korka wildfires in greece

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12th

US/ICOMOS International Symposium - March 11-15, 2009 in New Orleans

Wildfires in Ancient Olympia, Greece: A Threat and a Challenge

12 March 2009New Orleans

Presentation by Mrs. Elena Korka,

Director of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities,

Director for the Documentation and the Protection of Cultural Objects

Ministry of Culture, Greece

Ladies and Gentlemen, dear colleagues, (1)

I am particularly honored to be invited by the wonderful organizers to

participate in the 12th US/ICOMOS International Symposium, here, in

New Orleans, and to have the opportunity to share with you the

experience obtained recently in Greece by the Archaeological Service in

regard to the proper development of infrastructures and skills designed to

limit the risk of natural disasters. At the present day, this issue is one of

the most serious problems facing our Natural and Cultural Heritage.

Risk mitigation and the management of man-made and natural disasters

threatening our Heritage and are, today, a major challenge to the world

community especially, in view of the climate changes that are taking

place. (2)

It has been demonstrated that climate change causes extreme weather

conditions and at the same time helps to intensify the natural phenomena

that are striking various parts of the planet with ever-increasing

frequency, with a dramatic impact on the economy, society and

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environment. These disasters are the consequence of the lack of proper

management of the environment and uncontrolled human activity

World Heritage monuments are inevitably exposed to the these dangers.

It is a natural consequence therefore, that both international organisations

(such as UNESCO, ICOMOS, etc.) and national institutions in countries

which are sensitised and have suffered from natural disasters in recent

years, should unite their voices and actions in order to restrain such

hazards.

(3)

Greece is one of the countries that has experienced the force of nature in

the worst possible manner. Our country was almost called upon to be

reborn, like the phoenix from the ashes, after the devastating fires in

2007, which marked our society, and led to the loss of life, which is, of

course irreparable.

(4)At the end of the summer of 2007, in conditions of very high

temperatures, huge fires broke out on the 3rd

of August on many fronts in

the Peloponnese, in south-west Greece. These large-scale fires consumed

more than 150,000 hectares of forest and agricultural land in the span of

five days. The force and rapid spread of the fire suddenly threatened

Ancient Olympia, when, on the 26

th

of August, the residents of thishistoric town saw the flames ante portas.

(5)

In the meantime, mechanical and human resources fought to counter the

fire on all fronts in the Peloponnese, exhausting their resources in their

attempt to save the inhabitants of the region, the stock-raising units that

are its main economic source of income, and the natural environment.

They were up against the non-ceasing strong winds that blew in the area,

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constantly and uncontrollably changing the direction of the fire. The

clouds of smoke from the forests and from properties were so thick that it

was very difficult to see in which direction, and at what speed, the fire

was moving. These words were the testimony of the inhabitants of

Ancient Olympia who bravely fought to extinguish it.

(6)

On the site, the larger part of the vegetation was destroyed by the fire. At

the very last minute, nonetheless, the flames slept over the monuments

and did not affect them, as if by the hand of Zeus. Superhuman effort was

made by the local residents and the staff of the Archaeological Service of

Ancient Olympia, who worked all night defending their history and their

heritage. Unfortunately the press often gave the impression of complete

destruction.

(7)

The Archaeological Museum and the Sanctuary of Zeus remained

untouched. (8) However, the hills surrounding the Museum, including theKronios hill the symbol of Olympias natural environment were

completely burnt. The storage room of the German Archaeological

Institute was also burnt and the architectural members stored therein were

covered with soot.

(9)

On the following day, the intervention of the state and ordinary citizenswas immediate. The titanic task of restoring the environment of Olympia

began at once. After the consultation of the Central Archaeological

Council which delineated the terms and conditions for the proper

rehabilitation of the site, the project began. For the reforestation study the

texts of ancient Greek authors and 19th-century travellers, were used as

reference. Lysias used to write: The valley of Olympia is the most

beautiful place in the whole of Greece. (10)

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The beginning of 2008 found Ancient Olympia and the whole of the west

Peloponnese in a flurry of activity aimed at the immediate reparation of

the damage.

(11)

The landscape rehabilitation of the archaeological site was an objective of

national importance, given its significance for ancient Greek history and

also its outstanding global value as a World Heritage Monument.

