From the Europe of the Past to the Europe of the Future

For another consecutive year, Athens College Junior High School participated in the 10th European Student Conference, held in Vienna. On Saturday, November 29, 2025, thirteen Junior High School Grade 3 students delivered a presentation titled "Portraits of Women in Interwar Austria."

The student team conducted research on the status of women in both upper and lower social classes in interwar Austria; the portrayal of women in Robert Musil's Three Women; prominent female figures in painting and architecture (Liane Zimbler, Fanny Harlfinger, Broncia Koller, Helene Funke); and the public image of women as depicted in posters of the period.

Student Giorgos Tsakonas represented the School at the roundtable discussion on the importance of cooperation, solidarity, and empathy as core values for building a just, peaceful, and collaborative society.

Beyond their participation in the conference, the students enjoyed guided tours of the Museum of Art History, the Belvedere Museum, and the Albertina Museum. They also explored Vienna's historic city center, including City Hall, St. Stephen's Cathedral, and the Christmas market, and had many opportunities to sample Austrian cuisine.

Additionally, they attended the augmented reality program "Time Travel: Sisi's Amazing Journey."

The visit concluded with a day trip to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia.

The student delegation included: Alexia Alexopoulou, Melina Apostolakou, Katia Bistaraki, Dionysis Dendrinos, Stefanos Dialetis, Irene Haskou, Thanasis Mayrogiannis, Orestis Skiathitis, Dionysis Smyrnis, Filippa Sofaki, Giorgos Tsakonas, Chrysa Tsitsaki, Antonis Zabikos

Accompanying teachers: Natasa Merkouri, Alexia Zotou