Mayor and Antiquities Inspectorate at odds over Frederick North statue
CORFU. Relocating the crumbling statue without authorisation sparked the anger of the mayor, who had not been asked. Antiquities Inspectorate, however had given written notice last year!
The relocation of the statue of the Ionian Academy founder, Frederick North, 5th Earl of Guildford, has created problems, as it remains in Corfiot tradition. The Mayor and Antiquities Inspectorate had an argument over the phone.
The incident was triggered by the relocation of the statue, which was on the verge of falling into the Contra Fossa. The Antiquities Inspectorate was responsible for the removal, while the mayor wanted collaboration and joint actions, especially with prior permission from the municipality.
The Archaeology Department had given written notice last year. Elections, change of tenure in the municipality led to communication breakdowns, and things escalated over the phone yesterday morning.
However, the statue was moved for conservation and will be relocated again once a safe location is determined for its installation.
GIORGOS KATSAITIS
