THE REVIVAL OF THE COLOSSUS OF RHODES
A PROJECT WITH A VISION OF PEACE IN THE MEDITERRANEAN

On the occasion of World Tourism Day, with the timely theme “Tourism and Peace”, we are faced with a unique opportunity to examine how tourism can act as a force for peace and solidarity, especially in the sensitive Mediterranean region. The Mediterranean has always been a meeting place for cultures, religions and peoples. However, the challenges it faces today — such as geopolitical tensions, migratory flows and climate change — require new approaches and solutions that promote peace and cooperation. Tourism, as an activity that brings together people from different parts of the world, has the power to bridge differences, enhance understanding and promote international friendship.

The Colossus Revival: A Vision for the 21st Century

The ancient Colossus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, was dedicated to the Sun God and represented the freedom and peace that followed the successful defence of Rhodes against Demetrius the Besieger in the Hellenistic era. This statue of gigantic proportions stood proudly at the entrance to the city of Rhodes, welcoming visitors from all over the known world of that period.

Today, the vision of the revival of the Colossus must take on a new dimension, reflecting the values that our era needs more than ever namely peace, friendship and cooperation between peoples. The new Colossus, instead of being a sterile representation of the ancient miracle, could be a modern symbol of peace, a global reference point reminding us of the need for dialogue and coexistence.

This project should be a major tourism attraction, attracting visitors from all over the world, but it should also serve as a meeting place for cultures, a venue for international conferences and events focusing on peace and sustainable development. The new Colossus of Rhodes should host a Thematic Museum dedicated to the history of the ancient Colossus and its values, as well as an International Peace Centre, where dialogue and cooperation will be promoted on a global level.

1. Idea — Vision

The Colossus is the eternal myth that Rhodes “cherishes”, which is attempted to be given a new substance, without altering it by creating a sterile and anachronistic copy (Replica of the statue) with archaeological implications.

The philosophy and ambition of the project is to constitute an evolutionary ideological continuation of the ancient statue, which was dedicated to the Sun god, peace and freedom, and to take on a nationwide character and be presented as a Greek seal of the universal and timeless ideas of universal peace, friendship and brotherhood of peoples, with the prospect of becoming a global landmark and reference point.

2. Implementation (Global Competition)

The conception of the project must be based on the construction of a contemporary architectural creation, with artistic expression and dimensions of an innovative and sustainable technical achievement, a 21st century vision and version, which will inextricably respect the scale, harmony, historical and culturally rich architectural environment of the place.

This project would be the result of an open global competition which will create a rich reservoir of architectural ideas for its construction.

International Evaluation Committee

The best proposals will be evaluated and selected by a local and international Evaluation Committee, composed of eminent personalities from the fields of culture, letters, arts, sciences, technology and politics. It is proposed that the Selection Committee be placed under the auspices of the President of the Republic, and thus ensure global recognition, international prestige and absolute transparency of the procedures. In this way, the project will have the potential to be brought under the auspices of UNESCO and other cultural bodies, following our existing priceless monuments and attracting funds from foundations, sponsors, Greek and philhellenic citizens.

3. Proposed Projects — Avoiding Commercialisation

To eliminate any possibility of commercialization of the project, it is proposed that the money from future revenues be reinvested towards the dissemination of peace and our cultural heritage by creating:

A) an interactive Thematic Museum on ancient Colossus and its history

B) an Archaeological Research Centre, but also an Academic Chair of the Colossus, which will assist the research and study of future generations of young archaeological scientists — researchers on issues relating to the site or possible future findings of the ancient wonder, in accordance with the latest scientific evidence; and

C) the establishment of an International Center for Mediterranean Peace, which will house an excellent cultural multifunctional, technologically advanced venue, which will contain a conference and exhibition centre, an amphitheatre, a concert hall and will host internationally renowned events and functions.

4. Attracting Resources — Funding

With a view to raising financial resources, it is proposed that the project be self-financed through the mobilization of distinguished personalities (Ambassadors of the Idea), who will lead the launch of an International Fundraising Campaign which will raise funds from sources such as:

· Sponsorships from Greek and foreign Foundations,

· Grants and subsidies from official bodies and International Organizations such as UNESCO, the European Union and others

· Supports from local authorities

· Donations from wealthy Greeks, expatriates of the diaspora, and philhellenic citizens all over the world, who would like to contribute to the implementation of the idea.

5. Communication Strategy

The communication strategy should be designed with the main objective of maximising the publicity of the project on the one hand and finding the resources, through:

· The creation of an International Public Relations Campaign, with the aim of generating global interest, raising awareness and maintaining contacts with the international media.

· Mobilising prominent Greek and international personalities, artists and celebrities, who will support the project internationally as ambassadors.

6. Examples — Best Practices

To avoid confusion, it is worth mentioning just a few examples of landmark projects that have added glamour and admiration to the cities — countries that have undertaken them:

· The new Library of Alexandria (www.bibalex.org)

· The Sydney Opera House (www.sydneyoperahouse.com)

· The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao (www.guggenheim.org)

· The New Acropolis Museum (www.theacropolismuseum.gr)

and many other outstanding projects where they have been built have created significant cultural values.

