International Museum Day at the Thessaloniki Cinema Museum

Joining the worldwide celebration of the International Museum Day, on Monday May 18th, the Thessaloniki Cinema Museum opens its doors from 9am to 8pm with a free admission for the public, inviting its visitors to discover the small and big secrets of its history.

Were you aware that Greek icon Melina Merkouri was thrilled to hear the idea of a museum dedicated to Greek cinema? Or that the unveiling of the Museum was a three-day tribute for the 100th anniversary since the birth of cinema, held at Olympion in December 1995?

Within the Museum’s exhibition premises we come across a rare “magical lantern”, precursor of the modern-day projector, the old weighing scale of Warehouse A, dating from the times the building was used as a crop warehouse, and precious collectible items such as the trenchcoat worn by Bruno Ganz in Theo Angelopoulos’ Eternity and a Day, the dress worn by Greek star Aliki Vougiouklaki in the film Ace of Spades and the little suitcase carried everywhere by legendary Greek comic actor Thanasis Vengos in the film Help! It’s Vengos, Overt Agent “OOO”.

And the icing on the cake of the Museum’s secrets: When the Museum re-opened its doors in 2009, following its renovation, its very first visitor was no other than Theo Angelopoulos, who wrote on the visitors’ book: “A fine journey. Fine. If only it would last a little longer, like a one-take…”

This Monday, we are inviting you to follow the exhibition’s course unraveling like a one-take, and to discover first-hand the exhibits and the memories of Greek cinema.