The Heraklion Archaeological Museum has been awarded a Special Commendation in the European Museum of the Year Award Scheme (EMYA) of the European Museum Forum (EMF), held in Zagreb, Croatia, on 3-6 May 2017. The EMF Awards go to European museums that demonstrate a high level of professionalism and excellence in the experiential presentation of their collections, exploiting the possibilities offered by modern technology, and to the museums that attract a broader audience through various inclusive actions promoting European ideals and the wider benefit to society.
On Monday 24th April 2017, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between QHZA and FORTH STEP-C regarding the possibility of extensive future collaboration in several different fields. In the framework of the visit of the distinguished Chinese representatives, demonstration of AmI technologies and interactive systems was part of the agenda.
Just like we need to exercise our body muscles to be healthy and strong, so we need to exercise our creativity in order to keep it in a good shape and not let it weaken as years go by. The Creative Thinking Gymnastics (CTGs) is an engaging and fun participative experience which large multigenerational groups can enjoy together. It comprises a series of entertaining exercises coaching many major ‘muscle groups’ of creative thinking (e.g., curiosity, imagination, open-mindedness, inventiveness, unconventionality, stupidity, nonsense). All exercises use commonplace and inexpensive materials such as a pen, blank sheets of paper, paper napkins, etc.
The program has been presented in several schools both in Greece and abroad. On March 31st, 2017, it participated in the Athens Science Festival 2017 in Technopolis Gazi, Greece.
The opening ceremony of Messara Valley Tourist Information Center was held on Sunday, March 19th 2017 in the Saint Nektarios Cultural Center.
Stavros Arnaoutakis, the Regional Governor of Crete, officially launched the new Center, which is now open to the public after a year of pilot operation.
On Tuesday the 28th of February 2017, the U.S. Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic Geoffrey R. Pyatt was given a tour of FORTH and especially AmI facility of FORTH-ICS. The demostration included interactive systems developed for cultural heritage organizations, tourist information facilities and the promotion of traditional Cretan products.
The Ambassador of Argentine Republic, Ms Carolina Pérez Colman showed particular interest in the Ambient Intelligence technologies demonstrated in the AmI Programme facility. The Ambassador outlined Argentine research objectives and highlighted the emphasis placed on research in recent years. The Ambassador pointed out the similarities between the two countries and expressed the desire of a scientific cooperation development in various fields of common interest.
Media Gallery was featured in the Union of Heraklion (Uniher S.A.) booth in the “SIAL Paris, International Food Exhibition” from 16 to 20 October 2016. Sial Fair 2016 was a great chance for Uniher S.A. to present its whole product range in a B2B audience worldwide. True Cretan extra virgin olive oil with its unique color, aromas and exquisite taste, a pure product from Crete’s farmers – producers managed to fascinate even the most demanding tasters.
The interactive system Stater 3602, which allows the public to become familiar with selected ancient coins from the Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection, is in operation at the ALPHA BANK – CULTURE store.