Moreover, in view of the ceremony of the lighting of the Olympic flame

for the Games in Beijing, which took place on the 24 th of March 2008,

(12) a very strict rehabilitation programme was established. The timetable

exerted almost intolerable pressure on the teams in charge of the research

and the implementation of the projects for the reclamation of the

landscape.

(13)

Immediate measures were undertaken to protect the soil against erosionand floods, and to rehabilitate the vegetation through semination planting

and proper watering. Particular emphasis was given to the maintenance of

the geomorphology of the Kronios hill. The planting of a variety of trees

and bushes that once existed in the ancient oak forest will enhance the

forests resistance to fires, increase plant biodiversity, and restore the

structure of the ancient forest as far as possible.

In the course of six months, an enormous project unprecedented in

Greece was carried out, and today Olympia displays a new, optimistic

image. The charred landscape has been calmed, nature has been reborn.

Thousands of trees have been planted and are now growing, the earth is

becoming greener, environmental harmony and beauty is returning.

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Donors from Greece and abroad have sponsored new fire protection

systems, restoration works, new research projects and visitor facilities.

Now, at the beginning of 2009, Greece is in a position to assert, with the

experience of Olympia in mind, that time, patience and continuous efforts

will deliver a reborn Olympia to future generations.

The weakness of the existing fire-prevention system was fully identified

and conclusions were drawn as to what should be done in the future to

avoid such major disasters, both at Olympia and at other archaeological

sites in Greece. This experience may be useful for other World Heritage

monuments.

(14)

Clearly, in the case of a site such as Olympia, which is surrounded by

highly flammable Mediterranean vegetation, the outbreak of a major fire

every few decades is virtually certain. During the same year major fires

destroyed forests in Croatia, Italy and other countries. Every crisis is aunique case, involving difficult circumstances both for the monuments

and for the effective protection of visitors. For these reasons, the

personnel which serves and guards the site needs to be well-trained,

equipped and ready; The Olympia, project for rehabilitation included the

following components:

- close cooperation between local bodies (Fire Service, Civil Defence,Police, Forestry Service, Local Administration, and voluntary

organizations)

- the sensitization of the local population in order to secure its

cooperation in fire-prevention

- a new very powerful widely spread fire-extinguishing system and water

depots

- annual clearing to reduce the quantity and flammability of vegetation

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- the planting of less flammable species and

- provision of safety refuges for visitors and escape routes.

(15)

UNESCO, has adopted a Strategy on Risk Reduction at World Heritage

Properties, proposed during the World Heritage Committee in July 2006,

and approved in 2007, which concentrates on threats concerning the

integrity of world monuments, including natural disasters.

In this spirit, the World Heritage Centre developed a programme to

include Disaster Risk as a factor in the management of World Heritage

monuments, which at the same time, also involves familiarizing the

general public with this subject. It is for this reason that Ancient Olympia

was chosen as the venue for an International Workshop on the

Management of Disaster Risk to World Heritage Monuments. This

seminar, which is the outcome of collaboration between the Greek

Ministry of Culture and the World Heritage Centre, was the first in aseries of similar, future meetings to exchange views and technical

expertise on the crucial question of dealing with risks from manmade, as

well as natural disasters which, given the nature and extent of climate

change, is now common concern of all.

(16)

Many distinguished experts in the field of Management and Protection ofWorld Heritage Properties participated in the Workshop and shared their

knowledge and experience. The UNESCO workshop at Olympia was a

forum where many professionals from all over the world were able to

meet, exchange ideas and information, and offer their experience in

managing World Heritage sites stricken by natural disasters.

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The presentations were designed to highlight all the recently used

methods in the field of Disaster Risk Management at World Heritage

Properties. During the course of the work we examined a wide spectrum

of possible risks to monuments, such as earthquakes, landslides, floods,

fires, tsunami, etc., and methods were presented dealing with these

phenomena.

There was a special case study visit to the Site and Museum of Ancient

Olympia, after which participants were informed about the course of the

conservation and restoration works undertaken at the site after the

devastating fires of 2007.

