GE). In addition, there are 4 associate partners: Russian National Committee for Black Sea Economic Cooperation (RU), Committee for Preservation of Cultural Heritage (UK), Institute of Archaeology “V.Parnan” of the Romanian Academy (RO) and Administration of State Historical – Architectural Reserve “Icherisheher” under  the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan  (AZ).
  Among the activities included in this project are: the documentation of the selected ports in a data base, the production of a documentary film, the organization of a portable photo-exhibition, the creation of a website, the implementation of some educational programs for students, the exchange of the experience and the expertise through conferences and workshops and the organization of an International Symposium in Thessaloniki.
 

Leaflet outside 

Leaflet inside

 

Development and Cooperation - EUROPEAID

Black Sea Cross Border Cooperation



back Back
This website has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of European Centre for Byzantine and Post-Byzantine monuments and can in no way reflect the views of the European Union