By now a tradition, each year, the August full moon is celebrated around Greece with numerous events and free night-time entrances to archaeological sites and museums across the country. This year, the full moon falls on August 10. Moon-gazers won’t just enjoy any full moon but the closest and largest full moon of the year as it will be the nearest supermoon of 2014.
Where will you be when the extra-close supermoon rises?
Acropolis Museum
The Acropolis Museum on Dionysiou Areopagitou street will celebrate the August Full Moon with opera classics, film music and famous Greek melodies performed by the historic Hellenic Air Force Band at the entrance courtyard. The Hellenic Air Force Band consists of senior and junior officers with Lieutenant Alexandros Litsardopoulos at the helm. In the spirit of the supermoon, the museum will remain open from 8am to midnight with free entry for all visitors from 9am onwards.
Archaeological Sites
Traditionally, dozens of archaeological sites across the country are open to visitors who wish to see the marbles bathed in the light of the night during August full moon. Traditionally, the Parthenon and the Temple of Poseidon (see below) at Sounio are the sites that get the most attention. Admission is free at all ancient sites across the country during the August full moon. This year, discussions are underway between workers and the Greek state as to whether the sites will be open. It should be noted that guards on duty during August full moon events have been doing this on a voluntary basis since 2010.
Averof Battleship
The G. Averof Floating Maritime Museum Battleship will celebrate the August full moon with a unique concert. Composer Michael Koumbios instrumental compositions are inspired by narrations of the Sea and the Moon. Singer Vasilis Lekkas, Savveria Margiola, Harry Makris and a group of other musicians will perform at the Greek warship that served as the flagship of the Royal Hellenic Navy during most of the first half of the 20th century. The ship is permanently docked at Palaio Faliro and everyone is welcome aboard during the full moon.
Screenings
Why not celebrate the occasion of the full moon with the Eugenides Foundation Planetarium’s (379 Syngrou Avenue, Palaio Faliro) screening of “Back to the Moon for Good”? The show opens on the first era of space exploration in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Then the Google Lunar XPrize is introduced as the largest incentivized competition to date, designed to democratize space and create new opportunities for eventual human and robotic presence on the Moon. Immerse yourself in a race to return to the Moon 40 years after the historic Apollo landings. See how a competition among privately funded international teams is ushering in a new era of lunar exploration. Learn about the Moon’s resources and discover what humanity’s future on the Moon might hold. At Hellenic Cosmos (254 Pireos St, Tavros), “Conquering the Skies: A Dream for Mankind” also focuses on the history of space travel from antiquity to today.
Gazi
A romantic night of full moon poetry is in store by people who wish to celebrate the occasion with lyricism. Poet Alkiviadis Alexandris will read from his own poems and encourages other budding poets to join in and share their works of literature. The event, titled “Strange Days in a Strange City”, takes place at Polyhoros Hytirio (44 Iera Odos, Gazi)
Bolivar Beach Bar, Alimos Beach
A full moon party takes place at the Bolivar Beach Bar. DJ Kiko Navarro performs a fusion of deep house, garage underground, latin, afro, disco, and other old school and dance floor classics for plenty of dancing under the light of the moon. Admission is at 5 euros at the Bolivar Beach Bar that is at Poseidonos Avenue, Alimos.
