Dr. George Kakavas is the Director of the Numismatic Museum of Greece.
Main achievements:
Curating Exhibitions in a form of Visual Dialogues between Ancient and Contemporary Art.
“Medals of the Greek Independence”, Athens 2021-2022. Under the Patronage of H.E., the
President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou. Supported by the Embassy of the
Republic of Slovenia, the Bank of Greece and the Banknote Printing Works of the Bank of Greece
(IETA). This temporary exhibition has been captured in a 360° virtual tour.“Salamis 2020. 2500 Years of Light”, Athens 2020-2021. Funded by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture. “Fruits and Symbols”, Athens 2019. Funded by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports. “A visual dialogue between Ancient Artefacts and Modern Greek Jewels”, MAD, New York 2019. Supported by the Enterprise Greece SA and the platform “A Jewel Made in Greece”. “Hercules. Eternal and Timeless Hero”, Athens 2018. Supported by the Alpha Bank. “Aphrodite Liti. Owls and the Athenian Democracy. From Ancient Numismatics to Contemporary Sculpture. An art discourse”, Athens 2018. Funded by the artist.
Organizing International Conference:
“Art for Tomorrow, talks with convene artists and experts to look closely at these issues,
exploring the social and economic impact of art”, Roundtable discussions, National Gallery,
Athens 16-21 June 2022, in association with the New York Times.
“Future-proofing Numismatics in Museums. Issues of Conservation and Collection
Management”, Athens 3-6 October 2018. Under the Auspices of H.E., the President of the Hellenic
Republic Mr. Prokopios Pavlopoulos. Supported by the Bank of Greece, the Alpha Bank, the Acropolis
Museum, ICOMON and ICOM Hellenic National Committee.
Museum director (29/10/2014 – 01/02/2018)
Epigraphic and Numismatic Museum, Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports, Athens (Greece).
Main achievements:
EU funded projects (National Strategic Reference Framework 2007-2013)
Project entitled “Repair works, re-exhibition and rearrangement of the exhibits in the premises of the
Epigraphic Museum of Athens” (original budget 440,000.00 €; final cost 428,160.15 €, presenting an
absorption of funds of 97.3%). The project was completed in December 2015 and officially launched
on May 25, 2017. Legal representative of the Institution.
Global Fine Arts Awards:
The exhibition “Pergamon and the Hellenistic Kingdoms of the Ancient World”, of which I was
one of the main organizers, was presented at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and was
recognized as the “Best Exhibition of Ancient Art” for 2016 among 78 nominations and 2000
exhibitions from 22 countries. At the performance ceremony of the Global Fine Arts Awards it won the
First Prize of the Association of Art Museum Curators & AAMC Foundation (New York, May 8, 2017).
Curating Exhibitions
“Olympic Flame 2016”, an Art exhibition with sculptural creations by Greek artists inspired by the
journey of the Olympic Flame, Athens 2016. Under the Auspices of ICOM Hellenic National
Committee and Hellenic National Commission for UNESCO.
“Where silver was born. Athenian Archaic Coinage: Mines, Metals and Coins”, Athens 2015-
2016. Supported by the Australian Government, the Australian Research Council, the Macquarie
University, Australian Centre for Ancient Numismatic Studies, the Alpha Bank and Orphee Beinoglou
International Forwarders S.A.
“Antinous”, Athens 2015. Under the Auspices of ICOM Hellenic National Committee. Supported by
the Direction Business Network, the UNI-PHARMA Pharmaceutical Laboratories S.A., individual
artists.
Organizing International Conferences:
International 2-days Symposium on Numismatics “Mando Oeconomides”, Athens April 20-21
2016. Under the Auspices of H.E., the President of the Hellenic Republic Mr. Prokopios Pavlopoulos.
Supported by the Archaeological Society in Athens and the Friends of the Numismatic Museum.
