WFFM General Assembly 2026 in Athens
WFFM will hold its 2026 General assembly in Athens from April 23 to 26.
Members registration is now open at:
https://forms.gle/iS9pPrrfR7Z6QtzX9
We’ll start on Thursday 23 at the War Museum with a colloquium organized by the Hellenic Federation of Friends of Museums, ΕΟΣΦΙΜ, on the challenges the museums are facing today with the participation of representatives from Greek and international museum institutions. We will continue in the afternoon with our usual Academic session, which will allow each country to discuss the actions carried out by its Friends of Museums over the past year. A welcome cocktail will conclude this first day.
On Friday and Saturday mornings, the Council and the Young Council will prepare the groundwork for the future while the other WFFM members and accompanying people will visit iconic places in Athens.
We will meet up in the afternoons to visit he city’s outstanding museums such as the Acropolis Museum, the Benaki Museum, and the Museum of Modern Greek Culture.
On Saturday evening, we’ll celebrate the 50th anniversary of WFFM and the 40th anniversary of ΕΟΣΦΙΜ.
Then, we’ll hold the WFFM General Assembly on Sunday morning at the Historical Museum of Athens in the place where the Greek Parliament used to sit, before meeting up for a farewell lunch in the gardens of the Numismatic Museum, weather permitting.
Provisional Program:
Thursday, April 23, all participants
War Museum Amphitheater
- 09:00-09:30 Welcome and WFFM participants registration
- 10:00-14:00 Colloquium “Friends and Museums: Challenges and perspectives in an ever-changing world” organized by ΕΟΣΦΙΜ, the Hellenic Federation of Friends of Museums
- 14:00-15:00 Light lunch in the premises
- 15:00-17:30 Academic session: WFFM members achievements in 2025
- 19:00 Reception and cultural entertainment
Friday, April 24
Council meetings, Royal Olympic Hotel rooms
- 09:30-12:30 Council and Young Council meeting: Following the colloquium, how could Friends of Museums respond to the new challenges museums are facing? Then separate Council and Young Council sessions
Other members and accompanying people
- 09:30 Museum of Modern Greek Culture (MNEP) visit followed by the Herakleidon Museum of Ancient Greek Technology visit
All participants
- 13:00 Acropolis hill and Parthenon visit
- 14:30-15:30 Free time for lunch
- 15:30-17:00 Guided tour of the Acropolis Museum
- 18:00-19:00 Athens Town Hall visit: guiding and refreshments
Saturday, April 25
Council’s meetings, Royal Olympic Hotel rooms
9:30-12:30 Council and Young Council sessions then Council and Young Council gather for conclusions
Other members and accompanying people
- 09:30-12:30 Archeological Museum visit, then move to the Byzantine and Christian Museum
All participants
- 13:00-14:00 Byzantine and Christian Museum visit
- 14:00-15:00 Free time for lunch
- 15:30 -17:00 Visit to the Greek Parliament, old Royal Palace of Greece, and its exhibitions
- 19:00: Benaki museum visit
- 20:00 Official dinner in the Benaki museum to celebrate WFFM’s 50th Anniversary and ΕΟΣΦΙΜ 40th anniversary
Sunday, April 26, all participants
● 09:30-12-00 General Assembly in the Athens Historical Museum, first location of the Greek Parliament
● 14:00-14:30 Farewell lunch in the gardens of the Numismatic Museum
WFFM will hold its 2026 General assembly in Athens from April 23 to 26.
Members registration is now open at:
https://forms.gle/iS9pPrrfR7Z6QtzX9
We’ll start on Thursday 23 at the War Museum with a colloquium organized by the Hellenic Federation of Friends of Museums, ΕΟΣΦΙΜ, on the challenges the museums are facing today with the participation of representatives from Greek and international museum institutions. We will continue in the afternoon with our usual Academic session, which will allow each country to discuss the actions carried out by its Friends of Museums over the past year. A welcome cocktail will conclude this first day.
On Friday and Saturday mornings, the Council and the Young Council will prepare the groundwork for the future while the other WFFM members and accompanying people will visit iconic places in Athens.
We will meet up in the afternoons to visit he city’s outstanding museums such as the Acropolis Museum, the Benaki Museum, and the Museum of Modern Greek Culture.
On Saturday evening, we’ll celebrate the 50th anniversary of WFFM and the 40th anniversary of ΕΟΣΦΙΜ.
Then, we’ll hold the WFFM General Assembly on Sunday morning at the Historical Museum of Athens in the place where the Greek Parliament used to sit, before meeting up for a farewell lunch in the gardens of the Numismatic Museum, weather permitting.
