Interview with the Russian American archaeologist Michele Mitrovich

Dear Michele you are an archeologist from what we know. Tell us about your story. Was this a life goal or an alternative in your life?

First of all, thank you so much for inviting me for this interview. I’m deeply touched and honored by the fact that you took such interest in my life story. Well, my fascination with archaeology originated back to my high school days and later, when I discovered the awe-inspiring worlds of Minoan Crete and Mycenaean Greece. That’s when I knew that this is exactly what I wanted to do with my life. Besides the excitement of digging in the rich Greek dirt and writing about its extraordinary treasures, I want to be an educator. I already started teaching Greek archaeology and mythology at the University of Texas at Austin in the capacity of a Teaching Assistant but of course, ultimately, I want to be a fully-fledged professor. In addition to working on my research on Bronze Age Aegean iconography, this is where my biggest passion lies.

You live in the US but you are Russian. Tell us more about your childhood and how did you end up in America? Was it for education?

I grew up in a big city in the southwest of Russia, called Volgograd now, but previously known as Stalingrad. It is famous for its legendary battle and crucial role in the course of the Second World War. Why did I move to the States? No, believe it or not, it wasn’t for education, even though it consequently resulted in a lot of education in more ways than one. It was for love! After finishing high school I moved to Moscow and that’s where I met my future husband who is from New York. We are no longer together but he is an amazing person and we are still good friends.

You have a genuine love for Greece and its culture. How this feeling has been cultivated? Is it because of the ancient history?

My admiration of Greece is so multifaceted that I don’t know where to begin. If I start at the beginning, then I should say, “Once upon a time there was a little girl who loved to read, and one of her favorite books was a volume that transported her into the fascinating and magical world of Ancient Greek myths, so full of drama and adventure. Being a philosophically inclined child, and a poet since age 9, I always contemplated life as a grand and epic journey, brimming with challenges, conquests and discoveries, so naturally, my favorite characters were Odysseus and Jason with his Argonauts. Of course, afterward I got very interested in Ancient Greek art as well, but it was only many years later, when I was already living in the US and studying Greek archaeology, Ancient Greek language and Aegean Prehistory, that I actually got to know the people. I made a lot of amazing friends when I lived in the Greek neighborhood in Astoria, Queens, in New York, and fell in love with the incredible warmth and openness of the Greek people. They are genuine and passionate; they love life and know how to enjoy it and that resonates with me so strongly. Oh, and a very important detail – they are so musical and love to dance and I’m quite a dancer myself! I love traditional Greek music. I heard so many wonderful outdoor concerts in Athens Square Park in Astoria. When in the summer of 2019 I travelled to Greece, visited some spectacular museums and wandered the charming old streets of Plaka in Athens, became a witness to breathtaking sunsets in Oia on Santorini and spent ten weeks on the enchanting island of Crete, working as a part of the Mochlos Archaeological Project team, I realized that I was hopelessly in love with Greece. I didn’t want to leave, I wanted to stay there!

What do you believe about modern Greece in the new era ? Is it something you know and you want to discover?

Ancient Greece was the cradle of democracy and of Western civilization. Modern Greece preserves this valuable heritage and thousands of years of its extraordinary history and culture, but also adds a lot of refreshing modernity into the mix. Life in Greece is rich and vibrant, it’s sunny and beautiful. Who doesn’t want to live the famed Mediterranean lifestyle? Besides, one of the best things about Greece is its people – warm, welcoming, friendly and open. I really can’t say that I discovered Greece for myself. I’d say I only started discovering it but the more I learn, the more still waits to be discovered.

The Covid19 crisis has changed the world right now. How do you see the future of work ?

Yes, this awful pandemic brought a lot of grief and challenges to people all around the world. It turned our lives upside-down. The disease touched lives of some of my friends but fortunately they recovered and I’m lucky that my health was not affected, but the crisis definitely impacted my life. I was as blue as the waves of the Aegean Sea and my tears were probably just as salty when I learned that my summer 2020 plans to excavate on Crete got cancelled! There are plenty of negatives about this new mode of life which we are all experiencing these days. However, there are also some unexpected benefits. We realized that so much of our work and study can be done online and ultimately, we can be anywhere, in any part of the world, and do all our work remotely. I think the future of work is in flexibility and freedom, in being able to choose and control our own work environment. You don’t need to be chained to an office cubicle anymore. If you want to work while lounging on a beach with your laptop somewhere on the Greek islands, you can! As vaccination programs expand and travelling bans get lifted, we can make such a dream a reality.

Are you planning to make any projects in Greece regarding ancient Greek history?

Yes, absolutely! I’m fortunate to have received an invitation from Dr. Diamantis Panagiotopoulos (University of Heidelberg), the Director of the Koumasa Interdisciplinary Excavation & Research Project on Crete to join his excavation team this summer. So I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it will be possible.

We know that you are also a member of Ahepa family. What is your experience from the brotherhood until now? Do you have any Greek friends ?

Oh my god, I love my big wonderful AHEPA family! I have so many friends among my brothers in Adelphi Chapter #25 (Manhattan, NY). I also served as the Recording Secretary and a core member of the team that reactivated the Manhattan Chapter Evryklea #36 of the Daughters of Penelope. Although consequently I moved to Austin, TX for my PhD program, I am still an active member. I go back to New York very often and with our chapter meetings being held online these days, the distance is not a problem. I love my Evryklea sisters and love the opportunity to work jointly on some meaningful charitable projects.

For the closing we would like to send a message to the young people that despite the difficulties of our time would love to chase their dreams.

I wholeheartedly would like to inspire and encourage young people and people of all ages – it’s never too early or too late to go after your dreams! Don’t make some perfectly wonderful dreams go to waste, they can never come true unless you make that all-important first step and actively bring them into your life. Your life can be anything you want it to be. Go for it, don’t waste precious moments, days, months and years in doubts and hesitations. You can do it!

Michele on behalf of the whole team of News and Life we would like to thank you for this interesting interview.

Thank you so much and ευχαριστώ πάρα πολύ for inviting me and for your interesting questions! I like it how you don’t need to say farewell in Greek, you can just say γεια σου which can mean either hi or bye. So I hope we will meet again soon, τα λέμε!