7. Mediterranean Venue of Peace

The ultimate challenge is to establish the belief that Rhodes can, in the long term, claim the reputation of the “Neutral Island of Peace”, a symbolic “Davos” for the peaceful resolution of disputes in the Mediterranean and beyond. And through the semantic creation of the Colossus Revival project, to maximise extremely important benefits.

Rhodes, with its multicultural identity and its prominent strategic position at the crossroads of three continents, becomes an ideal place for bridging ideas and cultures, consolidating free dialogue and promoting the universal and timeless ideal of peace and brotherhood of peoples.

MULTIPILLAR DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROJECT TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY

As can be seen, the operation is progressively developing along three major sustainability-oriented pillars:

1. The first, in the sense of an admirable Architectural Landmark of the island, offered for sustainable tourism development.

2. The second, in the sense of a pioneering Cultural Achievement of the 21st Century with the creation of a technologically advanced museum complex, incorporating Archaeological Research Spaces, Conference Centre, Concert Halls for international cultural events and happenings.

3. The third, Diplomatic, which in the long term will aim to create a Mediterranean Venue of Peace on the island, thus offering significant benefits to our international relations.

Benefits and Advantages

Such a project will have the potential to offer significant benefits to Greece on multiple levels, sending a message to the global community of the country’s dynamic presence in international developments and confirming the modern evolutionary perspective of Greek culture.

As a tourism project, it ensures publicity and impact, dynamically repositioning Rhodes and Greece on the world map, creating a diversified demand for the destination, promoting economic and social development, helping to extend the tourist season and generating significant revenues.

As a cultural achievement, it arouses the interest of the global community, contributes to the exploitation of our National Treasures and contributes to the promotion of our cultural heritage.

As a work of diplomacy, it is expected to be a resounding response to those who question the borders of Greece and the United Europe, strengthening our sense of national pride and making Rhodes a universal transmitter of messages of world peace at international level.

STRATEGY FOR A SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT APPROACH

The strategic alignment of the Colossus Revival project at the core of the sustainable approach becomes imperative. It creates the appropriate conditions for our country to harmonize and contribute decisively to the development goals of sustainability of the 2030 Agenda, established by the United Nations and adopted by the World Tourism Organization, the UNESCO and the European Union.

The transformation of the world starts with our own transformation, the change we wish to bring to our place, through projects such as the one proposed. As mentioned, it is an action plan that desires and seeks prosperity, peace, fraternity and the free expression and flow of ideas, with a specific target:

· The creation of an architectural project that is in harmony with the principles of sustainable philosophy and respects the natural, residential and cultural environment,

· the economic and social development of the area and the improvement of its standard of living, as it will provide countless jobs,

· promoting the building of a new, universal and collective intelligence, through cooperation between universities and institutions from many countries,

· ensuring equal access to educational activities linked to our culture, our myths and history, our traditions and our values,

· the creation of a pioneering infrastructure, open to the whole world, through the philosophy of inclusion of all people without exclusion and discrimination,

· to improve our country’s ranking in terms of performance in innovative practices in relation to other countries,

· The promotion of peaceful and cooperative actions to make Rhodes a crossroads of culture and peace among peoples, through the creation of a Mediterranean Peace Chair.

· The transformation of the city of Rhodes as a creative city, which, according to the Creative Economy Report 2030, can be the catalyst for counter-fragility, sustainable development and the regeneration of the economic and cultural heritage of the region and of Greece.

VISION OF PEACE FOR A BETTER WORLD

We unite our vision with that of the World Tourism Organization, the UN, UNESCO, and the European Union, in order to be able to converge on the universality of the overall solution to the global challenges (5Ps) of the 21st Century which are: Peace, People, Prosperity, Partnership and the Planet and create a better future for all.

This project with a vision of peace in the Mediterranean can be a model worldwide for the consolidation of a culture of peace through international cooperation, acting to achieve in particular the goals 16 “Peace and Justice” and 17 “Partnership for the Goals” of the 2030 Agenda.

According to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterrez, “The Sustainable Development Goals are the pathway to a fairer, more peaceful and prosperous world and a healthy planet and the greatest challenge for intergenerational solidarity.” https://unric.org

Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili the Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization at the World Economic Forum in Davos said: “The return of tourism offers the opportunity to reaffirm the values that the sector represents, namely peace, solidarity and international cooperation.” https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/05/tourism-not-just-about-travel-also-peace/

In 2024 the message “Tourism and Peace” is at the heart of the World Tourism Day theme and it is clear. https://www.unwto.org/events/world-tourism-day-2024.

Epilogue

There is no time to waste. We must rethink our tourism product and become a catalyst for change as a place to transition to a new era for our island. This project with a vision of peace in the Mediterranean can make Rhodes a global model for establishing a culture of peace through international cooperation. A Rhodes “beacon city” that will radiate in the eternity messages of hope and optimism for the creation of a better world for future generations.