The blooming Greek community of Cairo, at the beginnings of the 19th century, was followed by the construction of many Greek schools, which were scattered all around the city and were attended by thousands of students. But the social rearrangements that took place during the 50's, when Egypt nationalized foreign companies, led to the beginning of the Greek community's decline and the decrease in the number of Greek students.
A hive of Hellenism
Today there are 72 students in the primary school and kindergarten of Achillopouleios School and 69 students in the high school of Ampeteios School. Both schools are housed in the building of the former Spetseropouleios Orphanage, which is located on Amped Street in the suburb of Ilioupoli. Spetseropouleios Orphanage was built in 1928 and it was donated by George and Dimitri Spetseropoulos, from Assea of Arcadia.
In the Greek school apart from the lessons that are being taught in all schools in Greece there were also classes teaching the Arabic language, history and geography of Egypt, which are taught by Egyptians. Many Egyptian children whose parents were immigrants in Greece attend this school. These children have obtained the Greek citizenship. They prefer the Greek school because they offer a stable continuation of education for their children.
The Greeks in Cairo actively take part in the school's life, which has a peculiar way of being open 24 hours a day, since it doesn't close when classes end. In the evenings, the Greeks gather at the school and the children play until it gets dark. The children are accompanied by their families who sit at the yard's benches and talk. When it gets dark they do not leave, as they continue under the schools spotlights. Later at night the Greeks eat at the cafeteria, which is on the ground floor of the school.The school doesn't close at night, since it has guest rooms for teachers, students and visitors.
The school's building is a sample of the great Greek architecture and many priceless relics and great works of art are kept in its aristocratic halls and classrooms. Among those there are paintings by Photis Kontoglou in the chapel of the Revenue of the Virgin. TEXT-PHOTOS: GEORGE ZAFEIROPOULOS
SOURCE: www.greecewithin.com
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