People in Greece enjoy full moon in museums and archaeological sites

In celebration of the biggest and brightest moon of August, Greek people and foreign tourists enjoyed on Sunday evening the romantic view in ancient historical and heritage surroundings free of charge across Greece.

As every year since 1996, the Greek Ministry of Culture and Tourism organized more than 100 free events and late-night openings of archaeological sites and museums for the public after sunset.

Visitors had the opportunity to take part in guided tours and enjoy music and theatrical performances under the moon light.

Classical pieces inspired by the work of Sophocles, Shakespeare, Lorca and other celebrated writers were performed at the Temple of Poseidon at Sounio.

In the Acropolis museum?s courtyard, the historic Hellenic Air Force Band performed opera classics, film music and famous Greek melodies.

The museum remained open until midnight, giving visitors the opportunity to stroll through the galleries and enjoy the view of the Acropolis under the moonlight.

?It?s a marvelous night and once in a lifetime opportunity to watch the full moon reach its closest point to Earth, especially from here?, 35 year old Dimitris Kolios told Xinhua. Kolios decided to visit the Acropolis Museum with his friends to enjoy the view.

?In the hard times the country has been going through, such events give us hope to carry on and remind us that better days will come,? 30 year old Margarita Karagiorgi added.

A string of concerts was hosted also in dozens of other sites in Attica region and across the country. The islands of Ikaria, Lesvos, Lemnos, Samos, Chios, Psara, the Cyclades island complex and the archaeological site of Delphi were bridged through recorded readings of Odysseas Elytis? ?Axion Esti?, delivered by the Nobel Prize-winning Greek poet.

?Our goal is to enhance a feeling of optimism, pride and belief in our culture, and at the same time, since all the events are based on the work of volunteers, to showcase the values of offering, volunteering and cooperation, as we believe that these are our strongest weapons to deal with the difficult times we live in,? the 21st Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities said in a statement.

During the August full moon festival, the guards at the archaeological sites decided not to participate due to a pay dispute between the Ministry and them over extra allowances for working overtime.