Greek Tourism Ministry Unites Greek History With Music On World Tourism Day

Professor Dimitrios Pantermalis, director of the New Acropolis Museum, looks on as the Greek Tourism Minister, Olga Kefalogianni, gives her welcoming speech at the museum, on the occasion of World Tourism Day. The museum recently received the Keck Award for 2012 by the International Institute for Conservation (IIC) in Vienna.

On the occasion of World Tourism Day, the Tourism Ministry and the Greek National Tourism Organization yesterday, 27 September, hosted a special concert of the Orchestra of Colors at the New Acropolis Museum.

“It is our duty to develop the country’s tourism sector based on the principles of sustainability, respect for the environment and quality of life. Based on moderation and the country’s natural beauty,” Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni said during her welcoming speech.

The Orchestra of Colors played orchestral pieces from “Gioconda’s Smile” – one of the most famous albums of Greek composer Manos Hadjidakis- in the museum’s hall of ancient sculptures. “Gioconda’s Smile” combined with the archaic smile of the Kore aimed to send “a message of hope and unity throughout the world,” the tourism ministry said in an announcement.

The Orchestra of Colors playing orchestral pieces from “Gioconda’s Smile” (Manos Hadjidakis) – view from the terrace overlooking the New Acropolis Museum’s hall of ancient sculptures.

“We aim to ‘marry’ ancient Greek history with music during the country’s attempt to regenerate hope and optimism… We wish for this day to be a new beginning of hope, where the smiles shall return back on the faces of the Greeks,” the tourism minister said.

Aegean Airlines filmed the musical performance to produce of a promotional video of Athens. The video is intended to be distributed to the international media and online via social media.

World Tourism Day 2012 was held under the theme “Tourism & Sustainable Energy: Powering Sustainable Development.”