Renovated Greek National Gallery Ready to Welcome Foreign Leaders

The restored and modernized National Gallery of Greece is almost ready to open its gates to foreign leaders on the occasion of the bicentennial of the Greek War of Independence on March 25, 2020.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited the premises of the new Gallery on Saturday accompanied by Culture Minister Lina Mendoni.

Mitsotakis toured, among others, the hall with paintings related to the Greek War of Independence and other halls hosting modern Greek artworks.

The Prime Minister referred to the “spectacular result” that “reflects the love for a museum that symbolizes the history of the modern Greek State”

“We will be here again on Wednesday evening to admire the final result” said Mitsotakis referring to the tour of the official guests for the bicentennial of the Greek Revolution on March 25.

The Greek Premier also expressed the hope that the pandemic will soon be over, allowing the officials to make the inauguration of the National Gallery, probably in June.

Τhe area of the National Gallery has been totally restored and extended reaching 20,700 square meters.

Foreign leaders to visit the new National Gallery

Greece has extended invitations to the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, and Russia to attend the celebrations on the occasion of the bicentennial of the Greek War of Independence.

However, due to the extremely bad situation on the Coronavirus pandemic front, both Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and France’s President Emmanuel Macron had to cancel their visit to Athens.

On the contrary, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall will pay an official visit to Athens on March 24 and 25, to attend the events on the 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution.

The visit follows an invitation by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, an announcement from the premier’s office said on Friday.

The heir to the British throne and his wife had visited Greece again in 2018.