This is a translated and revised Greek edition of Living Ruins, Value Conflicts, a book which has already played a fundamental role in Heritage Studies and has been repeatedly published internationally. Based on very extensive theoretical and empirical research, Ζωντανά Ερείπια, Συγκρούσεις Αξιών portrays for the first time the forces, ideologies and views on restoration which are associated with aesthetic reflection as philosophical discourse but also as poetic experience, while comparing Greek with Western thought.

This work highlights with originality the great nexus of the conditions and parameters determining the perpetuation of ancient ruins in space and time. The accruing value conflicts between them are presented as a central motif of heritage studies. Furthermore, the ways in which monumentality, ruins, and their restoration and enhancement practices, including the construction of new museums such as the Acropolis Museum, the formation of archaeological landscapes and new restorations condition current reality, local and national identity, the progress of architecture, as well as national development, particularly in a country like Greece, are explored in interdisciplinary manner.

Argyro Loukaki, Professor Emerita of Art, Architecture and Urban Planning at the Hellenic Open University (HOU), is an architect-engineer (National Technical University of Athens) and holds a doctorate from the University of Oxford (human geography in conjunction with archaeology). She also holds postgraduate degrees from Sussex University and Panteion University. She has received many doctoral and postdoctoral scholarships and awards. Foreign languages: English, French, German, Italian. Loukaki created the postgraduate Program “Art-Cultural Heritage-Development Policies” (TEP) and contributed to the foundation of other Programs. Part of her relevant contribution is the creation of five new postgraduate Thematic Units. She has directed both the undergraduate Program “Greek Civilization” (GC) and TEP. Besides, she introduced biennial cycles of international conferences on art and space, which take place at the Acropolis Museum and are followed by international publications edited by her.