Mission & Vision
Introduction
The Rhodes International Culture & Heritage Society (RICHeS) focuses on the culture and heritage of Rhodes, with an international point of view. This can be understood in the broadest sense but leitmotiv is our belief that the distinct character of Rhodes lies in its multicultural and diverse history. The intense and age-old interaction of Rhodes and the Rhodians with the outside world has co-shaped our cultural heritage and it is this what makes the town and the island so special, even for Mediterranean standards.
Philosophy
Rhodes has a proud and distinguished past. In the Classical and Hellenistic periods the town counted among the most sophisticated in the then known world. A thousand years thereafter, Rhodes reached again prominence during the Middle Ages when the town was transformed by the ruling Hospitaller Knights into a great military and commercial bulwark. While relatively little remains of classical Rhodes, the legacy of the knights of St. John is omnipresent in the impressive 'old town', inscribed on the Unesco World Heritage List in 1988. Both the classical past and the medieval period are well studied and well known. Similarly, the Byzantine heritage and modern Greek culture are very much alive and upheld through the dedicated work of countless organisations and individuals.
However, certain other aspects and chapters from Rhodes' history and culture are often less well-known. This goes for the European, Jewish, Ottoman, Levantine, Italian and other contributions to present-day Rhodes. We think that these themes are important and deserve equal attention with the above mentioned heritage. We advocate an inclusive view of heritage in Rhodes in which all contributions are seen as an essential part of a common Rhodian heritage and not divided along religious or ethnic lines.
The word 'international' in our name refers to this multicultural heritage, the 'shared heritage' which links Rhodes to many other regions, cultures and countries. It refers just as much to the achievements of Rhodians of all communities who went abroad and it also expresses our intention to build cultural bridges between Rhodes and the outside world. RICHeS is strictly neutral, non-religious, a-political and welcomes everybody who is interested in the (international) cultural heritage of the island and town.
Mission
Resulting from our philosophy, our mission can be summed up as follows:
Through the initiation, organisation and development of various events and activities - both short- and long term - we try to achieve our mission.
Vision
RICHeS is dedicated to making a positive contribution to Rhodes, in our vision we:
The Rhodes International Culture & Heritage Society (RICHeS) focuses on the culture and heritage of Rhodes, with an international point of view. This can be understood in the broadest sense but leitmotiv is our belief that the distinct character of Rhodes lies in its multicultural and diverse history. The intense and age-old interaction of Rhodes and the Rhodians with the outside world has co-shaped our cultural heritage and it is this what makes the town and the island so special, even for Mediterranean standards.
Philosophy
Rhodes has a proud and distinguished past. In the Classical and Hellenistic periods the town counted among the most sophisticated in the then known world. A thousand years thereafter, Rhodes reached again prominence during the Middle Ages when the town was transformed by the ruling Hospitaller Knights into a great military and commercial bulwark. While relatively little remains of classical Rhodes, the legacy of the knights of St. John is omnipresent in the impressive 'old town', inscribed on the Unesco World Heritage List in 1988. Both the classical past and the medieval period are well studied and well known. Similarly, the Byzantine heritage and modern Greek culture are very much alive and upheld through the dedicated work of countless organisations and individuals.
However, certain other aspects and chapters from Rhodes' history and culture are often less well-known. This goes for the European, Jewish, Ottoman, Levantine, Italian and other contributions to present-day Rhodes. We think that these themes are important and deserve equal attention with the above mentioned heritage. We advocate an inclusive view of heritage in Rhodes in which all contributions are seen as an essential part of a common Rhodian heritage and not divided along religious or ethnic lines.
The word 'international' in our name refers to this multicultural heritage, the 'shared heritage' which links Rhodes to many other regions, cultures and countries. It refers just as much to the achievements of Rhodians of all communities who went abroad and it also expresses our intention to build cultural bridges between Rhodes and the outside world. RICHeS is strictly neutral, non-religious, a-political and welcomes everybody who is interested in the (international) cultural heritage of the island and town.
Mission
Resulting from our philosophy, our mission can be summed up as follows:
- To stimulate awareness, knowledge and study of the cultural heritage of Rhodes in general;
- To stimulate awareness, knowledge and study of the international, multicultural and lesser known cultural heritage of Rhodes;
- To increase cultural and heritage participation;
- To increase public commitment to the preservation and improvement of this heritage.
Through the initiation, organisation and development of various events and activities - both short- and long term - we try to achieve our mission.
Vision
RICHeS is dedicated to making a positive contribution to Rhodes, in our vision we:
- contribute to the cultural and intellectual climate in Rhodes;
- contribute to a better understanding of the unique multicultural heritage of Rhodes and to help preserve this for future generations;
- contribute to a better cultural understanding and appreciation between people of different backgrounds;
- contribute to the establishment and promotion of Rhodes as a recognised first-class cultural destination;
- contribute to the European and international cultural profile of Rhodes.
