Fireworks and special illumination effects light up the Parthenon temple on the Acropolis hill in Athens as the city welcomes the new millennium. (AFP)

ATHENS, Greece -- Giant columns of light shot skyward from the Acropolis and bathed the 2,500-year-old Parthenon in a bluish glow as Greece welcomed the millennium Saturday with celebrations from the ancient citadel overlooking Athens.

At the stroke of midnight, a 15-minute fireworks display began over the Acropolis.

On the streets, tens of thousands of revelers joined a giant party around central Athens that included folk dance troupes, choir groups singing old Greek hymns and "Zorba the Greek" composer Mikis Theodorakis directing a special millennium performance.

Thousands of people who lost their homes in a deadly earthquake north of Athens on Sept. 7 were the honored guests at one millennium bash and were treated to a free meal.

Department stores were busy on the last day of the year as most Greeks exchange gifts at New Year's. As the celebrations began to die down, card tables were set up in households across the country in keeping with tradition of gambling for luck in the New Year.

In his New Year's address, Premier Costas Simitis said he hoped relations between rivals Greece and Turkey would continue to improve in 2000. "The road for peace and cooperation is open," Simitis said.

There were no early reports of Y2K-related computer problems. But banks remained closed Friday as a precaution, while Athens' subway closed half an hour before midnight.

A government spokesman, Nikos Athanasakis, said electric problems were reported in three Athens districts due to heavy household demand for power.

Electricity to power 5,000 search lights at the Acropolis and the nearby concerts was supplied by generators to avoid overloading the national grid.