The Maria Callas Museum Nominated for the European Museum of the Year Award 2025

Having just completed its first year of operation, the Maria Callas Museum has been shortlisted for the European Museum of the Year Awards 2025 (EMYA), showcasing its potential as a contemporary cultural institution with an international outlook.

This prestigious award, along with the individual special category awards, represents the highest distinction in Europe for museums. The organized and impartial evaluation process ensures recognition of professional excellence, innovation, and creativity, despite the significant differences in museum types, scales, and funding sources.

The EMYA awards honor museums that go beyond traditional storytelling, promoting standards of excellence, sustainability, and social responsibility. The evaluation emphasizes the contribution of museums to society, their connection with communities, their ability to inspire through creativity, and their commitment to sustainability, dialogue, and inclusion.

Among 41 nominated museums from across Europe, the grand winner will be announced in May 2025 at the Sybir Memorial Museum in Białystok, Poland.

Kostis Papaioannou, President of Technopolis of the Municipality of Athens (the managing body of the Maria Callas Museum), stated: “The nomination of the Maria Callas Museum for the European Museum of the Year Award 2025 is a significant moment not only for our museum but also for the cultural life of our city. We are proud that, within just one year of operation, our museum is being recognized internationally as a space of innovation, creativity, and a bridge connecting cultural heritage with the modern era. I sincerely thank the evaluation committee for this honor, the museum team for their exceptional work and dedication, and everyone who supported our vision and embraced the museum, contributing significantly to its success.”

Maria Florou, Head of the Museums Sector (Maria Callas Museum & Industrial Gas Museum) of Technopolis of the Municipality of Athens, commented: “The Maria Callas Museum of the Municipality of Athens, one of Athens’ newest museums, has been included on the list of nominees for EMYA 2025. This is a great honor for us and a commitment to continue our important work, regardless of challenges. This process has been fascinating, teaching us a great deal and filling us with inspiration. I would like to warmly thank the committee member who visited us, Ms. Danielle Kuijten, and we look forward to presenting our museum and its activities in Poland in May 2025.”

With over 38,000 visitors from more than 50 countries during its first year of operation, the museum has already established itself as a point of reference for opera, music, and culture enthusiasts worldwide. At the same time, it has managed to captivate audiences unfamiliar with the complex art of opera through its exhibitions, educational programs, artistic events, and social initiatives.

The museum’s first year was marked by the continuous growth of its collection, thanks to valuable donations and loans, as well as collaborations with international organizations and actions promoting inclusion and accessibility.

From the heart of Athens, the Maria Callas Museum aspires to establish itself firmly in the international museum and cultural landscape as a hub of connection and creativity. Building on the legacy of Maria Callas, its vision is to create bridges of communication with diverse audiences and artistic organizations, blending innovation with human expression.