The Maria Callas Museum receives Special Commendation at the European Museum of the Year Awards 2025

We are pleased to share that the Maria Callas Museum has received a Special Commendation from the jury of the European Museum of the Year Awards 2025 — a significant recognition at European level. Special Commendations are given to museums that have developed a new and innovative approach in specific aspects of their public service and from which other European museums can learn.

“The sixth commendation goes to a museum whose innovative scenography powerfully and skillfully captures the theatricality and performance that defined a world-renowned singer’s career and primary artistic expression. Visitors are immersed in the world of the opera singer through texts, objects, videos, and rare sound clips, as the life and career of Maria Callas unfold”

The announcement was made during the EMYA awards ceremony, which this year was hosted at the Sybir Memorial Museum in Białystok, Poland.

In less than two years of operation, the Maria Callas Museum is already gaining international recognition for its contemporary, innovative, and interactive approach. This distinction reflects our commitment to developing a museum with a global outlook — one that keeps Maria Callas’s memory and artistic legacy alive through an immersive and accessible experience.

Technopolis City of Athens, as the coordinating institution of the museum, has steadily supported this endeavor from the very beginning, aiming to highlight the cultural identity of the city and promote the outreach of municipal institutions.

Kostis Papaioannou, President of Technopolis City of Athens, stated: “This special commendation for the Maria Callas Museum is a significant recognition for a municipal museum that, in the very heart of Athens, manages to combine the uniqueness of Callas’ personality with contemporary museological practices. With its educational focus, a wide range of artistic activities, and a strong emphasis on inclusivity and accessibility for all, this museum enriches the cultural landscape of our city and reaffirms Technopolis’ role as an institution that invests in the vitality and international outreach of culture.”

Maria Florou, Head of Museums (Maria Callas Museum & Industrial Gas Museum) of Technopolis City of Athens, stated: “Our nomination and ultimately our distinction at EMYA 2025 was the culmination of years of hard work and collaborations with different individuals and institutions. Our participation in this event over the past few days has inspired us with new ideas and strengthened our awareness that other contemporary museums, too, are creating the best possible conditions every day to remain true to their goals and values, and above all, to respect their audiences. This experience empowers us to continue our work with perseverance and professional integrity.”

Special mention goes to the rest 41 nominated museums that participated in EMYA 2025. Each one, with its own unique identity, demonstrates the power of museums to innovate, to bring communities together, and to inspire through contemporary approaches to storytelling and engagement. Sharing this experience and exchanging ideas with these institutions was both an honor and a true source of inspiration for us.

We sincerely thank Ms. Danielle Kuijten, member of the European Museum Forum and of the jury of EMYA 2025, for her visit as part of the evaluation process, as well as the rest of the EMYA jury for this important distinction.
And to all of you — thank you for visiting, supporting, and sharing your experiences. Your participation drives the ongoing growth of this unique cultural initiative.