Special Commendation — a significant European distinction- was received by the Maria Callas Museum of the Municipality of Athens by the jury of the European Museum of the Year Awards 2025.
The announcement was made at the EMYA awards ceremony, which this year was hosted by the Sybir Memorial Museum in Białystok, Poland.
Special commendations are given to museums that have developed new and innovative approaches, from which other European museums can draw inspiration.
The Mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, emphasized: “The special mention of the Maria Callas Museum from the European Museum of the Year Awards 2025 is an excellent recognition for Athens and the Museum, which is now recognized at the European level for its modern, innovative, and interactive character. This specific distinction strengthens our vision to become a museum with an international orientation, which honors the memory and artistic legacy of Maria Callas in a way that is lively, experiential, and accessible to all. An important additional recognition is the 49,000 visitors who honored us from January 2024 to May 2025. Warm congratulations to the Technopolis team, to the people of the Museum, to the collaborators and scientists who worked with dedication to combine innovation with memory.”
Kostis Papaioannou, President of Technopolis of the Municipality of Athens, the Museum’s management body, stated: “This special mention for the Maria Callas Museum is an important recognition for a municipal museum that, centered in the heart of Athens, manages to combine the uniqueness of Callas’ personality with modern museum practices. With an educational character, a variety of artistic activities and an emphasis on inclusion and accessibility for all, this museum enriches the cultural landscape of our city and confirms the role of Technopolis as an institution that invests in the dynamic and extroverted nature of culture.”
Maria Florou, Head of the Museums Sector (Maria Callas Museum & Industrial Gas Museum) of Technopolis, Municipality of Athens, pointed out: “Our participation in this organization in recent days has inspired us with new ideas, reinforcing the awareness that other modern museums are also creating the best conditions every day to remain true to their goals, values and, above all, to respect their audience. This makes us stronger to continue our work with perseverance and professional integrity.”
The reference to the Museum during the ceremony was as follows: “The sixth special mention is awarded to a museum whose innovative scenography captures with vivacity and skill the theatricality and interpretive dimension that defined the career and artistic expression of a world-famous singer. Visitors are immersed in the world of the soprano through texts, objects, videos, and rare audio excerpts, as the life and career of Maria Callas unfolds.”
A total of 41 museums participated in the EMYA 2025, and seven received Special Mentions. Each, with its own identity, demonstrates the ability of museums to innovate, unite communities, and inspire with modern ways of storytelling and participation.
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