Istanbul: Consecration at Zografieo Lyceum (video – photos)

With a consecration and a colorful celebration for the 129th anniversary of its foundation, the Zografieo Lyceum, one of the few remaining Greek educational institutions operating in Istanbul, started the new school year.

Before the September riots of 1955 and before the deportations (1964) the school had a real boom – the students alone were over 650. Today the strength of the school is no more than 54 students and 18 teachers.

The school is located in the center of the city, a short distance from Pera. Students and teachers came out to Istikbal with balloons in their hands which they then released with applause.

The history of the Painting School dates back to the 19th century, when there were needs for educational accommodation since the Zappeio Girls’ School of Constantinople alone could not meet these needs. Also, the school that operated at the Crossroads of the Virgin Mary had over 800 students and so it was decided to make a fundraiser to build a new and modern educational institution. So many were those who offered for this project, the leading one being Christakis Zografos, living in Paris, who had given over 10,000 gold pounds of the time.

In 1890 the general assembly of the community decided to name the school Zografio as a sign of honor. In the architectural competition, the proposal of the architect Pericles Fotiadis prevailed and thus the school was built exactly as it is today. In 1899 Zografieo produced its first graduates.

Before the September riots of 1955 and before the deportations (1964) the school had a real boom, the students in this school alone were over 650. Today the strength of the school is no more than 54 students and 18 teachers

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