Athenian moviegoers, and especially graduates of the University of Athens, cannot fail to have at least one memory of Iris. For many years, the hall on the first floor of the University Club building, at the intersection of Academia and Hippocrates streets, has introduced generations of students and Athenians to cinema. It’s time to shine again. In particular, the Iris Hall, with an area of ​​370 square meters and a height of almost 12 meters, was built in 1927 and is the work of the architect Alexandros Nikoloudis, like the entire university club. An important part of the original study (about 25 plans) has been preserved and is located in the Documentation Center of Modern Greek Architecture of the Benaki Museum. It started as a cinema, becoming one of the first cinemas in Athens. Since the 1980s, its role has increased, especially when the Cultural Association of Students of the University of Athens was founded. Iris has made a special contribution to film education by organizing film screenings, workshops and events related to the seventh art. At the same time, theatrical performances were organized and presented within the framework of the Cultural Club of Students of the AUCP in Irida.

However, in recent years, the space has “aged” and its activity has weakened. “The historic Iris Hall shines once again at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, as after the persistent efforts of the Rectoral Administration, after many years, it has returned to its original appearance, with absolute respect for its architecture, but with modern equipment. . The historic hall can again host events,” says the rector of the institution, Thanos Dimopoulos, who during his tenure took care of the building fund of the University of Athens so that it could be used to the best advantage. .

According to the Foundation, the restoration included repair and maintenance of the interior walls, painting of the entire hall (plaza – balconies – ceiling), repair and maintenance of the floor on the upper balcony, repair and polishing of the mosaic on the floor of the square, repair and polishing of the large wooden podium of the stage and repair-restoration of seats in the hall. Electrical work was also carried out, such as repairing the hall and ceiling lighting, as well as perimeter lighting, replacing fixtures with the installation of LED lamps, replacing switches and panels. Finally, the toilets on the basement floor of the University Club have undergone the necessary repairs and restoration work so that the room is accessible from the Iris room and can be used by students, teaching and administrative staff.