Provisional Program:
Thursday, April 23, all participants
War Museum Amphitheater
- 09:00-09:30 Welcome and WFFM participants registration
- 10:00-14:00 Colloquium “Friends and Museums: Challenges and perspectives in an ever-changing world” organized by ΕΟΣΦΙΜ, the Hellenic Federation of Friends of Museums
- 14:00-15:00 Light lunch in the premises
- 15:00-17:30 Academic session: WFFM members achievements in 2025
- 19:00 Reception and cultural entertainment
Friday, April 24
Council meetings, Royal Olympic Hotel rooms
- 09:30-12:30 Council and Young Council meeting: Following the colloquium, how could Friends of Museums respond to the new challenges museums are facing? Then separate Council and Young Council sessions
Other members and accompanying people
- 09:30 Museum of Modern Greek Culture (MNEP) visit followed by the Herakleidon Museum of Ancient Greek Technology visit
All participants
- 13:00 Acropolis hill and Parthenon visit
- 14:30-15:30 Free time for lunch
- 15:30-17:00 Guided tour of the Acropolis Museum
- 18:00-19:00 Athens Town Hall visit: guiding and refreshments
Saturday, April 25
Council’s meetings, Royal Olympic Hotel rooms
9:30-12:30 Council and Young Council sessions then Council and Young Council gather for conclusions
Other members and accompanying people
- 09:30-12:30 Archeological Museum visit, then move to the Byzantine and Christian Museum
All participants
- 13:00-14:00 Byzantine and Christian Museum visit
- 14:00-15:00 Free time for lunch
- 15:30 -17:00 Visit to the Greek Parliament, old Royal Palace of Greece, and its exhibitions
- 19:00: Benaki museum visit
- 20:00 Official dinner in the Benaki museum to celebrate WFFM’s 50th Anniversary and ΕΟΣΦΙΜ 40th anniversary
Sunday, April 26, all participants
● 09:30-12-00 General Assembly in the Athens Historical Museum, first location of the Greek Parliament
● 14:00-14:30 Farewell lunch in the gardens of the Numismatic Museum
WFFM will hold its 2026 General assembly in Athens from April 23 to 26.
Members registration is now open at:
https://forms.gle/iS9pPrrfR7Z6QtzX9
We’ll start on Thursday 23 at the War Museum with a colloquium organized by the Hellenic Federation of Friends of Museums, ΕΟΣΦΙΜ, on the challenges the museums are facing today with the participation of representatives from Greek and international museum institutions. We will continue in the afternoon with our usual Academic session, which will allow each country to discuss the actions carried out by its Friends of Museums over the past year. A welcome cocktail will conclude this first day.
On Friday and Saturday mornings, the Council and the Young Council will prepare the groundwork for the future while the other WFFM members and accompanying people will visit iconic places in Athens.
We will meet up in the afternoons to visit he city’s outstanding museums such as the Acropolis Museum, the Benaki Museum, and the Museum of Modern Greek Culture.
On Saturday evening, we’ll celebrate the 50th anniversary of WFFM and the 40th anniversary of ΕΟΣΦΙΜ.
Then, we’ll hold the WFFM General Assembly on Sunday morning at the Historical Museum of Athens in the place where the Greek Parliament used to sit, before meeting up for a farewell lunch in the gardens of the Numismatic Museum, weather permitting.
Provisional Program:
Thursday, April 23, all participants
War Museum Amphitheater
- 09:00-09:30 Welcome and WFFM participants registration
- 10:00-14:00 Colloquium “Friends and Museums: Challenges and perspectives in an ever-changing world” organized by ΕΟΣΦΙΜ, the Hellenic Federation of Friends of Museums
- 14:00-15:00 Light lunch in the premises
- 15:00-17:30 Academic session: WFFM members achievements in 2025
- 19:00 Reception and cultural entertainment
Friday, April 24
Council meetings, Royal Olympic Hotel rooms
- 09:30-12:30 Council and Young Council meeting: Following the colloquium, how could Friends of Museums respond to the new challenges museums are facing? Then separate Council and Young Council sessions
Other members and accompanying people
- 09:30 Museum of Modern Greek Culture (MNEP) visit followed by the Herakleidon Museum of Ancient Greek Technology visit
All participants
- 13:00 Acropolis hill and Parthenon visit
- 14:30-15:30 Free time for lunch
- 15:30-17:00 Guided tour of the Acropolis Museum
- 18:00-19:00 Athens Town Hall visit: guiding and refreshments
Saturday, April 25
Council’s meetings, Royal Olympic Hotel rooms
9:30-12:30 Council and Young Council sessions then Council and Young Council gather for conclusions
Other members and accompanying people
- 09:30-12:30 Archeological Museum visit, then move to the Byzantine and Christian Museum
All participants
- 13:00-14:00 Byzantine and Christian Museum visit
- 14:00-15:00 Free time for lunch
- 15:30 -17:00 Visit to the Greek Parliament, old Royal Palace of Greece, and its exhibitions
- 19:00: Benaki museum visit
- 20:00 Official dinner in the Benaki museum to celebrate WFFM’s 50th Anniversary and ΕΟΣΦΙΜ 40th anniversary
Sunday, April 26, all participants
● 09:30-12-00 General Assembly in the Athens Historical Museum, first location of the Greek Parliament
● 14:00-14:30 Farewell lunch in the gardens of the Numismatic Museum
European Day 2025
The third edition of the European Day of Friends of Museums will take place this year on October 12th to celebrate the community of a million enthusiasts across Europe, under the theme “Your museums, our passion!”
150 associations of 10 countries participated in 2024. We hope more this year to showcase to the public in their museum the actions they carry out throughout the year to share their passion and contribution to their museums’ influence.
