December 1st, when I decided to start publishing “The M@ttia Project” through the call for interesting teasers, is not a random date for me. While researching (for my master’s degree) – the leaflets of the newspaper To Vima, among other newspapers – I discovered an entry for the Greek “Theatre Museum” (founded in 1938 by the Association of Greek Playwrights) and the issues they have been suffering from it ever since. The date of the brochure was December 1st, 1985. Reading it in December 2015, 30 years had passed, and I was surprised to find that the problems with the passage of time in the “Theatre Museum” of Greece, just grew and grew, leading it, at the end of 2012, to his death (closure).
Theatre Museum - Greek PressI had already realized how important this was not only for Greece but Internationally, as the Theatre Museum also housed the Center for the Study and Research of the Greek Theater and that is why in 2017 I mentioned in my master’s thesis “History and Action of the Cooporative Theatrical Troupes of O.E.TH-S.E.I.: 1990-1996” when I was a master student in the Department of Theatre Studies of the University of Athens entitled “From the text to the stage. Greek theater in dialogue with the world”. That was the reason why I mentioned the following in my introductory note: “As far as the present primary research is concerned, the search for the material has confirmed the need for young researchers in the field of theater, with tools that unfortunately in the current economic situation, seem like an elusive dream. A valuable source, as already mentioned, was the Center for the Study and Research of the Greek Theatre (Theatre Museum), for years; but until now, it remains hermetically sealed, with archival collections deteriorating over time. ΄Breath΄, however, in this almost hostile environment for the researcher, is the archival material of Greek newspapers and magazines which is, in some cases, not just valuable, but the only source of data. The time when it will be a reality to digitize all the daily and periodical press, as well as the printed material, such as theatrical programs and which can be freely accessed, for any researcher via the internet, I believe will be a golden age, at least, for the science of theatre”.
My vision is for the establishment of the first Digital-Traditional Theatre Museum in the World to be “the most important World Museum of International Theatre”. My purpose is in no way to compete with any existing museum, such as the Greek “Theatre Museum” but to «use it», as it was done as a trigger and inspiration in creating a sustainable business that will have all the means to promote the Greek and World Theatre, as they deserve. Through the Digital-Traditional Theatre Museum in the World, I aspire to preserve the Cultural Heritage of the Theatre but also to use it for the benefit of people around the world, through interdisciplinary collaborations.