The five-member delegation from the Shanghai Municipal Archives, led by Shi Lei, Deputy Director-General, was welcomed by the Head of the Municipal and Historical Archives of the City of Athens, Vasiliki Sfika. Executive staff from both institutions participated in the working meeting, which aimed at the exchange of expertise in archival material management. During the discussions, common challenges in the preservation, organization, and scholarly utilization of urban historical sources were highlighted, particularly in light of the ongoing digital transition and the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in archival practice.
The Chinese delegation presented the multifaceted scope of the Shanghai Municipal Archives’ collections, which constitute one of the most significant and advanced archival repositories in China. As highlighted, the Shanghai Archives hold over six million volumes and items, documenting the city’s history from its opening as an international port to the present day. All of these historical documents have been inscribed on the China Archives Document Heritage List. Furthermore, it was stated that the Archives continuously expand the availability of records through the city’s online platform, operating a remote “virtual window” for live online assistance to the public. Additionally, the institution serves as a nationally designated educational site for school-age learners and operates as a municipal-level center for civic and heritage education.
On behalf of the Municipal and Historical Archives of the City of Athens, the pivotal role of the department in safeguarding the institutional memory of the modern and contemporary Greek capital was highlighted, with special reference to the multifaceted wealth of its collections. At the same time, current initiatives focused on the educational utilization of archival material were extensively presented, such as programs implemented in Athenian schools, as well as actions within the
framework of intergenerational learning and oral history. Moreover, emphasis was placed on the open policies actively promoted by the Athens Archives through institutional Memoranda of Cooperation with national research organizations and academic institutions, aiming to broaden accessibility for the academic community and the general public.
The meeting concluded in an excellent atmosphere, with the executive staff of both institutions committing to maintaining open channels of communication. Concurrently, possibilities for future collaborations regarding the exchange of best practices in the conservation, digitization, and promotion of archival collections were extensively discussed. This visit reaffirms the dynamic role of municipal archives as contemporary hubs of cultural diplomacy and international institutional cooperation.