“Mines, Metals and Coins in Attica and the Ancient World”, Athens April 20-22, 2015. Funded by the Australian Research Council, the Australian Centre for Ancient Numismatic Studies, the Macquarie University and the Alpha Bank.
Re-exhibition:
Re-Exhibition of the Donors Gallery “Andreas Bouzas in the chorus of the Numismatic Museum’s
great donors”, Athens 2017. Funded by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports. Supported by the
Friends of the Numismatic Museum. This notable donation consists of 2800 gold and bronze, mainly Ptolemaic and Byzantine, coins.
Curating cultural and artistic events:
Tribute to Maria Callas. “I lived for art, I lived for love”, a concert with Musica del Cuore, Athens
September 8, 2017. Funded by the Region of Central Greece.
“La Farsa Monea”, an artistic event in the framework of the International Art Exhibition – Documenta
14, which included three performances, in an artistic dialogue with an exhibition of coins and symbols,
AthensApril 19 – 21, 2017. Starring the events was the leading flamenco dancer Israel Galvan, the
musician and pioneer singer Paco Nino de Elche, the famous pianist Alejandro Rojas-Marcos, while
the inspirer of the whole action was the multi-talented artist-director-choreographer Pedro G. Romero.
Funded by the city of Kassel and the state of Hesse.
“Good will toward men”, a Christmas gala with a concert of Contemporary Tone Music, by the
ensembles “IERAX”, for the members and relatives of the Georgios & Aikaterini Hatzikonsta
Foundation, Athens December 29, 2016. Supported by the platform A Jewel Made in Greece.
In the opening of the exhibition “Antinous”, an artistic event was presented. The well-known composer
Phoebus Valachis played in the piano his work “Antinous. The Triptych of Love: MeetingMomentum-Mourning”, the actors Maria Tsaroucha, Christos Liakopoulos and Timotheos Thanos
performed a dramatization of Fernando Pessoa’s poem “Antinous” and Ivan Netsistailenko danced “Antinous” choreographed by Petros Gallias. Athens 19 May 2015.
Museum acting director (05/11/2012 – 28/10/2014)
National Archaeological Museum, Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports, Athens (Greece).
Main achievements:
Curating Exhibitions.
“Classicità ed Europa. The Common Destiny of Greece and Italy”, Rome and Athens 2014.
Masterpieces from Italian and Greek Museums in the context of the successive Presidency of the
Council of the European Union by Italy and Greece. Funded by the Repubblica Italiana and the
Hellenic Republic. Sponsored by the Archaeological Receipts Fund.
“Leaving a Mark on History – Treasures from Greek Museums”, National Institute of Archaeology
with Museum – Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia 2013-2014. Under the auspices of the
Embassy of Greece in Sofia. Sponsored by the Alpha Bank, the Onassis Foundation, the Norwegian
Institute of Athens, the Non-profit organisation Alliance for Greece, the Aegean and theAmerican
Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA).
“Olympic Games: past – present”…, Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, Doha, March – July 2013.
Funded by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and the Qatari Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage.
“Offering. Greek Contemporary Artists at the National Archaeological Museum”, Athens 2013.
Fifty-seven Greek artists exhibited their works in the museum galleries to auction them for a noble
purpose, the support of the museum. Sponsored by the Non-profit organisation Alliance for Greece,
the Militos Editions and individual artists.
Curating educational programs, cultural and artistic events:
“Morning Concerts of Greek Bands in the Hall of the Altar”, Athens 2014. Sponsored by the
artists.
“Music God’s Creation”, Athens 2014. Educational Program for primary school students.
“Learning about the values of the Olympic Games. From Olympia to Athens”, Plovdiv and Sofia
2013-2014. Educational Programme in the context of the exhibition “Leaving a Mark on History –
Treasures from Greek Museums”.
“J. Joshua Garrick, Seeking the Ancient Kallos”, Athens 2013-2014. Exhibition of photographs
with ancient statues taken by the philhellene artist Garrick and printed in aluminum DiBond.