Council and General Assembly Meeting of the WFFM Naples, Pompeii and Caserta from 15 to 18 May 2025
WFFM federations and associations will meet in Naples – Caserta for four days to exchange information and to visit the attractions in Naples and Caserta.
The preliminary program and registration form are available below:
WFFM Letter: Notre-Dame de Paris, December 28th 2024
Our letter to all the workers and donators who contributed to the renovation of Notre-Dame de Paris.
The Young Council: a new international impetus for Young Friends
Created in October 2024 by the World Federation of Friends of Museums (WFFM), the Young Council is a group of Young Friends leaders from different national federations. Each member country of the World Federation can designate one or two delegates to represent young people involved in museum and community life.
The main objective of the Young Council is to promote international exchanges between Young Friends sections and to give impetus to a common dynamic on a global scale. It aims to structure and strengthen the commitment of young people within Friends of museums associations, by offering them a framework for exchange and cooperation.
The delegates of the Young Council also provide a direct link with the Executive Committee of the World Federation, ensuring that youth-led initiatives are integrated into a global vision. In this way, they participate in strategic thinking and actively contribute to the development of the Young Friends movement internationally.
A key moment for the Young Council is the preparation of the General Assembly of the World Federation, which will be held in Naples in May 2025. This year, the focus will be on ‘How to create and maintain links between Young Friends’.
The challenge is to identify good practice and strengthen synergies between the different sections around the world.
In addition to this event, the Young Council is in line with the strategic priorities of the World Federation, by developing collective projects and supporting local initiatives that contribute to the vitality and structuring of the Young Friends network.
With this initiative, the World Federation of Friends of Museums asserts its desire to support young people in their commitment to culture and heritage, by offering them a framework conducive to exchange, collaboration and innovation.
Young Friends Ottawa Canadian Report: August 2024
It was a Franco-Canadian meeting that had been imagined 3 months earlier, as part of the WFFM Congress in Luxembourg: our Young Friends coordinator travelled to Ottawa on her own initiative to meet the CFFM Young Friends delegates in real life once again on Tuesday August 6th, 2024 :
Robin Treleaven (27 y.o) is a professional contemporary dancer, performer, teacher and choreographer. As coordinator of Ottawa Young Friends, she affirms her ambition to “put on events that showcase everyday people“.
Nikita Koziel Ly (24 y.o) has been co-coordinator of Ottawa Young Friends alongside Robin since November 2023. A PHD student in neuroscience, she would like to organize events that bring people into the museum and participate with the space in an active way (for example she was inspired by a scavenger hunt at the National Art center and would like to organize something similar).
Megan Batty, choir director of 25 singers, with whom she will be organizing a concert at the Chapelle Bon Secours in Montreal on December 7, joined the team of a foundation specializing in philanthropy in February 2024, and is the coordinator of Montreal’s Young Friends. In this capacity, she joined WFFM’s international committee of Young Friends delegates to represent Canada from October 2023, and expresses her desire to connect Canadian Young Friends with the WFFM community.
The meeting was an opportunity to welcome Mathilde Mouchon (24 y.o), a French Young Friend from Le Puy-en-Velay, who by chance was on holiday in Canada at the time. A newcomer to the Young Friends network, Mathilde’s ambition is to create a Young Friends section at the Crozatier museum in the Auvergne Rhone Alpes region of France, with the support of the president of her association and the FFSAM. Before resuming her studies in September (Sciences Po), she is fulfilling a dream with a cultural trip to Canada lasting several weeks, which will enable her to visit the main museums in Montreal and Ottawa.
During a tour of the temporary exhibitions at the Ottawa Art Gallery, where Robin will be taking to the stage for a dance and theater show titled subdivision from October 2nd to 4th, 2024, Megan gave a brief introduction to the landscapes paintings of the Group of Seven, Canada’s leading artists of the modern era, some of whose paintings depict European landscapes.
The delegates then followed Robin‘s guided tour of Ottawa’s city center: Kwakiutl Totem in Confederation Park, War Memorial, Lord Stanley’s Gift Monument, National Arts Centre, Parliament of Canada, Château Laurier, the Ottawa locks and the National Gallery building. Enriched by a wealth of anecdotes and a bird’s eye view of downtown Ottawa, Naïma, Nikita, Megan, Robin and Mathilde then sat down at an Italian restaurant in the ByWard Market to talk about their projects in their respective cities and their upcoming initiatives as part of the WFFM network.
Encouraged by Nikita, Megan, Robin and Mathilde’s enthusiastic recommendations to visit the National Gallery of Canada, Naïma went back to visit this amazing art gallery just a few hours before her return to France: impressed by Louise Bourgeois’s immense spider sculpture “Mother”, in front of the building, she was able to marvel and reflect in turn as she discovered the “Radical Stitch” exhibition, which highlights the ancestral knowledge and political-cultural perspectives of Canadian first nations people as expressed through customary beading techniques.
Instagram Young Friends CFFM : https://www.instagram.com/canadian_yfc_cja/
Friends of musée Crozatier : https://amismuséecrozatier.fr/