Pupils from Serbia, Turkey and Elassona in Corfu with the Erasmus+ programme

The Mayor of Central Corfu and Diapontia Islands, Stefanos Poulimenos, welcomed pupils and educational delegations participating in the Erasmus+ programme at a special event held on Friday 9 October.

The KA210-SCH European pupil mobility project, entitled “In the Footsteps of Our Ancestors” and focusing on the First World War, was successfully completed on the island. The 1st Junior High School of Elassona hosted and coordinated the project, welcoming pupils and teachers from Serbia and Turkey from 4 to 10 October. Six pupils from the school took part on behalf of Greece, under the coordination of teacher Varvara Antoniadou and accompanied by teacher Ekaterini Koniari.

The Mayor presented the pupils with certificates of participation in recognition of their involvement, in the presence of Zeliko Popovic, President of the Greek-Serbian Friendship Association. The meeting concluded with an exchange of commemorative gifts and a constructive discussion about future joint initiatives.

Participants had the opportunity to take part in specialised educational programmes and workshops. To accommodate these activities and the main events, the Municipality made the historic Ionian Parliament Hall available. Visits were also organised to the Serbian Museum and the Mausoleum on the island of Vidos, both sites of great historical significance.

The choice of Corfu as the meeting place highlighted the fundamental European values of peace, solidarity and cooperation. Through the joint study of events from the First World War, pupils from Greece, Serbia and Turkey fostered mutual respect, exchanged cultural experiences and demonstrated in practice that education is the strongest bridge towards reconciliation and peaceful coexistence among peoples.