Sponsored by the Municipality of Orlando, USA and the Jai Gallery.
“Time, form, concept”, Athens 2013. Exhibition with sculptures by the artist Aggelika Korovessi.
“Today’s mosaics”, Athens 2013. Exhibition with mosaic panels by the artist DaphneAngelidou.
13/02/2012–28/10/2014 Museum director
Numismatic Museum, Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports, Athens (Greece).
Main achievements:
Participating in the Google Art Project.
In response to the challenge of the new digital, interactive applications, the Numismatic Museum was
the first state museum in Greece to partner with Google Art Project. Incurring no public expense, a
total of 215 unique masterpieces in the museum’s collections are presented on Google’s digital
platform, showcasing the Museum’s dynamic international presence in the cultural scene (2012).
Participating in the International Federation of Finance Museums.
A turning point in the Numismatic Museum’s activity was the invitation it received in 2013 by the
International Federation of Finance Museums (IFFM) to participate in the international conference
entitled “Finance Museums Throughout the World Unite to Promote Financial Literacy Globally”, held
in New York. This conference was a great opportunity for the museum, which constantly seeks new
ways to reach the international scientific community, to communicate its groundbreaking work to a
large audience, showcasing not only the leading role it plays in science, society and education, but
also highlighting the fact that this is a profitable state museum, an integral part of contemporary Greek
history supported by generous individuals and entities that readily contribute to the troubled culture
sector. Our presence there was a tribute as well as a small token of gratitude to all the donors and
supporters who help our outreach efforts; it was also an impassioned call for new sponsors.
Curating Exhibitions in a form of Visual Dialogues between Ancient and Contemporary Art.
“Money in Latvia from Amber to Euro. Money in the Mediterranean from Talent to Electrum”,
Athens 2014. Under the auspices of the RIGA 2014 European Capital of Culture. Funded by the
National History Museum of Latvia and the Embassy of Latvia in Greece.
“Spiral. Primordial Engravings – Modern Approaches”. A narrative about the motif of spiral through
ancient artifacts and works of Takis Stephanou, Athens 2014. Sponsored by the Alpha Bank and the
Orphee Beinoglou International Forwarders S.A.
“Cultural Deposits. From Ancient Seal-Stones to Contemporary Printmaking”. A visual dialogue
between ancient artifacts and the creations of the printmaker Vicky Tsalamata, Athens 2012-2013.
Under the auspices of the “Athens Print Festival”. Sponsored by the Friends of Numismatic Museum.
“Fire and Coin. Archaeology and Fire”, Athens 2012-2013. Collaboration with the Ephorate of
Underwater Antiquities. Funded by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports. Sponsored by the
Friends of Numismatic Museum.
Organizing International Conferences and Round Tables:
“Institution of Sponsorship from Ancient to Modern Times”, Thessaloniki, February 7-8, 2014.
With the support of the Holy Metropole of Thessaloniki, the Region of the Central Macedonia, the
Municipality of Thessaloniki and the Norwegian Institute of Athens. My presentation “Sponsors and
Donors in Public Museums. The Case of the Numismatic Museum” was published in the Proceedings
of the Conference, Athens 2019, pp. 247-266.
The conference “Egypt Speaks through Papyri and Coins” was held on June 9, 2012, combining
academic papers and the art events “A Tribute, all the Berenices and Cleopatras are admirable!”
starring Greek actors. Sponsored by the Cultural Centre of the Arab Republic of Egypt.
“Nazarene movement in Painting”, Thessaloniki, November 24, 2012. Round Table in the context of
the 7th International Scientific Conference: “Mount Athos in the years of Liberation”.
