The Municipality of Athens and the National Hellenic Research Foundation (NHRF) have entered into a significant partnership aimed at the preservation, study, and broader promotion of the capital’s historical heritage. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Thursday, July 9, 2026, by the Mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, and the President of the Board of Directors of the NHRF, Professor Dimosthenis Sarigiannis.
The agreement formalizes the close collaboration between the Department of the Municipal and Historical Archives of the City of Athens and the Institute of Historical Research (IHR) of the NHRF. The central axis of this synergy is the utilization of primary archival sources for the study of the modern and contemporary history of Athens (19th-21st centuries) through interdisciplinary research and scientific documentation.
Mr. Doukas and Mr. Sarigiannis stated, among other things, the following:
Haris Doukas, Mayor of Athens: “The Municipal and Historical Archives of the Municipality of Athens, possessing documents from the early years of the capital’s establishment, constitutes the living memory of our city. Our goal through this strategic cooperation is the substantial scientific utilization of this unique archival repository and its absolute openness. We want our archives to be fully accessible to the research community, to students, and to every citizen, ensuring that the history of Athens remains open and available to all.”
Professor Dimosthenis Sarigiannis, President of the NHRF Board of Directors: “The partnership between the Institute of Historical Research and the Historical Archive of the Municipality of Athens opens new horizons in historical research. By utilizing innovative technological applications, modern methodological tools, and best practices in digital management, we aim at the electronic enrichment and promotion of the archival collections. The high expertise of the IHR will decisively contribute not only to the documentation of the material but also to the international networking of the Archives with corresponding leading institutions abroad.”
The framework of the collaboration includes, among other things, the implementation of joint research programs, the support of academic research, as well as the organization of educational activities, conferences, and historical exhibitions. Simultaneously, the exchange of expertise in archival science and digital management is foreseen, ensuring that the historical wealth of the Municipality of Athens will be safeguarded with due responsibility, utilizing the most modern research methods.
