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Finnish Institute at Athens

Scientific institute of Finland

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The institute opened in 1984, which makes it the second oldest scientific institute of Finland operating abroad. The current director of the institute is Petra Pakkanen (2021–). The institute's operations are sustained and founded by the Foundation of the Finnish Institute at Athens.

History

Founding

Nils Oker-Blom, the rector of the University of Helsinki, suggested in 1982, that Finland should open an institute in Athens, similar to the Finnish Institute in Rome which had been operating from Villa Lante since 1954. Behind the initiative was also the honorary consul of Finland in Athens, Konstantinos Lazarakis. The Foundation of the Finnish Institute at Athens was founded in 1983 for the purpose of furthering this initiative and gathering the funding for it; it was added to the Finnish trade register in 1984. Donations were received from a range of supporters: businesses, other foundations, and universities. Initially, some in the field of Classics in Finland were suspicious of the project, due to fears of the new institute depriving Villa Lante of its funding.

The institute began its operations in 1984, with Paavo Castrén as its director. At first the institute was situated in a modest apartment in Makrygianni district that also served as the director's residence. The Finns received significant help in terms of practicalities from the Swedish Institute at Athens. At the time of the Finnish institute's founding, there were archaeological institutes from 12 other countries operating in Athens. The institute received the status of scientific (archaeological) institute on 14 May 1985; its formal opening was organized at the Academy of Athens.

The operations of the institute became more established during the tenure of its second director, Jaakko Frösén. The institute has received national funding from Veikkaus since 1987.

New premises

Acquiring proper premises for the institute had become relevant by 1987. It was at this stage that a turn-of-the-century townhouse situated in Zítrou 16 was acquired, but it required careful renovation that took several years. In addition, a new apartment for the director was acquired in 1991 from the Karyátidon street nearby.

Housing for the students was first organised at a pension called Penelope, which was rented nearby in collaboration with the Swedish Institute. In 1994 Nikólaos G. Koronaíos donated an entire apartment building to serve as the institute's own guesthouse. This so-called Koroneos-building was opened for use in 1999.

From early on, it was also thought desirable that a joint scientific library would be founded together with other Nordic institutes. This is how the Nordic Library at Athens, located near the institute, was born. It was opened in 1995.

Start of scientific activities

Before the institute's own fieldwork projects, Finnish researchers acquired fieldwork experience by taking part in Greek and other Nordic institutions' excavations through the Finnish Institute. The institute's own archaeological excavations started in 1999 in Paliámpela near Aréthousa.Subsequent field projects will be outlined below at the section 'Operations'.

Directors

  • Paavo Castrén (1984–1988)
  • Jaakko Frösén (1988–1992)
  • Henrik Lilius (1992)
  • Gunnar af Hällström (1993–1995)
  • Kirsti Simonsuuri (1995–1997)
  • Olli Salomies (1997–2000)
  • Leena Pietilä-Castrén (2000–2004)
  • Björn Forsén (2004–2007)
  • Martti Leiwo (2008–2013)
  • Jari Pakkanen (2013–2017)
  • Björn Forsén (2018–2020)
  • Petra Pakkanen (2021–)

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