Curating educational programmes, cultural and artistic events:
The museum celebrated the International Museum Day 2012 with two new educational programmes:
I. “Discovering plants, animals and persons on coins”, was designed for the visually impaired. It
was a wonderful opportunity for members of vulnerable social groups to explore the magical
microcosm of coins by touch. The accompanying brochure in Braille format was sponsored by the
non-profit association Lighthouse for the Blind.
“Learning about Iliou Melathron and its treasures”, was geared towards economic migrants
who live and work in Greece and aimed to familiarize them with the Museum’s historic building, its
exhibition spaces, the library and the conservation laboratory.
In addition to the museum’s major regular sponsors, these two educational programmes and related
events, including a production of Jorge Bucay’s play “The Circle of 99”, starring Themis Bazaka,
were made possible thanks to generous funding from the Alexander S. Onassis Public Benefit
Foundation, Terna Energy S.A. and Club Hotel Casino Loutraki.
28/02/2008–12/02/2012 Ephorate of Antiquities director
24th Ephorate of Antiquities, Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports, Lamia (Central Greece).
Main achievements:
EU funded projects and studies (National Strategic Reference Framework 2007-2013).
The project “Restoration and enhancement of the Medieval Castle of Ypati, Prefecture of
Phthiotida”, with a budget of 1.000,000 €, presented an absorption of funds of 99.9%, and employed
more than 50 people of different professions. This project concerning the exemplary restoration,
protection, and enhancement of an important archaeological site made it accessible to the public.
The project “Aesthetic restoration and highlighting of the frescoes of the Church of the Holy
Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Savior in Vracha, Euritania”, with a budget of 500,000 €,
presented an absorption of funds of 98.3%, integrated in the NSRF program, was and employed more
than 15 people of different professions, mainly art conservators.
The “Study of the formation of an open-air exhibition of antiquities in the courtyard of the
Byzantine Museum of Phthiotida in Ypati”, prepared in the context of the Studies of maturation and
preparation of E.P. “CULTURE”, Lamia 2008-2010.
Curating educational programmes:
“The kingdom of animals in the Byzantine Museum of Phthiotida. Eagles and hares, peacocks
and snakes, dolphins and griffins”, addressed to all students of schools in the prefecture of
Phthiotida, Ypati 2011-2012. Sponsored by the Archaeological Receipts Fund.
01/11/2003–27/02/2008 Curator of Antiquities
1st Ephorate of Antiquities, Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports, Athens (Greece).
Main achievements:
Organizing International Conference:
“The Athens Charter for the Conservation and Restoration of Greek Monuments and Sites”,
Athens, February 12, 2007. Under the auspices of the Hellenic Section of ICOMOS. Supported by the
Hellenic Ministry of Culture and the Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE-TCG).
“International Symposium on World Heritage”,Athens, September 27, 2007. Under the auspices
of the Hellenic Section of ICOMOS. Supported by the Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE-TCG).
10/08/1996–30/10/2003 Curator of Antiquities
Byzantine and Christian Museum, Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports, Athens (Greece).
Main achievements:
Curating Exhibitions:
“Riflessi di Bysanzio. Capolavori d’ arte dal XV al XVIII secolo dal Museo Bizantino e Cristiano
di Atene”, Museo Capitolini Rome 2003.
“Passion. Contemporary Painting”, Athens 2003.
“1884 – 1930. From the Christian Collection to the Byzantine Museum”, Byzantine and Christian
Museum, Athens 2002 – 2003.
“Post Byzantium: The Greek Renaissance. 15th – 18th Century Treasures from The Byzantine
and Christian Museum”, Onassis Cultural Center New York 2002. Funded by the Alexander S.
Onassis Public Benefit Foundation.
“Treasured Offerings. The legacy of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of St. Sophia, London”, The
Hellenic Centre 2002. In collaboration with the Ecclesiastical Council of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral
of St. Sophia, London 2002.
“Conversation with God. Precious icons 10th – 15th c.”, The Hellenic Centre London 1998.
“Greek Jewelry. 6000 Years of Tradition”, Villa Bianca Thessaloniki 1997 – 1998.
