Korka Wildfires In Greece

12th US/ICOMOS International Symposium - March 11-15, 2009 in New Orleans

Wildfires in Ancient Olympia, Greece: A Threat and a Challenge 12 March 2009 New 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 26th of August, the residents of this historic 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, 2

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 the Kronios hill – the symbol of Olympia’s 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 citizens was 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) 3

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 24th 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 erosion and 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 forest’s 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 a unique 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 5

- 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 a series 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 of World 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 Sector and concentrated on: (a) the institutional framework and international policies on Disaster Risk Reduction (b) the impact of disasters on Cultural and Natural 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 Movable

Heritage, -

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 7

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 Heritage Monument 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 8

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 developing countries. 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. 9

(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 some guidelines 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)

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