The project is co-funded by Greece and the European Union (European Social Fund) through the Operational Program “Human Resources Development, Education and Lifelong Learning, NSRF 2014-2020″.
– Quiet, please! This is a serious matter, said the flower leader. Now our colors are bright and fresh because the mansion is brand new. But what will happen when it gets old and the walls get sooty? What will we do if the roof leaks and we drown, if a wall falls down or we fade from the sun, or …
The leader was interrupted by the voices of two young flowers arguing with each other.
– Will you stop looking in the mirror already, my little brother? Your petals are fine. They’re all alive. Concentrate on our conversation, please. It’s a matter of concern to all of us.
– No way! answered the proud little flower. Isn’t it enough that you woke me up at the crack of dawn, do I have to waste my time on your concerns? After all, if you all took care of yourselves like I do with proper nutrition, lots of water and regular exercise, you would keep your petals fresh and healthy forever.
– I’m calling you snobbish!
-Me? I may be the flashiest flower, an aristocratic baroque flower of European descent, but -you know- such gatherings bore me.
An even smaller flower who heard the conversation asked his dad hesitantly and curiously:
– Dad, what did he say it was? Baroque? What is it?
– Baroque, my little flower, is an elaborate and impressive artistic style. It can be seen in Europe from the 1600s to the 1700s in painting, sculpture and architecture. Such works of art can be found in churches, monasteries, and palaces. With their rich decoration of vivid colors and luxurious materials, they create strong emotions in people. Our mansion, for example, was decorated in 1759, so its paintings have many elements of Baroque art, such as these decorative frames in stucco that make the wall paintings rich and impressive.
– What about the other styles I keep hearing about, Byzantine and Ottoman art? Didn’t these styles give the artists any ideas for decorating the mansion?
– Of course they did. Don’t forget that Greek artists of the Ottoman Empire have been copying these styles for many years, so they got a lot of their ideas from these local styles. It’s just that the artists traveling in Europe are usually impressed by the richness of the Baroque and put many such elements into their painting and architecture.
Remember also that the love and nostalgia of Greek artists for the Byzantine glory was very strong. Therefore, if you notice the paintings in the house, the marble and wooden sculpture, you will see many symbols from both Byzantine and Ottoman art. Crosses, two-headed eagles, dragons, churches, rosettes, geometric shapes and many other designs that helped the artists create an impressive and beautiful mansion, but also preserve their history and tradition.
While dad was chatting with his little flower, the argument between the two brothers continued.
– Snob!
– No, I’m not. Stop calling me that.
– You’re a flower like all of us. It doesn’t matter if you’re baroque or anything else. What matters is that we all make the mansion beautiful.
– You may tell me whatever you want, I will only believe Mama. Mama, tell him.
– That’s enough, said the mother of flowers! Stop it, both of you. The leader has something very important to tell us and we all need to pay attention.
– I think that no matter how much we ponder, we won’t be able to find a solution… continued the leader. How do you deal with time? Hopefully, even as the years go by and we grow old, there will always be people who care about us, love us, and will make sure we stay bright and beautiful for longer.
EPHORATE OF ANTIQUITIES OF KOZANI
Archaeological Museum of Aiani
50150, Aiani Kozani
efakoz [at] culture.gr
The project is co-funded by Greece and the European Union (European Social Fund) through the Operational Program “Human Resources Development, Education and Lifelong Learning, NSRF 2014-2020″.
