Whether you’ve just returned from your summer holidays or are planning a visit to Athens on Aug. 19, the Acropolis Museum’s courtyard offers a unique venue to enjoy the full moon of summer’s last month, known as the Sturgeon Moon.
In the pleasant atmosphere of the museum’s courtyard, the Hellenic Air Force (HAF) Band will perform an array of international and Greek musical pieces related to the moon, along with beloved film scores. The performance, under the baton of Maj. Alexandros Litsardopoulos, will feature soprano Sofia Zova and baritone Aggelos Mousikas.
The HAF Band is composed of senior and junior officers who are accomplished musicians, many of whom studied at the top conservatories in Greece, and joined the specific military branch through competitive exams. The band is well-known for its performances, including a parade appearance every three years to mark Greek Independence Day along New York’s 5th Avenue.
The concert is free and open to the public. Visitors who wish to explore the Acropolis Museum can do so between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., with a general admission fee.
For this special full moon occasion, the museum’s restaurant will be open from 9 p.m. to midnight. Reservations can be made via telephone (+30 210 9000915) or email (restaurant@theacropolismuseum.gr), and guests will need to obtain a free ticket at the museum entrance.
August’s full moon, a “supermoon”, will appear slightly larger than usual. Such lunar phenomena occur when the moon is at its closest point to Earth in its orbit, known as perigee.
According to the Farmer’s Almanac, the name “Sturgeon Moon” originates from the giant lake sturgeon of North America’s Great Lakes and Lake Champlain, a significant food source for Native Americans during this time of year.
