Protecting the Forest

The event "PROTECTING THE FOREST" was held with great success at the Science & Technology Museum (STM) of the University of Patras, on Saturday, March 14, 2014. Co-organized by the Science and Technology Museum, Zoology and Botany Museum of the University of Patras and the French Institute of Patras in the context of the Celebration of the International Day of Francophonie and Forests, as the main event of the exhibition "The Forest, a living community".

The event was opened by the Vice-Rector of the University of Patras for Student Welfare and Infrastructure, Energy and Sustainability, Prof. G. Angelopoulos, while the Director of the STM, Prof. E. Vitoratos, the Consul of France Mrs. Christina Defteraiou and the Director of the French Institute of Patras Mrs. G. Petropoulou-Conan also gave a welcoming greeting. Faculty members, teachers, pupils, students, representatives of environmental organizations and many people with an interest in the Forest and its protection participated.

It started festively with the Choir of the French Institute of Patras, children full of enthusiasm and fun, who presented, in impeccable French, the song "LA FORET", by Didier Lester to emphasize the importance of the Forest! At the event, interesting speeches were heard by the Emeritus Professor, Department of Biology, Theodoros Georgiadis, "Vegetation, Forest, Diversity of Greece", Lecturer, Department of Biology, George Mitsainas, "The Shy Residents of the Forests - Protecting the forest from fires". The coordinator of the event is the Director of the Museum of Zoology, Professor of the Department of Biology George Tzanoudakis.

The event ended with a concert by the excellent guitarist Dimitris Makris, who performed Greek and French songs in his own special way, in some accompanied by his student Irene Dais. The concert was courtesy of Philippos Nakas Conservatory.

In the end, visitors had the opportunity to tour the premises of the STM and see up close its permanent and temporary exhibitions.