ATHENS — The extension and renovation of the National Gallery constitutes "the first major project of the Culture and Sports Ministry in the new decade," according to a ministry announcement on Tuesday.

"The National Gallery will open its doors to Greek and foreign visitors and art lovers when the conditions allow with the temporary exhibition "1821 in painting. Greece demands its historic Art Gallery" with pieces of art from 19th century collections," the culture ministry added.

The announcement notes that "the National Gallery is being symbolically delivered on March 24, 2021, as Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis decided during his visit to the culture ministry on August 2, 2019. The National Gallery marks the start of the celebrations for the 200-year anniversary of the Greek Revolution. The Greek art of 19th and 20th century is hosted in the new National Gallery, develops alongside the history of free Greece and the establishment of the Greek state".