The Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) has just announced a historic agreement with the National Library of Greece (NGL), that is to be relocated this year to its new premises at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation for Culture.
Dr Philippos Tsimpoglou, Director of the National Library spent over three hours guiding GCM president Bill Papastergiadis and general secretary Costas Markos through the new library premises in the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, where it will soon be relocated.
Also in attendance was Professor Nikos Papastergiadis of the University of Melbourne.
"The director of NLG, Mr Tsimpoglou, was keen to engage with the Greek diaspora. For Mr Tsimpoglou, this initiative with the GCM falls precisely within the NLG's Charter," Mr Papastergiadis, said.
Following three meetings facilitated by the Member for Karditsa Chrysoula Katsavria-Sioropoulou over the course of last year the GCM reached an agreement with the NLG.
Meanwhile, the GCM made it clear that it aims to have its new Global Greek Diaspora Library ready by early 2018.
The Greek side committed to provide every possible assistance to the initiative and is open to new collaborations.
"The NLG will open its doors to our members via the new library we are creating at the Greek Centre. Among other things, our members will be able to access the National Library's archives including over 50 original handwritten Bibles and numerous other historical texts," said Papastergiadis.
"Maintaining, chronicling our literature, history and culture are the building blocks for the GCM. This new Global Greek Diaspora Library will be a key part of the Greek Centre and will attract visitors from around the world."
Mr Papastergiadis said he was extremely impressed with the new premises of the National Library and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation in general, and was excited by the possibilities of cooperation between the NLG and the library of diaspora that will be created by the GCM.
"We are very pleased with the agreement. Not only our members, but also the whole Greek community and especially Modern Greek students will benefit. The agreement opens a new communication channel with Greece and the Greek diaspora," Mr Markos said, expressing his satisfaction with the agreement.
Source: neoskosmos.com