ATHENS – There are too many treasures and delights in Athens to justice to in a brief article, but one of the most pleasant surprises for Greek and non-Greek visitors alike are the country’s open air cinemas.

On July 28 the War Museum in Athens – a remarkable place worthy of a separate visit – invited friends of the institution and the general public to the grand opening on its grounds of the latest ‘therino cinema’ to grace Greece’s capital.

Nestled on museum grounds and fully stocked with snacks and beverages – it’s wonderful to be able to sip wine, beer, or a mixed drink as the ‘reels unspool’ – the CINE Polemiko Mouseio presented its first feature, Eiffel, a 2021, a movie about the great French engineer and his glorious tower.

The National Herald spoke with entrepreneur Giorgos Tsitopoulos about the birth of the venue, the first cinema for the veteran of the catering industry. He is a partner in the company that runs the cafeteria at the War Museum, which is how the theater opportunity presented itself.

“The space they offered was perfect. The museum’s officials had a discussion with us and Pano Papadakos” – who became a partner in the venture along with Tasos Tzarimas – “about this unused space. We decided to move forward with a venue that supplements the cultural offerings of the museum.”

Tsitopoulos said, “we will present what are first-run movies for Greece, changing each week – although if we don’t find one that reflects the spirit of the museum, we would repeat a popular recent offering.”

In designing the theater, they prioritized seating comfort as well as the sound and projection system for the maximum enjoyment of the patrons.

Under discussion are film festivals and thematic film series in the future in cooperation with other organizations.

Even in the age of Netflix, it is wonderful to watch a movie in a place where hundreds of people are laughing, clapping, sighing at the same time. This reporter is looking forward to his first visit to Cine Thisio at 7 Apostolou Pavlou Avenue in Athens’ Thisio district – watching a movie with the Acropolis lit up in the distance! Here are a few more among the outdoor cinemas to enjoy when in Athens: Cine Anesis, 14 Kifissias Avenue,

Ampelokipi; Cine Riviera 46 Valtetsiou, Exarchia; Cinema Dexameni, Dexamenis Square, Kolonaki; Aigli Zappeiou in the Zappeio National Gardens – reportedly the oldest Therino Cinema; Cine Paris, 22 Kydathinaion, Plaka; Floisvos Cinema in Marina Floisvou, Paleo Faliro – by the coast.