The Melina Project, Greece
The MELINA Project was designed as an experimental project of the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs and the Ministry of Culture of Greece. The project began in 1995-96, in primary schools, with the aim of embracing all levels and disciplines of the educational system. From 1995 until 2001, the project was set up in 92 primary schools throughout Greece, and 2 primary schools in Cyprus. Since 2001, the MELINA Project is being implemented in all primary schools of Chania in Crete, in partnership with the local educational and cultural institutions, along with the local municipality and prefecture.
The objective of the project is to elevate the cultural dimension in education, and to instil every day school life with the indissoluble power of art and culture. The main actions of the MELINA Project are: training seminars for the primary school teachers; the production of educational material; visiting places of cultural significance; and artists residencies.
Through training seminars the MELINA Project focuses on developing teachers’ positive attitudes towards art and culture, so that they can recognize their educational value and role. The production of educational material on music, visual arts, literature and science as well as educational material for visits in places of cultural significance is in collaboration with the Educational Departments of Museums and the Ministry of Culture. The aim of the artist’s visits in schools is to help children get a ‘glimpse’ of the deeper essence of artistic expression.
The MELINA project seeks to “emphasis culture through education”, and thereby to encourage and facilitate communication, empathy and understanding. Nikos Paizis, Co-ordinator of the Central Co-ordinating Committee, believes that “an urgent call is posed for an education that will be based on communication, on a sense of social awareness and solidarity, and on human values.”
The MELINA Project, Athens, Greece Tel: +30 (0) 210 253 0419 e-mail: prmelina@gsae.edu.gr