Not Even the Greek Prime Minister Can Get into the National Gallery of Art During the Government Shutdown

This is really making our country look bad.

Image via Getty Images/ Chip Somodevilla

It looks like when the federal government shuts down, everyone is affected, no matter how important they are. Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras was supposed to attend a party for the opening of the "Heaven and Earth: Art of Byzantium from Greek Collections" exhibition of the National Gallery of Arts but because the federal government is currently "out of order," museums and agencies in Washington D.C. are too. The exhibition was created in collaboration with the Benaki Museum of Athens so Prime Minister Samaras was looking forward to seeing it during his visit. 

But the closing of the National Gallery of Arts doesn't only affect prime ministers. A reported 12,000 people visit the Gallery every day, including school groups from across the country who now have to cancel their trips. According to the Washington Post, private institutions are offering free admission for those turned away from the public ones.

We hope this stupid thing ends soon.

RELATED: Due to the Government Shutdown, Federally Funded Museums Close Doors to Visitors 
RELATED: This Guide to Discounted Eating and Drinking in D.C. Might Ease Your Government Shutdown Pains

[via WashingtonPost

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