The Greek Lyceum of Munich “Konstantinos Carathéodory” has a long and proud history. For decades, it has been a stable point of reference for Greeks in Bavaria, keeping the language and culture alive despite the distance from the homeland. This tradition, combined with its name—the name of the eminent mathematician Konstantinos Carathéodory, who taught and died in Munich—forms our foundation, the heritage we have inherited and are duty-bound to preserve.
Our school was born out of the need of the first generation of migrants, those people who left their homeland in search of a better future. For those parents, our school was not a luxury; it was the guarantee that their children would not lose their connection to their roots and the Greek language.
The educational process in a foreign environment requires constant adaptation, flexibility, and dedication from both the teaching staff and the students and their parents. The school is called upon to function as a small “cell” of Greece, keeping the flame of Hellenism alive. Its mission is not only to provide its students with the necessary qualifications for admission to universities (Greek or German), but also to instill values, history, and culture, shaping citizens with a dual identity, capable of serving as a bridge between the two countries. Undoubtedly, this constitutes a valuable form of soft diplomacy.
Moreover, the integration of European programs such as Erasmus+ and participation in nationwide student conferences show that our Lyceum is not isolated. On the contrary, it acts as an ambassador of the Greek spirit, promoting our country and its achievements within the broader European context.
At a time when population mobility is high, the existence and support of such schools are of vital importance. The Greek Lyceum of Munich “Konstantinos Carathéodory” is not simply a school; it is a living organism that maintains strong ties with the motherland and shapes the next generation of the Greek diaspora. Strengthening and promoting its work is a responsibility shared by all of us.
As Odysseas Elytis so beautifully put it, “They gave me the Greek language; my humble home on Homer’s shores.” This school is our own “home” here in Munich. It is the place where we ensure that our children will keep alive this invaluable heritage—the language that connects us with millennia of history, culture, and light.
Of course, we are well aware that the power of language and speech is not confined to dialogue among speakers of the same language; it is tested far more in communication and mutual understanding between different cultures, ways of thinking, and ways of life. Guided by this desire for expression, the students of our school—one of the largest Greek schools abroad in Europe—create and publish their own school newspaper in Munich, “Athina tou Isar” (Athens of the Isar).
We warmly thank To Vima for the trust it has shown in our students and for its valuable support and guidance.
Mr. Stavros Eleftheriadis is Principal and Ms. Maria Grafiafelli is Vice Principal of the Greek Lyceum of Munich.
