Leaky Pergamum Museum

According to a recent article in Kathimerini.gr the recent snow and ice that covered Berlin was trying not only for the inhabitants but also for the infrastructure, including the famous Pergamum Museum. The glass roof covering the hall of the altar seems to have cracked letting the melting ice run through and flood the floor and showcases!

The only one who seemed to have any initiative left in him was the museum guard who alternately shouted at his superiors - who just stood there watching the water poor onto the antiquities - and the cleaning lady, who was courageous enough to take action: she spread her mops and rags over the floor and the objects so as to protect them from the incoming water. The result according to Panagiotis Panagopoulos who did the report, was that for a while "the hall seemed not to belong to the Pergamum Museum, but rather to contain exhibits from the Tate Modern!

Finally the people in charged made up their minds and took more drastic steps: They covered the part of the hall that had suffered the damage with tarpaulins, until the roof could be repaired...

It is noteworthy that the Greek newspaper enjoyed poking fun at "the otherwise impeccable Germany", partially because of various unflattering reports that have been published in German media concerning the state of the Greek Economy...

Venus de Milo on the front cover of the German Focus illustrating an article analysing the causes of the state of the Greek Economy. Leaving aside the analysis itself, one cannot but appreciate the humour of the artist who designed the cover...