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Showing posts from December, 2024

Athens: discovering the root of democracy

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The second day in Athens started with a visit to the Ground Zero of democracy. As part of the Erasmus+ K220 project “The New Values of Democracy in Today’s Europe,” students and teachers from Poland, Croatia, Madeira, Spain, and Greece gathered in Akropolis Metro Station to explore the timeless principles of democracy and their relevance in our modern society. The day's activities prepared by the Greek team provided an enriching blend of history, critical thinking, and cultural discovery. The day began with a short walk through the historic site of Pnyx, the real cradle of democracy. Standing where ancient Athenians once debated and voted on decisions that shaped their society, the students felt the weight of history and the enduring importance of democratic values. Following this inspiring visit, the students were divided into international groups to debate a pressing contemporary issue: the acceptance of immigration within their own communities. Guided by the spirit of dialogue ...

It’s Athens’ Turn

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Excitement, eagerness to reunite, to meet a host family, to dive into the daily life of another country, another culture, all through a common language, the English, the koiné that connects the global economy. We are in a country that revolutionized Mediterranean life by creating the first phonetic alphabet. Greek was the first shared language ( koiné ) that united the peoples of the sea bathing Southern Europe (also for commercial reasons). Its cultural legacy, however, is indisputable and outstanding. This is how all the partners of the Erasmus+ K220 project "The New Values of Democracy in Today’s Europe" landed in Athens, the capital of Greece. Teachers and students from Romania, Poland, Croatia, Portugal, and Spain packed their suitcases with love, not hate, just like Antigone’s words in Sophocles’ play. The opening ceremony was held at the Cultural Center of the City of Petroupolis Cat Garden. The headmaster of the host school, Mr. George Dimitriadis, delivered a welco...