Evi Pini talks to us
Evi Pini is an archaeologist and works at the Ministry of Culture. As responsible for the Department of Educational Programs of the Piraeus and Islands Ephorate of Antiquities, she designs and implements educational activities in museums and archaeological sites. In the same time, she writes stories and novels for children that like archaeology and history. She is responsible for the visual arts workshop “In the way of… (artist’s name)”, which takes place at the Archaeological Museum of Poros. An event that takes place every year as part of the program “Vacation at the Museum” of the Piraeus and Islands Ephorate of Antiquities.
Τell us about your work
I’m an archaeologist and I’m involved with museum education. I’m working at the Ephorate of Antiquities of Piraeus and Islands, as responsible for the Department of Educational Programs. My field is designing and presenting educational-communicative actions for students and youth, families and adults, at the archaeological museums of Piraeus, Salamina, Poros, Aegina and Kythira. At the same time, I write books, children stories and youth novels, that are always related to archaeology and history.
What is your relationship with the local area?
I initially got to know and loved the area as a tourist. Since 2013, however, when I became manager of the Department of Educational Programs, I started visiting it also as an employee, at least three times a year: in May, for the educational programs which are addressed to primary education students, in October, for secondary education students, and in July, for the action “Vacation at the Museum”.
How has crisis affected your work and your life and how do you deal with it?
As for everyone, the crisis has affected both my personal and professional life, but I am drawing optimism and great joy from my contact with the youth and that’s how I’m handling it.
Which of your knowledge and personality traits have been most useful to you in your professional life?
Mainly, the knowledge that I have acquired from my studies, as well as my ability to communicate with the public, whether that’s kindergarteners or adults.
What would you like to improve in your personality or work? What are your weaknesses and how have they influenced you?
I would like to acquire a lot of new knowledge and expertise mainly in terms of digital media, which is a very interesting field in my job at the museum, as well as in marine archaeology.
As for self-improvement, I would like to handle tensions in a calmer way.
What would you do differently and what do you consider as right steps in your career?
I would have made studies in other fields as well, e.g. visual arts and theater studies. But it’s never too late! Other than that, I would not change any of my choices in my career.
What piece of advice would you give to a young person who would like to do what you do?
Because professional prospects for archaeologists are quite bleak, even for scientists with a PhD and a Master’s degree, I would advise them to choose archaeology only if they have persistence, perseverance, patience and the will to chase their dream.
What are your plans for the future, short-term and long-term ones?
For the near future: I am writing a book and the script for an animated short film. As for later… we shall see!