(17)

We divided our work in three thematic sessions. The first was devoted to

Disaster Risk Reduction: The Global Context and the Heritage Sectorand

concentrated on: (a) the institutional framework and international policies

on Disaster Risk Reduction (b) the impact of disasters on Cultural andNatural Heritage Properties, existing policies and tools, problems and

perspectives and the methodology for reducing Disaster Risks. Other

important issues discussed were:

- climate change and its impact on Disaster Risk Management of

Cultural Heritage,

- the specificities of Disaster Risk Management of MovableHeritage,

- Risk Reduction in the World Heritage Context: the Strategy and

the Draft Programme proposed by UNESCO, as well as

- Capacity building in Disaster Risk Management.

The second session focused on the presentation of eleven case studies,

including the archaeological site of Olympia. Other cases presented were

from the following countries: Benin, Uganda, China, Japan, Nepal, the

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Czech Republic, Spain, Italy and Russia, which have in the past been

afflicted by natural disasters that have struck World Heritage Sites.

The first two sessions undoubtedly set the theoretical framework for the

third session, which was of greater interest and led to the

recommendations of the meeting. Discussions were carried out through

the organization of three working groups that focused on the topic of

The review of the structure and contents of the UNESCO Programme

for Disaster Risk Reduction at World Heritage Properties. Identification

of new elements and follow-up proposals.

(18)

The Olympia Workshop provided us with an opportunity to offer

recommendations on how to deal with disaster risk management of World

Heritage Monuments. The proceedings of the Workshop will soon be

published by UNESCO.

(19)

We came to the depressing conclusion that virtually no World HeritageMonument has a specific Disaster Risk Management Plan, and there was

little development of capacity building for risk management. This

happens because until recently climate changes were not regarded as

great risks to Heritage. Furthermore, the international field of risk

reduction has so far not been concerned with Heritage issues.

The need to integrate the protection of heritage within the wider global

context of risk reduction was strongly expressed through the

recommendations of the Olympia Workshop.

It is worth noting that it was suggested, as a preparatory activity, to map

parallel existing experiences through pilot sites- and proceed to twinning

arrangements. At the same time, it was proposed to encourage the

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dissemination of information derived from case studies. These should be

collected, made available and published. It was recommended, that the

pilot sites should include: sites that focus on a particular hazard (flood,

fire) and also others which combine several hazards (e.g. earthquake

followed by fire) large cities, etc.

Training programmes should be included as well.

It was deemed necessary to develop activities of an educational character

in collaboration with the advisory bodies to UNESCO (ICOMOS, ICOM,

ICCROM, and others); the involvement of young people in the protection

of Heritage; and the sensitization and familiarization of ordinary citizens

who, as we have seen, volunteer in times of crisis and make a vital

contribution to the preservation of Heritage.

It is therefore useful, at international level, to enter into bilateral

agreements aimed at devising programmes to support developingcountries.

Twinning would be important, particularly if it involves experts from

sites faced by similar risks. Interdisciplinary partnerships are key to the

success of the strategy for reducing disaster risk. At the level of funding,

the implementation of twinning arrangements between Governments and

local authorities could be helpful.(20)

The Greek proposal that there should be an International Day for Disaster

Risk Reduction was accepted by the experts taking part, who recognized

the impact it might have in the enhancement of the management of the

such risks. The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction will be

proposed at the next session of the World Heritage Committee, and the

day chosen is October 14.

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(21)

On the occasion of this meeting here in New Orleans, we call upon all

representatives of states, institutions and citizens to embrace the initiative

of this specific day and carry out activities and information campaigns

relating to risk mitigation and the management of disasters.

(22)-(23)

For Greece and the Greek Ministry of Culture, the wildfires in Ancient

Olympia were a threat to the history of the site and its heritage, since the

efforts to preserve the ancient history of Olympia have made an indelible

mark on its modern history. They were at the same time, however, a

challenge to rescue the archaeological site and restore the image of this

important World Heritage monument.

(24)

I would like to close with the wish that the experience of Olympia, which

I have had the opportunity to share with you today, and especially the

recommendations from the Olympia Workshop, will supply someguidelines for effective synergies by all of us in dealing with the common

issue of disaster risk management of our natural and cultural heritage.

Thank you all (25)

korka wildfires in greece

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