The City of Athens participates in "Earth Hour 2009"

Bearing the slogan "Switch off the light, see the difference", the City of Athens is inviting all citizens to take part in the global "Earth Hour" initiative by switching their lights off for an hour on March 28, starting at 20:30.

"Earth Hour" is a major awareness-raising effort concerning climate change and energy efficiency, which will see people throughout the world joining forces for the future of the planet via one simple gesture, namely by switching off their lights for one hour.

The City of Athens is playing a leading part in the international effort and, on the evening of March 28, will switch off lights for one hour at the following locations:

- Lycabettus Hill

- City Hall on Kotzia Square

- City of Athens administrative building on Liossion St

- All municipal buildings (Youth and Sport Organisation gyms, Cultural Centres, the seven City District offices, Friendship Clubs etc)

- Technopolis smokestacks

At the same time, the City of Athens has informed all organizations with which it has co-signed a Memorandum of Cooperation for the Replacement of the Plastic Bag, all schools in the municipality, the Ministry of Education's Athens 1st Department Primary Education and Secondary Education Environmental Education Offices, major hotels and businesses, and volunteer organisations so they can take part in "Earth Hour".

As part of its effort to inform and raise the awareness of citizens and city visitors, the City of Athens has posted the global initiative's message on MATRIX electronic message boards throughout Athens.

Within the framework of "Earth Hour" events, the City of Athens, SKAI television and radio and WWF have co-organised a concert that will take place on Pnyx Hill on March 28, at 20:00. Mario Frangoulis will perform together with the City of Athens Symphony Orchestra and the City of Athens Music Ensembles Mixed Choir, under the direction of maestro Loukas Karytinos.

Greece occupies first place globally in terms of participation in "Earth Hour", followed by Canada and Australia, where the initiative began.