In 2015, the Bank offered to children from Hatzikyriakio Child Care Foundation in Athens and SOS Children’s Village in Plagiari, Thessaloniki, the opportunity to attend two Greek Shadow Theatre performances: “Karaghiozis playing Detective and the Flying Gorilla” in Athens, and “The Triumph of Karaghiozis” in Thessaloniki.
In addition, the Bank organised two educational and cultural events for children, in Athens and Thessaloniki respectively.
In Athens, children from Lyreio Children’s Foundation, “Friends of the Child” Charity Association and Hatzikyriakio Child Care Institution, took part in the action “Discover the Unknown Greece – Protected Areas”, at the Goulandris Natural History Museum.
In Thessaloniki, children from the Association of Friends of Children with Rheumatic Diseases, "Melissa" Orphanage for Girls and SOS Children’s Village in Plagiari, Thessaloniki, saw Carmen Rouggeri’s play “A Tale with No Name”.
Volunteers from the Bank’s Personnel participated in the events.
In 2018, children from the SOS Children's Village in Vari, Attica, visited the Museum of Cycladic Art in Athens. The young visitors were given a tour of the Exhibition “MONEY. Tangible symbols in Ancient Greece”, jointly organised by the Museum of Cycladic Art and the Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection. They admired exceptional samples of ancient coins and were able to observe the various symbols engraved on the surface of the exhibits. The exhibition showcased 85 coins from the Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection, together with 160 objects (clay vases, terracotta figurines, marble and bronze statuettes, reliefs, gold jewellery, measuring vessels) from 32 Archaeological Museums and Collections in Greece, Italy, France and the United Kingdom.
Children from the SOS Children’s Village in Plagiari, Thessaloniki, visited the Thessaloniki Museum of Cinema and participated in the Museum’s educational activities, which are sponsored by the Bank. The still and moving images, the sounds and the different cinema tools enabled young visitors to explore the history of motion pictures and to get acquainted with the magic of Greek cinema, from the very first, “awkward” efforts of the early 20th century to the films currently screened in cinemas.
During the summer, a Shadow Puppet Theatre performance was organised for children from the Lyreio Children’s Foundation. After the performance, gifts were given to the children.
In October, children from the SOS Children's Village in Vari, Attica, visited the Goulandris Natural History Museum and the interactive-digital exhibition “Earthquake at the Museum”.
The exhibition is an original, educational initiative that enables visitors to better understand this natural phenomenon through interactive applications and innovative technology, as well as learn how to protect themselves in case of an earthquake.
During the holiday season, more than 100 children living in seven Children's Homes and Foundations watched plays and participated in Christmas activities in Athens and Thessaloniki as part of the Programme,for the fourth consecutive year.
In Athens, children from The Smile of the Child, the Lyreio Children’s Foundation and the “Friends of the Child” association watched the play “PINOCCHIO” at the Neos Kosmos Theatre.
In Thessaloniki, children from the Greek Children’s Village in Filyro, the “Melissa” Orphanage for Girls, the SOS Children’s Village in Plagiari and The Smile of the Child, participated in the “Christmas is in the Air” festive activities that took place at the American Farm School.
On the occasion of the activities, volunteers from the Bank’s Personnel gave the children Christmas gifts.
In 2019, in the context of the Progamme, children from the “Association of Friends and Children with Chronic Rheumatic Diseases” participated in the educational programmes of the Thessaloniki Cinema Museum.
During the summer period, the Bank supported the action “HD – The Heroes of Digea”, which took place in Heraklion, Crete. About 200 children from SOS Children’s Village, the Child Protection Centre of Heraklion, the Home for Male Minors of Heraklion, the Child Protection Annex of Lasithi, Zoodochos Pigi and the “Yellow Mission” Group of Volunteers, watched two films, engaged in creative activities, played games, acted as the protagonists in a video which was then screened during the event, and received gifts for their participation.
In addition, a shadow theatre performance was given at ELEPAP – Rehabilitation for the Disabled. The children were amused by watching the performance in the company of Volunteers from the Bank’s Personnel, whose presence helped achieve the purpose of the event.
For the fifth consecutive year, more than 100 children living in Children’s Homes and Foundations participated in Christmas events in Athens and Thessaloniki through the Program “Together with the Children at the Museum and Theatre”.
In Athens, 45 children, aged 6 to 12, from the Children Support Center of Elefsis “Kentro Agapis Elefsinas”, participated in a Christmas music-theatre and visual experiential handicraft workshop on the Nutcracker, at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center. The children participated in the narration of the fairy tale "Nutcracker" and then created Christmas ornaments, which they took with them.
In Thessaloniki, 55 children, aged 12 to 17, from the Greek Children’s Village in Filyro, the "Melissa" Orphanage for Girls, the SOS Children's Village in Plagiari and The Child's Smile participated in a Christmas party at the American Farm School. In special areas - workshops, an original Christmas workshop was held on a real tile, which they later took with them. A Christmas party followed, where the children sang, chose the music in collaboration with the DJ, and presented their own dancing figures.
Volunteers from the Bank Staff helped organize the events and distributed Christmas presents to the children.
2020
In the context of the program, in December 2020, children from the Children Support Center of Elefsis “Kentro Agapis Elefsinas”, the "Melissa" Orphanage for Girls, the SOS Children's Villages (Vari, Thrace, Crete, Plagiari and SOS Babies Home) and the Association of Parents, Guardians and Friends of Children with Developmental Disabilities of Samos "Melissa" participated in a digital Christmas party. Through an online platform, an original Christmas workshop was held, where the children created their own improvised musical instruments and sang Christmas carols, thus creating their own orchestra.
