National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Celebrates International Museum Day

On Monday, 18 May 2026, the Museum of Archaeology and History of Art at the School of Philosophy, on the Zografou Campus, hosted an event to mark International Museum Day, titled ‘University of Athens Museums Bring Science and Society Together’.

Opening remarks were delivered by Professor Gerasimos Siasos, Rector of the University of Athens.

This was followed by a welcome address from Vice-Rector, Professor Sophia Papaioannou.

The programme featured talks by academics, museum directors, and cultural heritage professionals from across the University and beyond.

Professor Nikolaos Thomaidis, Deputy Chair of the Administration Council and President of the Company for the Development and Management of the Property of the University of Athens, spoke on ‘University Museums: Prospects and Development’.

Professor Platon Petridis, Chair of the Department of History and Archaeology and Director of the Museum of Archaeology and History of Art, presented ‘The Museum of Archaeology and History of Art Looking to the Future’.

Assistant Professor of Museology Marlen Mouliou discussed ‘The University of Athens Museums as a Constellation: Connections Across Fields With Vision and Meaning’.

Professor Efstratios Valakos of the Department of Biology and Director of the Museum of Zoology delivered a talk titled ‘The Museum of Zoology at the University of Athens: Shedding Light on Animal Diversity as It Unfolds Over Time’.

Former Assistant Professor of Physical Anthropology Konstantinos Merdenisianos addressed the audience on ‘The Museum of Anthropology at the University of Athens Medical School and Its Contribution to Research on Human Evolution’.

Dr Vassileios Tsetsos, Managing Director of Museotek SA, explored the theme ‘Museum Education for All Through Technology’.

The event concluded with a presentation by Dr Evangelos Papoulias, Head of the Department of Museums and the Historical Archive at the University of Athens, titled ‘Connecting the World Through University Heritage’.

In his opening remarks, Rector Gerasimos Siasos emphasised that museums today are far more than repositories of history. ‘They are active interlocutors of the present and valuable allies of the future,’ he noted. ‘Technological progress and new ways of engaging and sharing knowledge are shaping an environment in which museums are called upon to strengthen their role as vital pillars of development and agents of change in society. This event offers a meaningful opportunity to highlight the role of the University of Athens Museums as spaces for preserving and documenting scientific and cultural heritage, but above all as active centres of knowledge, research, education, and public dialogue. For us at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, the notion of the museum is inseparable from our history, our identity, and our public mission. Our university museums contribute to teaching, support research, engage with the public, host activities, and collaborate with schools, communities, and social organisations. Today, the University’s museums continue their educational mission by offering public access to collections of national and international significance. At the same time, they make use of digital applications, interactive tools, and new forms of museum education, contributing to a more open, accessible, and participatory cultural environment. Each university museum has followed its own distinctive path, reflecting both the history and evolution of higher education in our country.’

Following the event, a reception was held in the Cast Gallery.

As part of the celebrations, the University’s museums opened their doors to the public, offering guided tours, educational activities, screenings, presentations, and themed events.

Photos: Dimitris Konstantinidis