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The new opening hours of museums and archaeological sites was announced by Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras during an official meeting of their directors at the Acropolis Museum. In the upcoming summer period, 33 museums and archaeological sites will be open from 8 am to 8 pm seven days a week.

"I am talking about something that should have been done decades ago. We have succeeded and I am using this verb because we have been able to have these opening hours approved in times that are very difficult for the Greek economy," said Samaras.

Caryatids in the Acropolis Museum, Photo: amna.gr

According to his statements, the new opening hours will be in force from 1 April to 31 October. The initiative affects those sites that attract 95% of visitors and have the highest revenue.

"Think about how, a few years ago, we commented with Greek, but mainly with foreign citizens, that it was absolutely unacceptable for tourists from Japan or Australia to be unable to visit a museum because it was closed or the archaeological site of Delphi over the weekend because it was closed. We have put an end to this. This is an important step towards progress that has nothing to do with any ideology. I do not intend to bring right centrism to the fore. This is a case of the simple logic dictating that Greece should show what it is and Greece is culture first of all," said Samaras. At the same time, he announced that further action would be taken such as maintenance, cleaning and restoration of the green areas of museums and archaeological sites, sales of copies of exhibits and reorganization of the Archaeological Receipts Fund.

Temple of Apollo at Delphi, Photo: ethnos.gr

In parallel, the Greek Prime Minister announced that the unemployed could visit museums free of charge. "All of our fellow citizens who have a registration card issued from the labour exchange will be able to visit museums for free and the measure will soon be extended to other archaeological sites as well."