As part of our research on reading habits and what the authorities of our country are reading, we turned to the mayor of Athens and professor of Energy and Environmental Policy at the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering of the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) Haris Doukas and asked him to trust his own thoughts and share with us the books he reads!
Is there a margin of time for the mayor of Athens, in the complex times we live in, to escape into the world of a book?
Reading a book is a great opportunity to deepen our thinking, enrich our understanding of the world and be inspired. My relationship with the book is permanent, from whatever position I am, despite the most suffocating limitations of time. Now, as a mayor, I have to admit that I mainly focus on texts related to Athens, its history, folklore and the upgrading of life in the city. In particular, I read with particular interest texts by Athenian writers of the old era, but also of today’s reality. From D. Kambouroglou and M. Mitsakis to the younger ones such as: X. Chomenidis, A. Stamatis, A. Skoubourdi (currently mandated municipal councilor of Athens), N. Vatopoulos, with whom we recently walked together in the emblematic market of Kypseli .
What the Brazilian educator, Paulo Freire, has written constantly follows me: “Reading books, we read the world and life. Life itself becomes a text, which we read to understand what we can improve.” This is how I read the life texts of Athens, conversing in the streets, squares and neighborhoods, writing together with the citizens new pages in the book of Athens. This book of life asks questions and seeks answers regarding who we are and where we can go. For sustainability and upgrading of life. For the support we owe to the socially excluded and the reduction of social inequalities.
What kind of books do you choose to read? Does being a professor at the Technical University of Athens affect you? Do you have a favorite author?
Naturally, my academic status absorbed much of my reading energy. The subject of my specialization in urban planning, climate change and energy transitions has a strong social-humanitarian background. It is this connection that opened the horizons for me to expand my reading range to books that talk regarding human-social relations, especially in conditions of poverty and challenging inequalities.
There developed a strong relationship with many kinds of texts, beyond professional use. I discovered the enjoyment of the book from literary writing to essay. Textual genres that always follow me, even in periods of time pressure, on a trip, in waiting areas, in moments of relaxation, when I open a book that is patiently waiting for me to embrace it in my hands. most recent book by the vice-mayor of Athens, Thanasis Heimonas, “Trojan”).
Who was the person from your environment who introduced you to the love of books?
I remember myself, among stacks of books spread out in every part of the house. My family environment was strongly bibliophilic and influenced me positively in terms of reading and studying. Perhaps because there were various discussions regarding books, authors and ideas, which then continued smoothly at school, as well as in my later studies and academic journey. Here I must note that a pivotal role in my capacity as a reader was played by my transition to the other side, that is, to that of the writer and columnist. With the science books I have published I have found a more complete interface between reading and writing. One feeds the other.
Who was your role model in life?
My model was and is not to submit to standards that narrow my perspective on life, but to try to open my own path that meets collectively with the path of many others. My path has taught me to accept influences, to interact, to be open to criticism and questioning, to seek dialogue and convergences. Isn’t that what we can get out of reading the books we choose? Books are us.
In an age of fear, division, ignorance, bigotry and misinformation, books have the power to help! Does the mayor of Athens, through his new duties, have any ideas to help this neglected area?
I recently experienced a situation that upset me a lot, when thousands of books were stolen from the homeless bookstore. It was an act of analgesia, like a deprivation of spiritual food as necessary as physical living. I went on the ground and made a public commitment that all possibilities of migration and development of an e-selling platform would be explored. It goes without saying that in the context of municipal cultural activities, events such as author presentations, book readings, cultivating a love of reading, and of course we will support and strengthen the municipal libraries, in cooperation with friendship clubs, local associations, schools, etc., have an unquestionable place.
Venues for writers’ events have become hard to find these days, and if they do exist, each writer has to shell out a fortune. Let’s hope for your help;
One of the goals we have set in the Municipality of Athens is the promotion of cultural creation in all forms. We are talking regarding a metropolis of culture that can and should give rise to any personal or social creative expression. Especially to young writers and artists. As a municipal authority, we consider it absolutely important to invest in human capital and to allocate spaces and resources for cultural activities in all neighborhoods.
Will we finally be able to move around in the center of Athens safely? We understand the burden that each mayor has to bear, but as citizens we have our concerns too! We wish you a good start, good strength, be well and achieve the best for our Athens!
The new municipal authority has set the issue of security as its main priority. Along with increasing surveillance, adequate lighting and other measures to prevent lawlessness, let us take into account that the cultural and educational development of the city through related cultural and sports activities, is a serious dimension for the security of citizens, with a guarantee of course rights and freedoms. Our approach to safety and public spaces is based on three key elements: lighting, cleanliness and vibrancy.
Do you read digital books?
The lifelong relationship I’ve developed with the book doesn’t mean I don’t make the most of the technology. As much as we are connected to the use of the “print language”, we must not forget the possibilities (and dangers) of the digital revolution. After all, print does not lose its value in the digital world, but on the contrary its role is expanded so that it is organically connected with the virtual, the oral, the spatial. The form itself is also transformed into better multimodal forms of expression. It is important to acquire the supplies and skills that allow one to navigate, in different places and times of life and by alternative means each time.
HIS BOOKS
* Haris Doukas, Ioannis Psarras, “Policy decision models in energy and environmental systems”, (published by Symmetria2004)
* Haris Doukas, Alexandros Flamos, «Understanding risks and uncertainties in energy and climate policy», (Springer Open, 2018)
* Haris Doukas, Alexandros Nikas, Ioannis Psarras, “Multi-criteria Decision Models in Energy and Environmental Systems”, (published by Symmetria, 2020, 2nd edition)
* Haris Doukas, ElissaiosSarmas, PanosXidonas, “Multicategory Portfolio Construction with Python”, (Springer 2020)
Publications : Over 200 publications in international scientific journals. Extensive article writing in the Greek press and on social networks
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