A priceless 14th-century Byzantine icon, which was stolen from a monastery in northern Greece 30 years ago and wound up in the possession of a London-based art collector a few years back, has been returned to Greece, the Culture Ministry announced yesterday.
The painting, depicting Christ being lowered from the cross by John the Baptist, disappeared from a monastery in the northern town of Serres in 1978. Presenting the religious icon, Culture Minister Mihalis Liapis said it was proof of the coordinated efforts of all those striving to preserve Greece's cultural heritage.
The painting is currently undergoing restoration work at the Byzantine and Christian Museum in Athens, and will subsequently be returned to the John the Baptist Monastery in Serres.
THE CULTURE AGENDA
Thessaloniki Film Fest: Kitano Wins Golden Alexander
Acclaimed Japanese director Takeshi Kitano has won the Golden Alexander, the top prize at the annual Thessaloniki International Film Festival, during an awards ceremony at the port city's landmark Olympion Theatre on Tuesday. A screening of Kitano's winning entry followed, titled "Achilles and the Tortoise."
See also: Oliver Stone's Masterclass & Emir Kusturica @ concert
Greek News Agenda: The 48th Thessaloniki International Film Festival
Secretariat General of Information: About Greece-Festivals & Cultural Events 
Em-bracing Culture
"The bracelet - Neo-Hellenic and ethnic 19th-20th century" exhibition at the Hellenic Cosmos Cultural Centre of the Foundation of the Hellenic World features more than 200 bracelets from Greece and abroad, part of the collection of University of Athens professor, Katerina Korre-Zografou.
Beyond the aesthetic value, the exhibition traces the trajectory of each jewel, revealing its socio-cultural dimension as an object. The exhibition runs from November 10 through May 2009.
“Shakespear” in Corfu…
John Davenport Shakespear’s collection of photographs of the island of Corfu from the middle of the 19th century, donated by his family to the Greek state in 2005 goes on permanent display at the Mon Repos residence – a former royal palace on Corfu, which has become a museum of antiquities in recent years.
Shakespear was a British officer who, between 1856 and 1860 lived on the island, where he met artist Eduard Lear who sold him his photography equipment.
Kathimerini daily: Images of mid-19th-century Corfu on permanent display at Mon Repos
Printmaking on Display
The Technopolis Art Complex of Athens is hosting a display of works by major Greek printmakers from November 19 to December 14, titled "Panorama of Greek prints."
The aim of the exhibition – organised by the Chamber of Fine Arts of Greece - is to raise the public’s awareness regarding printmaking, highlighting its evolution and contribution as an independent form of art. Over 500 works by 150 artists will be on display and there is also a special section devoted to the work of deceased artists.
Source: Greek News Agenda
