This year we’re waiting for you at the Acropolis Museum, where you’ll find a festive atmosphere especially for our young visitors – with children’s workshops from the Museum’s educational- programs team, Christmas music from the Athens State Orchestra, holiday swing tunes from the spirited band “The Swingin’ Cats” and a special appearance by Greek actor, director, screenwriter and author of children’s books, Karmen Rouggeri, who will narrate fairy tales to children.
The Acropolis Museum’s lucky charm for 2019
The Acropolis Museum’s specially designed lucky charm for 2019 is inspired by the architectural decoration of the Archaic-era Parthenon or “Hekatompedon”, featuring engraved and painted anthemia and lotus flowers. This brilliant first Parthenon, built about 570 BC and dedicated to the goddess Athena, marked the start of the brilliant rise also of Athena’s namesake city. The temple’s pediment is presented in the Archaic Acropolis Gallery on the first floor. Discover the 2019 lucky charm and other unique items available for Christmas at the Museum’s Shops.
Musical events
On Sunday, 23 December, 2018, at 12 noon, on the Museum’s ground floor, the music ensemble “Chronos” of the Athens State Orchestra will offer Christmas carols and traditional Christmas melodies from around the world. Musicians: Nelly Economidou (violin), Mikhail Smirnov (viola), Evi Papathanasiou (cello), Kostas Chardas (piano), Costas Siskos (French horn).
On Sunday, 23 December, 2018, at 12 noon, on the Museum’s ground floor, the well-known band “The Swingin’ Cats” will perform favorite holiday songs and swing tunes. Musicians: Eva Tsachra (voice), George Zervos (vocals, electric guitar), Stathis Paraskevopoulos (double bass), Nikos Saltas (keyboards), Vangelis Katsarelis (trumpet) and Dimitris Kalonaros (drums).
Gallery talks “from the forbidden city imperial apartments of Qianlong”
Guided by the Acropolis Museum’s archaeologist-hosts, visitors to the temporary exhibition “From the forbidden city: imperial apartments of Qianlong” will catch a glimpse of rarely seen artifacts, art works and furniture, revealed to the public for the first time from the private palace quarters of the Chinese emperor Qianlong (1711-1799), in the Forbidden City of Peking (Beijing).
Days & hours: In addition to regular presentations every Friday (1 pm), Saturday and Sunday (11 am & 1 pm), two additional presentations will be held on Monday, 24/12 and Monday, 31/12 at 11 am.
Duration: 60 minutes
Participation: The gallery talks are free of charge. Only an admission ticket to the temporary exhibition is required (€3). For registration, please go to the Information Desk inside the Museum entrance on the day of the event. Each session has limited availability (up to 25 visitors); first come, first served.
Children’s workshop “Wishes and symbols”
What do we remember from the year we’re leaving behind? And what do we wish for in the coming year? Health, love and strength? Or perhaps wisdom, abundance and success? Now come join in as we say goodbye to the old year and welcome the new! We’ll have a treasure hunt through the Museum’s exhibition halls for memories and wishes, then use our “treasure” to create seasonal cards for both the Museum and our own loved ones.
Program (in Greek only): Thursday, 27/12; Friday, 28/12; Saturday, 29/12; Thursday, 3/1; Friday, 4/1; Saturday, 5/1 – all days at 11 am & 1 pm
Duration: 90 minutes
Ages: children 6-11 years old
Participation: Participation for children is free. Parental escort is necessary.
The workshop is presented by the Acropolis Museum’s archaeologist-hosts and the Information and Education department of the Acropolis Monuments Restoration Service (YSMA).
Children’s stories by Karmen Rouggeri
Our young visitors will have the chance to listen to stories of gods, goddesses and heroes written and read by Karmen Rouggeri, accompanied by a guitarist, on the Museum’s second-floor balcony, with a view of the Archaic Acropolis Gallery.
Program (in Greek): Saturday 22/12 & Sunday 23/12, at 11 a.m.
Duration: 60 minutes
Ages: children 4 to 8 years old
Participation: Participation for children is free. Parental escort is necessary.
Festive meals and Christmas atmosphere in the Museum restaurant
During the Christmas holiday season, the Acropolis Museum’s restaurant will be serving traditional festive dishes and sweets from its new winter menu, musically accompanied by the melodious sounds of the harp. On Fridays in December, known artists from the Athens jazz scene will bring Christmas color to the restaurant, offering their interpretations of tunes from the international jazz repertoire. For reservations, please contact the Acropolis Museum during open hours, at 210 9000915.
