NZNTV

ATHINA The mayor-elect of Athens, Kostas Bakoyannis, was sworn into office on Sunday evening at Plato’s Academy in Athens.

The new mayor of the Greek capital decided to hold the official ceremony in this open space as an important symbolic gesture.

He chose the location of Plato’s Academy not only to highlight the historical importance of the site, but also to demonstrate his will to restore Athens’ landmarks, which are now suffering from years of neglect and vandalism.

The ceremony was attended by hundreds of Athenians, both public figures as well as members of the family of the new mayor.

Greece’s Deputy Prime Minister Panagiotis Pikrammenos was also at the mayoral swearing-in ceremony, along with Ieronymos, the Archbishop of Greece.

Plato’s Academy (“Akademia Platonos” in Greek) in Athens is the very site where the famous ancient Greek philosopher established his school in the year 387 BC.

The school operated for centuries, until the Roman dictator Sulla destroyed it in 86 BC.

This hallowed place is often called the site of the ”First university in the world,” but the modern neighborhood in which is located has sadly been suffering from years of vandalism and other types of crime.

One of the top priorities of the new mayor is to change these negative aspects of some of Athens’ historic landmarks and revive them to their former glory, and to improve the neighborhoods surrounding the historic sites.

Bakoyannis will officially take office on Sunday, September 1.