In commemoration of Holocaust Remembrance Day, the English Language Department at the East Campus organized a moving and educational event dedicated to one of the most tragic chapters of modern history.
We had the honor of hosting three distinguished speakers who shared invaluable knowledge, memories, and personal experiences that must never be forgotten: Ms. Emmy Mordo Mekio – Decorator, graduate of Italian Philology, member of the Community Council and Assembly of the Jewish Community of Athens, as well as a member of the Association of Descendants, Ms. Lina Sustiél Herrera – Educator, French teacher, and instructor of Jewish History at the Lauder Elementary School of the Jewish Community of Athens and Ms. Bella Aaron – Educator, Professor of Political and Social Sciences, and President of the Association of Second-Generation Holocaust Victims.
The three speakers engaged with middle school students (A’ and B’ Gymnasium), sharing historical facts and survivor testimonies about the Holocaust, emphasizing the importance of preserving historical memory and truth.With a strong sense of responsibility and deep respect for history, our students worked with dedication, proving that the younger generation does not forget. Instead, they embrace historical truth and pass it on in a meaningful way.

At the Agia Paraskevi campus, the English Language Department organized a series of events to honor Holocaust Remembrance Day, focusing on the theme "Children in the Holocaust." The program was divided into four subtopics: Children in Concentration Camps, Hidden Children, The Righteous Among the Nations, and Second-Generation Children of Holocaust Survivors.
C’ Gymnasium students attended a theatrical performance paying tribute to the innocent victims of the Holocaust, followed by a speech by Ms. Beatrice Saia-Magrizou, author and daughter of Auschwitz survivor Joseph Saia. She emphasized the importance of memory and our collective responsibility to remember the past in order to build a more secure future.
A’ Lyceum students had the honor of meeting Lola Angel, a Bergen-Belsen survivor and a 1955 graduate of our school. She shared her life story, describing her experiences in Thessaloniki, her journey to the concentration camps, and her return to Greece. B’ Lyceum students met the renowned writer and poet Iossif Ventura, who shared his experiences as a hidden child during the war. In a live interview on stage, he encouraged students to pursue their dreams and view life's challenges as learning opportunities. C’ Lyceum students attended an event with Andreas and Haris Morikis, grandsons of Charalambos and Chrysanthi Morikis, who saved Jewish prisoner Sam Nachmia from the Karya concentration camp in Fthiotida. The speakers passed on the "baton of life" to our students, emphasizing that "logic is useful when it protects emotion," reminding them that in today’s technological era, it is our emotions that must be safeguarded.

After the events, our students had the opportunity to express their own interpretations and thoughts through artistic creations, which were displayed in the library.
From Friday, January 24, to Friday, January 31, the Children in the Holocaust exhibition from Yad Vashem was hosted in the theater lobby. Additionally, the school library was transformed into a Holocaust Information Center, featuring the latest and most updated publications on World War II.
It is crucial to remember, discuss, and teach about the Holocaust—not only to better understand the past but also to raise awareness among future generations about modern forms of antisemitism, xenophobia, prejudice, and hatred.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to making this important day possible.