In the yard of the Gymnasium of Karditsa, the

Headmaster along with a teacher and a class of

students during the stone years following
the German Occupation in Greece
Literature teacher of the 1940’s
The Headmaster of the Gymnasium of Karditsa
along with teachers heading to the grand-stand
to watch the parade, Karditsa 1950
• Parade of girls’
Gymnasium guided by
the team-leader,
Central Square of
Karditsa, 1952

• Parade of the 7th grade

of a six-form
Gymnasium of Karditsa,
Central Square of
Karditsa, 1953
Female students in school uniform in the 1950’s
A group of female students wearing
regular clothing, without the school
uniform, attending the 8th grade of
Gymnasium, 1953
Female students of the 7th grade of a six-
form Gymnasium of Karditsa during
gymnastics class (racing games),1952
Students wearing school caps
 “The Old Gymnasium”

During the 1950’s the educational

activities of the Old Gymnasium were
clearly taking place under a strictly
national and patriotic spirit. The students
were obliged to dress up in school
uniforms not only within school
premises, but also during gymnastics
activities and national parades.
Photo from gymnastics activities,
Private Kindergarten, 1963
Scouts Parade at the Central Square
of Karditsa, 1965
Other activities- Carnival, 1966
 Other gymnastics activities at the end of the school year
(1970,1972)

Over the last 15 years

gymnastics activities at the
end of the school year have
become obsolete.
Poems recitation
Poem recitation by a primary school pupil,
staged at the local cinema-theatre of
Karditsa, 1967
Female students of the 6th Gymnasium in school
uniform along with their literature teacher
outside the school building, summer 1974
 Students on excursions
organized for educational
and entertaining
purposes
 Students on excursions organized for
educational and entertaining purposes
 A student of Lyceum on an
educational excursion, 1977
Cultural activities in the 1960’s and 1970’s

The cultural activities continue to preserve

a national and patriotic spirit, especially
during the Greek military Junta of 1967-1974.
The students still dress up in uniforms up till
the late 1970’s. The cultural activities taking
place were great in number, which shows that
apart from education, a spirit of cultural
development was cultivated within school
premises as well. Excursions were mostly
organized by teachers for educational
purposes, without forgetting nevertheless the
students’ entertainment.
Parade of female students of the 3rd
Lyceum of Karditsa, 2005
 I went some years back in time. Many years back, when I was just a kid at my village. I
liked reading anything far different from what the school made me read. When going shopping I
chose that particular grocery where herrings were wrapped up in magazine paper. What a pity it
was when the magazine article sometimes ended on the next page left at the grocery!
Who would dare talk back then about music, painting, journalism or civilization! Nothing
else but for school subjects, which we learned almost by heart, some gymnastic activities and, if
we happened to come across a “progressive teacher”, some patriotic theatrical plays. We moved
around within the boundaries of a totalitarian educational system, involving appearance,
behaviour, the curriculum, that was all. We were thirsty for all the rest, but our throats were dry.
How blessed is today’s school! How grand is the education! How important is the freedom
to student activities! What happens, when the authorities lead the way without blinders,
limitations or self-interest?
Well done to the system, well done to the people in charge, well done to the children.
Civilization builds people. The power of initiative creates proper societies. Our country
lacks in leaders. The Greek slave is dead. The nerveless man should move aside. It is imperative.
The horizon is wide open, that of education. Somewhere high, high up the visionary student has
the choice of finding his idol on its throne.
Far from and beyond the curriculum, he finds both the time and guidance to become a
musician, a dancer, a painter, an actor, a journalist, a director… He is free to identify with those
people who represent the values of his life, free to become a value of his own, or even many
values.
In conclusion, I am not afraid to say that self-motivation is the mother of knowledge. It is
the essence of creation. It is a one-way road towards the adolescent’s integration in society.
A thousand well done to the people in charge, to the “teachers” and to the children that
walk on these trails, the worthwhile trails.
Giannis Kolliaros
A retired “teacher” believing in the integrated man.