A guide to the export and import of cultural goods between Russia ...

CHAPTER
Chapter 3: European Union Member States
Greece
Greece and Russia have been bound by strong cultural ties for more than a thousand
years. The driving force for the Greek cultural presence in Russia today is to sustain this
historic cultural footprint by using either existing art objects of Greek origin which are in
Russia or through cultural affinities between the two peoples.
This has been done, mainly in Moscow and Saint Petersburg, through a series of exhibitions,
concerts, theatre plays, films and international scientific congresses that, in one way
or another, reflect this type of cultural collaboration.
In the exhibitions, priority was given to the presentation, for the first time, of precious
material of a cultural or historical nature that had long remained in the reserves of Russian
museums, archives and libraries and was not known to the public. These exhibitions,
organised on relatively modest budgets, brought to public awareness some lesser known
or forgotten aspects of Greek – Russian historic and cultural relationships and deepened
the shared knowledge.
A number of concerts have been organised based on the same concept. With the contribution
of important Russian performers (orchestras, choruses, soloists) and Greek artists
who live and perform in Russia, a series of musical portraits of prominent Greek composers
(N. Skalkotas, Y. Christou, I. Xenakis, M. Theodorakis) and performers (M. Callas, D.
Mitropoulos) was presented.
Several theatre companies have been invited from Greece to stage ancient Greek tragedies.
Many Greek films have also been shown in film festivals and other contexts.
At the same time Russia has had an equally rich cultural presence in Greece through
similar events – concerts, exhibitions etc. A further element that strengthens cultural cooperation
between the two countries is the organisation of joint exhibitions around the
world, based on the famous Kostakis collection of Russian avant-garde painters, part of
which is in Greece and part in Russia.
WHAT LEGISLATION APPLIES TO THE IMPORT/EXPORT OF CULTURAL GOODS
BETWEEN GREECE AND RUSSIA?
NATIONAL
Law No 3028/2002 on the Protection of Antiquities and Cultural Heritage in general
GO 455B/2004: a) Procedure regarding import/movement and ownership of imported/
moved antiquities in compliance with Law 3028/02; b) Procedure regarding export/dispatch
of cultural goods from the Greek territory in compliance with Law 3028/02
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