Stories & News

Governor of the Bank of Greece at the British School at Athens

A special evening with Yannis Stournaras for BSA Supporters and special guests

On Thursday 3 October 2024, the British School at Athens was honoured to hold a special evening with the Governor of the Bank of Greece, Professor Yannis Stournaras. The lecture, held in the atmospheric surroundings of the BSA library, was hosted by the Chair of Council, Professor Sir Roderick Beaton, and the Director, Professor Rebecca Sweetman, in the presence of His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic, Matthew Lodge.

Yannis Stournaras shared invaluable insights into the Greek economy, past, present and future, and expressed optimism regarding Greece’s economic trajectory. He reflected on the transformation from the financial crisis of the 2010s to the current achievement of investment-grade status—a statement of the significant economic recovery and growth. The enthusiastic audience of leaders in business and BSA supporters had the opportunity to ask the Governor questions about Greece’s exciting future.

Audience of BSA Supporters and members of the business community in Greece

The Director showcased the School’s diverse range of activities and academic initiatives, highlighting current projects at the Fitch Laboratory, the BSA Arts Bursary, and the hosting of the inaugural Michael Marks Foundation poets in residence, alongside its current fieldwork projects in Knossos and Keros. Another focus was the BSA’s current development priorities, including modernising digital infrastructure, digitising its archives and endowing staff positions, building on the successful fundraising campaign to construct a new Stratigraphical Museum at the BSA’s Knossos Research Centre, thanks to a transformative gift from the Packard Humanities Institute. Ambassador Lodge provided an insightful overview of UK-Greek collaborations and highlighted how the BSA serves as an essential institution promoting research and collaboration between the UK and Greece. The Chair of Council gave the closing remarks, thanking the Governor for his insights and giving praise for his understanding of Greek history, which informed the steady steering of the financial ship of state through the turbulent waters of recent years. The Governor’s lecture provided great inspiration to the business leaders in attendance and to the School towards securing its own future. 

The evening drew attendance from leading companies, including Terna, Minoan Lines, and the British Hellenic Chamber of Commerce. We were delighted to welcome back Lou Kollakis, whose long standing support has made a significant impact on the BSA’s facilities over the past two decades, including for the new Kollakis Librarian position for 2024-26.

A reception followed in the garden of the Director’s residence, the Upper House built in 1886. Muses Estate kindly sponsored our evening reception in this beautiful setting, which successfully fostered connections within the business community in Greece. Attendees expressed their enthusiasm for engaging with the BSA staff from various departments, including the Archive, Library, and Fitch Laboratory, as well as with fellows and researchers.

This special event is indicative of the BSA’s increasingly diverse interests and aims to forge stronger connections in Greece. Its success reinforced the importance of economic growth and recovery in creating new opportunities for collaboration, ultimately supporting the BSA’s mission in research and celebration of culture in Greece.

photographs: Andreas Schoinas © British School at Athens