French Ambassador in Greece Visits 6th General Lyceum of Volos to Honor European Holocaust Education Program - March 20 2026

The Ambassador’s high-profile visit took place within the framework of her two-day official trip to the historic city of Volos, highlighting the exemplary participation of 21 local high school students in a groundbreaking, pilot European educational program Neshama focused entirely on the history and legacy of the Holocaust.  This highly selective and prestigious academic initiative involves educational institutions from five different European countries. Greece marked its inaugural participation this school year, represented exclusively by the 6th GEL of Volos alongside the Saint Paul Franco-Hellenic School of Athens. Over the course of the two-year program, more than 250 European youths engaged in comprehensive historical analysis. The students participated in intensive monthly digital seminars, listened to moving live testimonies from Holocaust survivors, and collaborated deeply with peers across the continent to understand the dangers of racism and intolerance.

Reconstructing Identity and Preserving Memory A central pillar of the Greek team’s academic efforts was a specialized, in-depth research project that eventually led them to Paris. The students meticulously researched the historical reconstruction of identities belonging to Greek Jews. During the Axis Occupation of Greece, these individuals managed to evade deportation and survive because they were provided with forged identification cards by brave local citizens. By unearthing archives and piecing together personal survival accounts, the students gave voice to four real stories of human resilience.

The students’ educational journey took an extraordinary, unexpected turn during their travels. The Director of the 6th GEL of Volos, Evripidis Georgakopoulos, recounted how the academic delegation found themselves in Paris on January 27, which marks International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Due to a unique and rare set of circumstances, the Greek students were invited to participate in the official commemorative parade underneath the iconic Arc de Triomphe—an unforgettable and deeply symbolic moment for the young delegation.

Following their Parisian presentation, the academic group’s involvement was formally acknowledged back home as well, where Ambassador Auer personally welcomed the students and educators to an official reception held at the French Embassy in Athens.

Confronting History at Auschwitz The educational journey reached its emotional peak just days before the Ambassador’s visit, as the group returned from a field study at the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camps in Poland. Both students and accompanying educators described the experience of walking through the sites of the Nazi atrocities as deeply transformative and emotionally staggering, reinforcing the vital role that experiential learning plays in keeping historical memory alive. During the ceremony in Volos, Ambassador Auer addressed the school community, choosing to deliver her introductory remarks in Greek. She emphasized the profound historical depth of the Greek language and its enduring significance to contemporary European culture. Furthermore, she praised the pluralism of European languages as a core vehicle for safeguarding democratic values. To commemorate the visit, school Director Mr. Georgakopoulos presented the French Ambassador with an honorary plaque alongside a miniature replica of the mythical ship Argo, representing the rich maritime heritage of Volos. In return, Ambassador Auer gifted the school library two specialized publications detailing French history and culture. Media Coverage Notice: This significant educational event and the Ambassador’s interaction with the students were covered extensively on television by the national news broadcasting network, ERTNEWS.