GREECE

“Let's play it again – Traditional games and activities as a way to integrate and activate young people”
 

The 1st General Lyceum of Ierapetra hosted a vibrant and meaningful Erasmus+ KA220 mobility, bringing together students and teachers from Poland, Cyprus, Malta, Lithuania, North Macedonia and Italy. The programme used traditional games as a powerful educational tool to promote inclusion, creativity, cultural understanding and youth activation across Europe.

Participants were welcomed with an opening ceremony that introduced them to the school community, Greek culture, and the local educational environment. Guided tours, interactive presentations, cultural exchanges and ice-breaking games created a warm atmosphere that encouraged cooperation from the very first moment. A highlight of the opening day was the lively performance of Cretan dances, which allowed all guests to experience local tradition in an authentic and joyful way.

Throughout the week, students explored a wide variety of traditional Greek games such as hopscotch, marbles, “ampáritsa”, “tsourli”, “kolokythia” and many more. Engaging in these activities helped them rediscover teamwork, spontaneous expression, and the joy of shared play. Participants also attended a local theatre performance, gaining insight into Greek cultural creativity and intergenerational storytelling.

Intergenerational learning played a central role, as primary school pupils from Ierapetra joined the activities, creating a warm, collaborative environment between younger and older students. Cultural visits in the wider region enriched the programme further: students explored the mountain village of Anatoli, its cultural archive, and the seaside village of Myrtos, immersing themselves in the area’s history and identity.

The mobility also showcased Ierapetra’s archaeological heritage through guided visits to the Archaeological Museum and the Venetian Fortress of Kales. A unique experience was the participation in a live radio broadcast, where representatives from each country discussed the importance of Erasmus+, cultural cooperation and youth empowerment.

Creative workshops allowed students to express themselves through storytelling, kite making, and clay construction inspired by ancient Greek puzzles. These hands-on activities fostered imagination, problem-solving skills and artistic expression.

An important part of the programme was the cultural excursion to Knossos and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, where participants explored the Minoan civilisation and its global significance. Time spent in the city centre offered opportunities for informal cultural exchange and deepening friendships.

The mobility concluded with reflection sessions in which participants shared their experiences, evaluated the activities and expressed what they gained from the week. The closing ceremony highlighted the achievements of the participants and celebrated the intercultural bonds formed during the programme.

This Erasmus+ mobility significantly strengthened the values of cooperation, solidarity, cultural understanding and European identity. Students and teachers returned home enriched with knowledge, friendships and new perspectives—proof that education can connect people, inspire creativity and bring cultures together through play, heritage and meaningful human interaction.