“Byzantine Museum, The New Acquisitions (1986-1996)”, Byzantine and Christian Museum,
Athens 1997.
“Ports and ships at the Byzantine Museum”, Byzantine and Christian Museum, Athens 1997.
Curator of Antiquities
2nd Ephorate of Antiquities, Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports, Athens (Greece).
10/05/1994–04/11/1995 Curator of Antiquities
11th Ephorate of Antiquities, Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sport, Athens (Northern Greece).
06/03/1993-09/05/1994 Curator of Antiquities
Byzantine and Christian Museum, Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports, Athens (Greece).
01/09/1989-05/03/1993 Curator of Antiquities
Ephorate of Antique Shops and Private Archaeological Collections, Hellenic Ministry of Culture
and Sports, Athens (Greece).
Scientific Experience
2020-2022 Researcher
Member of the Advisory Board of the NGEM Research Proposal: NEXT GENERATION OF
EUROPEAN MUSEUMS, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol.
2018-2021 Teacher of Greek Language, History, Art and Culture
Teaching Staff at the University of Piraeus in the Postgraduate Course “Administration and
Management of Cultural Units and Organizations”.
2012-2020 Scientific Associate
Research Fellow of the American School of Classical Studies in Athens and Cornell University, USA,
in the framework of the Cornell Halai Programme and East Locris Project.
2019 Researcher
Participation as a Specialist Scientist in the Expert Advisory Board in the Matters of Cultural Heritage
and Digitization of the Cultural Stock, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol.
2018 Lecturer
Lecturer at the National and Kapodisrtian University of Athens in the framework of the Ancient History
Seminar “Ancient Greek Economy During the Classical Period”.
2014 Lecturer
Lecturer at the Neapolis University in the Postgraduate Program of the Theological School, Paphos Cyprus.
2012 Lecturer
Lecturer at the People’s University of Athens in the framework of the Course “The Greek World of the East”.
1991-1993 Researcher Associate
Research Associate of the Department of History and Archeology of the National and Kapodistrian
University of Athens in the Research Program “Byzantine Paper” in libraries of Mount Athos.
1990 Researcher
Summer Fellow at the Dumbarton Oaks Centre for Byzantine Studies, Washington, D.C., U.S.A.
Scholarship obtained: Harvard University Fellowships.
1986-1989 University research assistant
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Department of Archaeology and Art History of the
Faculty of Philosophy. Secretariat of the Research Committee, Athens.
Education
PhD in the History of Art
University of London, Courtauld Institute of Art, London (United Kingdom) with distinction.
Doctoral Thesis publication: Dionysios of Fourna (c. 1670 – c. 1745). Artistic Creation and Literary
Description. With 330 Illustrations, Alexandros Press, Leiden 2008, pp. 1-356.
1998–2005 BA in Theology
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Theological School, Athens (Greece) with first grade.
1981–1983 MA in the History of Art
University of London, Courtauld Institute of Art, London (United Kingdom) with distinction.
Scholarship obtained: Joint Decision of the Minister of National Education and the Ministry of
George Kakavas
22/07/2022 Page 6 / 6Education Postgraduate Scholarship from the Bequest of Sofia Saripolos of the National and
Kapodistrian University of Athens for postgraduate studies in the field of Archaeology in London.
Thesis publication: “The Evangelist Portraits in B.L. Add. 11838”, DIPTYCHA 4 (1986-87), Athens
1987, pp. 342-379.
1975-1979 BA in History and ArchaeologyNational and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Philosophical School, Department of History nad
Archaeology,Athens (Greece) with first grade.
With Crown Prince Pavlos and Prince Nikolaos
With the President of France Valery Giscard d’Estaing
With Queen Sophia of Spain
With Archibishop of Thyatira and Great Britain Mr. Nikitas and Mrs Marianna Vardinogiannis
