2nd Gerakas Senior High School | Erasmus+

KA2 - EUCHI European Cultural Heritage and Identity

From Monday 22 November to Friday 26 November 2021 took place
the second mobility in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain under the program ERASMUS + EUCHI (European Culture, Heritage & Identity). Greek, Italian, Romanian and Spanish students and teachers discover European Culture, their Heritage & Identity.

It had been almost two years since his visit to Romania and after the forced suspension European programs due to the pandemic, the new year has started dynamically for the European Erasmus programs of school. In the context of the implementation of the program ERASMUS + EUCHI European Cultural Heritage and Identity , two teachers, the principal Mrs. Georgaki and the teacher Mr. Karapeti and a group of 6 students visited Jerez in Andalusia in southern Spain .

The Greek delegation visited the School IES FERNANDO SAVATER , toured its premises, was informed about the Spanish education system and met with adolescent students from Spain, Italy and Romania. During the mobility we had the opportunity to We go to Cadiz, an ancient colony of the Phoenicians, also known from Greek mythology since there are placed the Gadiridai Gates, the end of the world. The city gained great importance after the great explorations and the opening of navigation in the Atlantic. We visited ruins of the ancient Roman city of Baelo Claudia and Tarifa, in the Straits of Gibraltar, the southernmost tip of continental Europe, just 14 km off the north coast of Africa. THE Seville, capital of Andalusia unveiled a rich historical mosaic with the palace Alcazar, from the time of the Arabs, with one of the largest cathedrals in Europe, the Archives of India, where the archives of overseas travel and goods are kept from the time of Columbus, the University and Plaza de Espana. We tasted Spanish cuisine, danced flamenco and we were introduced to the secrets of the art of wine production.

This program, as well as ERASMUS + REACH to Share: "Researching European And Cultural Heritage to Share, main purpose is to acquaint students with different views of European culture and European way of life. Through visits important monuments of world cultural heritage, museums and mainly through experiential approach to life in another european country our young people are aware of our common cultural roots with other European peoples, common values and way of life and are gradually building their European identity.

See typical highlights from the visit:

Day 1 - Departure

Day 2 - Jerez

Visit to the IES partner school Fernando Savater. Welcome by the Mayor of Jerez Mr. Juan Antonio Cabello to the town hall. Guided tour of the Fortress of Jerez (Alcazar) and around the city center with the cathedral, the church of San Miguel and the tower.

See an article in the local newspaper Diario de Jerez

3rd day Cadiz

Cadiz or "Gaderidai Pylai" according to Greek mythology, where Hercules built two pillars with the inscription: "nothing more than ultra" ("Non Plus Ultra") to mark the point where the Abyss began. A day rich in cultural inputs, strong feelings and enthusiasm. The bright sky and the wind from the Atlantic gave the feeling of travel back in time, in a place of 3,000 years of history: the "Earthly Gates", the El Puerto de Santa Maria, the Cathedral and its Crypt, Church of Santiago, Casa de la Chain, the Central fish market, beaches. A beautiful backdrop for building cultural collaborations between students and teachers.

4th day Tarifa

Tarifa, the southernmost point of mainland Europe in the Straits of Gibraltar. On our way we saw picturesque villages, salt mines, extensive wind farms, a natural park, the ruins of Baelo Claudia, a Roman city famous for its fishing and garum production, of the highest dune in Europe. The city of Tarifa, located between two seas, just 14 km off the African coast holds an important strategic position in Gibraltar. Due to the strong winds that prevail, blowing from the Atlantic and lavender from the Mediterranean, Bologna beach has become a meeting point for windsurfers and surfkiters.

Day 5 Seville

Seville, capital of Andalusia with 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites next to each other: the monumental Cathedral, built on the foundations of an ancient mosque, the Giralda- the former minaret that was modified in the Bell Tower with more than 24 bells, the Alcazar Palace, still used as their residence by the Spanish royal family and its magnificent Arabic-style gardens. Seville has so much to offer: the Indian Archives with historical records from the Columbus era, the old Fabrica Real de Tabacos, now transformed into a University, the Hotel Alfonso where all VIPs stay and the Plaza de Espaναa, the stunning Plateau Square with buildings designed for the Ibero-American exhibition in 1929 to celebrate the discovery of America by the Spanish Conquistadors. For those who remember it was the setting for so many movies, including Star Wars!