What makes today special? Monday, 19 August 2024, is full moon day and there is free entrance to a selection of archaeological sites and monuments in Greece.

The official poster pictured above produced by Greece's Ministry for Culture quotes Sappho and Anne Carson's book 'If Not, Winter - Fragments of Sappho' aptly translates the words as:

full appeared the moon.

The Acropolis Museum in Athens and its restaurant will also open from 8pm until midnight as the celebrations for this August full moon also include a concert by the historic Hellenic Air Force Band performing Greek songs about the moon, film score music and renowned melodies.

The concert will take place in the museum’s entrance courtyard at 9pm. 

The Hellenic Air Force Band is formed by senior and junior officers, high-level musicians who studied at various conservatories of Greece and were admitted into the ranks of the Air Force.

The band takes part in worldwide music festivals including New York's 5th Avenue parade dedicated to Greece's March 25th celebrations.

Major Alexandros Litsardopoulos is the conductor of the band. The singers that will perform are Sofia Zova and Angelos Mousikas.

The Acropolis Museum celebrates August Full Moon on Friday 12 August 2022 with Greek songs about the moon, film music and famous melodies from abroad, performed by the historic Hellenic Air Force Band, in the Museum’s entrance courtyard at 9 p.m.

The Hellenic Air Force Band consists of senior and junior officers – high-level musicians who studied at various conservatories of the country and were admitted into the ranks of the Air Force after passing certain exams. The Band takes part in worldwide music festivals and leads the 5th Avenue parade in New York dedicated to March 25th celebrations of the Greek expatriates. Major Alexandros Litsardopoulos is the conductor of the Band. The singers that will perform are Elena Orfanidi and Aggelos Mousikas.

The Museum will remain open from 8 a.m. to 12 midnight with free entry for all visitors from 9 p.m. onwards, giving visitors the opportunity to stroll through the galleries and enjoy the view of the Acropolis under the magical moonlight. The restaurant on the second floor will be open during the same hours.