39th Gymnasium of Athens transforms with student-led murals

The 39th Gymnasium of Athens in Kypseli has undergone a significant transformation through a three-year art project. The initiative began after a student defaced a wall, prompting French teacher Rea Dazy to propose using murals to make the school environment more attractive.

With the support of principal Giannis Kelepouri and through a Ministry of Education-approved extracurricular program, approximately 80 students participated in creating 40 murals. The project involved over 100 hours of preparation by Dazy, who drew inspiration from Isaac Asimov’s ‘The Chronicle of the World’ to create layouts featuring over 800 images.

The artwork covers a historical timeline from prehistory and ancient Egypt to the Renaissance and space exploration. These murals are located throughout the school, including hallways and classrooms. Despite initial skepticism regarding potential vandalism, the works have remained intact due to the respect shown by the student body.