In its first year of operation, despite the harsh challenges brought on by the pandemic, the Basil and Elise Goulandris Foundation has managed to thrive and to carry out its founders’ vision of creating a museum in Athens that would give audiences of all kinds the opportunity to connect with the art that its founders so loved.

On October 4, to mark its first anniversary, the Foundation invites members of the public to visit, free of charge, and to enjoy a day especially conceived for the occasion. The program includes an exhibition of photographs by Christophoros Doulgeris entitled “In the Making,” which charts the Foundation’s construction.

Online reservation is required to participate in the celebrations. To avoid overcrowding in the building, visitors will be given a specific timeslot for their visit. The museum will offer extended opening hours, from 10:00 to 20:00, to facilitate access to as many people as possible. The use of face masks will be required throughout the whole visit.

Entry tickets will also count as registration in the “One Year at the Museum” competition, which offers a range of attractive prizes, such as membership packages, private guided tours and much more.

Speaking ahead of the anniversary celebrations, Director of the Basil and Elise Goulandris Foundation Kyriakos Koutsomallis said: “We would like to think of the past year as both a conclusion and a prelude. It will mark the end of negative events and the start of a new age which will return us to the sphere of normality. In any case, we will do everything possible for the heart of the dream of our founders, to keep beating strongly during our second anniversary year.”

The museum, which has become such an important part of the Athenian cultural life in just nine months–it was forced to close to the public for three months due to the pandemic –is a rich cultural and educational institution aimed at all ages. Having successfully completed its first year, it looks forward to a more diverse and exciting future, circumstances permitting.