Christmas events at the Athens Acropolis Museum
Children visiting the museum, will have the opportunity to create their own decoration ornaments inspired by objects in the Museum and learn how the ancient Greeks used to decorate branches of olive trees. For adult visitors, a series of thematic presentations are organized and titled “Celebrations of ancient Attica”. Music-wise, Christmas and New Year musical groups will spread their festive melodies across the museum's ground floor.
In more detail, the rich program of the Athens Acropolis Museum includes:
Children's workshops titled “Gifts for gods and people”
Children will be guided by the museum’s archaeologists into discovering the meaning of gifts in antiquity and today. After touring all the halls of the museum, children will have the opportunity to create inspirational gifts for their family and get even further into the Christmas spirit. Workshops will be held on Saturday, December 21st & Saturday, December 28th at 11:00 am & 5 pm, as well as, on Sunday, December 22nd & Sunday, December 29th at 5 pm & 6 pm. This workshop is suitable for up to 20 children aged 8-12 and the ticket costs 2 euro. A strict order of priority will be maintained. Workshop duration: 50 minutes.
Children's workshops titled "The Iresioni"
The custom of Iresioni will be explained to children who will then decorate olive branches as it was done in ancient Athens. They will also make their own decoration ornaments inspired by objects in the Museum. Workshops will be held on Sunday, December 22nd & Sunday, December 29th at 11:00 am, 12 midday, 13:30 pm and 14:30 pm. This workshop is suitable for up to 25 children aged 7-12 and the ticket costs 2 euro. A strict order of priority will be maintained. Workshop duration: 45 minutes.
Children's workshop “We make ancient pastries at the Museum”
The workshop’s concept is for children to learn the meaning of offering a sweet pastry treat in the ancient times. Archaeologists and children will tour the halls of the Museum and discuss about making gifts made of materials that do not last in time. At the restaurant area, children will make their own ancient pastry and taste contemporary dishes made of ingredients used in the ancient times. Workshops will be held on Sunday, December 22nd & Sunday, December 29th at 11:00 am & 1 pm. The workshop is suitable for up to 15 children aged 7-12 and the ticket costs 3 euro. A strict order of priority will be maintained. Workshop duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Presentations and adult gallery talks titled "Celebrations of ancient Attica”
Participants will be initiated to the feasts and celebrations of the ancient Greeks who inhabited in the region of Attica. Occasions for prayers, processions, offerings to the gods, dances, contests and symposiums. The adult gallery talks will take place on Saturday, December 21st & Saturday, December 28th at 12 midday and 18:00 pm. The presentations can accommodate up to 25 guests who have obtained the day pass / ticket. A strict order of priority will be maintained. For further information ask at the Info Booth at the museum’s entrance.
Christmas and New Year melodies
On Sunday midday December the 22nd the Athens Acropolis Museum will welcome the Music School of Ilion for the first time, for known Christmas tunes and carols by the orchestra of wind instruments. On Sunday midday December the 29th the historic ensemble of the Athens Military Music band will present guests with lovely festive tunes. Both musical groups will share their festive melodies on the ground floor of the museum.
The 2014 lucky charm
This year’s lucky charm has the shape of a snake which for the ancient Greeks had a very positive meaning featuring on the Erechtheion of the Acropolis, the therapeutic companion of Asclepius and many other cases.
Family backpacks
The Athens Acropolis Museum invites families to enjoy its collections available at the Information Desk in the form of backpacks.
Like every year, the Athens Acropolis Museum will remain closed on the 25th and the 26th of December, as well as, on the 1st of January.
Source : AMPE
