Heraklion Archaeological Museum Honored with EMYA Special Commendation

The Ivory Bull-leaper and the Bull-leaping Fresco from Knossos (Gallery VI), © Heraklion Archaeological Museum

The Archaeological Museum of Heraklion on Crete was recently honored with a Special Commendation at the annual European Museum of the Year Awards (EMYA), held by the European Museum Forum (EMF) in Zagreb, Croatia.

Archaeologist Georgia Flouda, Head of the Heraklion Archaeological Museum Stella Mandalaki and archaeologist Defkalionas Manidakis.

The EMYA Judges praised the museum for presenting a cutting-edge interpretation of the history and civilization of Crete, focused on the rise and decline of the Minoan culture. “The museum is a huge social and cultural asset for the island, influencing tourism, the economy and the local community”, EMF said in an announcement.

The Heraklion Archaeological Museum was also nominated for the Council of Europe Award, in recognition of the Minoan Civilization’s broad dimension, displayed in a unique way at the Museum’s premises.

The European Museum of the Year Award 2017 was won by the Museum of Ethnography in Geneva, Switzerland. The ceremony was held on May 6 and was attended by more than 200 people from 29 European countries. It coincided with the 40th Anniversary of the European Museum of the Year Award and the Council of Europe Museum Prize, which are among the longest running, prestigious awards in Europe.