Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Wednesday that the new plans for the National Archaeological Museum of Athens will help transform it into a landmark for the capital and will have "more space to show the magnificent exhibits of one of the greatest collections globally."
Speaking at the presentation of the central museum's expansion project, the prime minister said, "we are showing less than 10% of what we have in storage," while he also cited disappointing numbers of visitors that barely exceed 500,000 a year for a national museum with such a wealth of artefacts.
The government's intention is to use private donations for the required reports, and national and EU funding to build the museum.
The premier also referred to the new law approved in Parliament this week that changes the legal status of the National and another four museums. The change will provide them with greater independence from the Culture Ministry, and flexibility to claim their place in the global museum map, he said.
Culture & Sports Minister Lina Mendoni said the National Archaeological Museum's expansion will revive the area around it and promote the national character of the museum, and hailed the project as a personal vision of Mitsotakis.
The plans include a second building connected to the current one without overshadowing it, gardens, and a green square.
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