Athens, January 5, 2026 – The Hellenic Book and Culture Foundation (ELIVIP) has announced its relocation to a landmark building in the historic heart of Athens. The property, situated at Ermou 134-136 and Evvoulou streets in the Kerameikos district, has been granted to ELIVIP by decision of Culture Minister Lina Mendoni.
Historic Building in Kerameikos Becomes New Home for Culture
The building, owned by the Ministry of Culture, will now serve as the central hub for ELIVIP’s operations and the development of its cultural initiatives. This move is part of the Ministry’s policy to place books and cultural activities at the heart of urban centers, making them easily accessible to the public.
Minister Mendoni stated, “The decision to grant the use of this specific property to the Hellenic Book and Culture Foundation – an entity supervised by the Ministry of Culture – fully serves the Foundation’s needs and the Ministry’s policy, which aims to have books at the heart of cities, in the center of Athens, so that citizens can easily and dynamically participate in ELIVIP’s actions and activities. In an era dominated by technology, the experience of a book remains unique. Each person’s relationship with a book is an experiential relationship, a relationship of experience and memory.”
A Building with a Rich Past
The property, located on Ermou pedestrian street, a stone’s throw from the Ancient Agora of Athens and adjacent to the archaeological site of Kerameikos, offers suitable spaces for hosting book-related events and promoting reading. Its surrounding garden is also ideal for cultural events aligned with ELIVIP’s mission.
The building was originally expropriated for archaeological purposes by the Greek State – Ministry of Culture, by a decision in 1973. Constructed in the early 20th century (around 1900), it initially served as a sales point for “building materials” by Georgios K. Ventouris. By 1916, Ventouris’ company was listed among the “Contracting Companies of Athens” in N. Inglesis’ “Guide to Greece,” and a 1923-1926 volume featured a two-page tribute to G. K. Ventouris’ “Commercial and Industrial House.”
In 1994, the Ministry of Culture designated the building as a work of art, along with its courtyard structure, bringing it under the protective provisions of Law 4858/2021. In 1993, it had also been characterized as a preserved building by the Ministry of Environment and Energy.
Restoration and Accessibility Efforts
The building is a large-scale urban property comprising a neoclassical main building (shop on the ground floor, residence on the upper floor), an auxiliary stone-built structure in its courtyard, and a garden. The Ministry of Culture, through the competent Service of Modern Monuments and Technical Works of Attica, fully restored the monument, which had fallen into disrepair in recent years.
In 2024, the Ministry of Culture undertook restoration work and safety improvements, with a budget of approximately 750,000 euros from the Ministry’s National Development Program. This included the investigation of the original color schemes of the facades and interior, which were then restored based on documented evidence. Additionally, functional upgrades and accessibility for individuals with disabilities were implemented.
The property had previously been granted to the Association of Greek Archaeologists in 1986 by decision of Melina Mercouri. This concession was revoked in 2023 by Lina Mendoni due to non-compliance with the terms of use for the monument building.
Future Cultural Impact
With its new use, the wider area is expected to be upgraded, especially in conjunction with the renewed appearance of the adjacent archaeological site of Kerameikos, following the completion of works carried out by the Ephorate of Antiquities of the City of Athens.
This strategic relocation underscores the Ministry of Culture’s commitment to fostering a vibrant cultural landscape and promoting literacy within the community. The Hellenic Book and Culture Foundation is poised to become a significant cultural landmark, offering a diverse array of events and activities for residents and visitors alike.
