Results of the competition for the Anthem of NATION
The National Olympic Academy, in the framework of the educational programs of the Olympic Education, organized a nationwide student competition for the «Anthem of the National Olympic Academy», in which students from primary schools, secondary schools and high schools all over the country participated.
The aim of the student competition, which ended on 2/5/2023, was to inspire students to express their thoughts, feelings and create their own anthem for the National Olympic Academy. Also, to sensitize them to the formation of attitudes, skills and values that emanate from the Olympic Games and the Olympic tradition. Finally, the lyrics had to follow the melody of the Anthem, which was composed by Mrs. Sophia Alexandrou.
More than 60 proposals/creations were submitted to ETHNOA, which were in an A4 envelope without the details of the recipients. The only indicative element was the pseudonym of the student or group of students, which corresponded to a smaller closed envelope (inside the A4) with the actual details of the author of the poem and his/her school.
The selection team of the three lyrics to be awarded the prize, met on 4/5/2023, and, after a long work, selected 9 proposals-poems for the next phase of the competition.
During this phase there were multiple readings of the verses and their melodic matching to the music of the hymn.
In the end, the Committee selected four of them for the final award.
After new readings-matching, the result was the following:
- 1ο prize: Experimental Music High School of Pallini
- 2ο prize: Special Primary School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Panorama
- 3ο prize: Single Special Vocational High School of Agrinio
We would like to thank all the members of the Committee for their contribution, their love and the zeal with which they worked.
The Commission consisted of the following:
- Ms Sophia Alexandrou, Composer
- Ms Artemis Ignatiou, Choreographer
- Ms. Anastasia Zanni, Soprano
- Ms Marianna Kaltsa, Songwriter, Composer, Lyricist
- Ms. Xenia Argeitaki, Assistant Professor of SEFAA, University of Athens, Greece
- κ. Spyros Avgoustis, Educator
- Ms Denise Panagopoulou, Director of ETHNOA
ETHNOA congratulates all the children and teachers who participated and especially the three winners! A big CONGRATULATIONS to the first winner whose poem will be incorporated into the existing musical composition of Ms. Sophia Alexandrou.
The poems that were read, delighted the Commission with the messages they sent out.
The members of the Committee had the rare chance to enjoy the lyrical creations of all the students.
The excitement was constant and the BONUS TO THE CHILDREN was the phrase that was heard after each reading. Special mention and congratulations to the teacher(s) who guided and inspired the children.
We hope that the Anthem of NATION will be sung in all the widths and lengths of our country, since its messages do not only concern sport but are timeless and touch every human being who cares for the good of society.
1ο prize: Experimental Music High School of Pallini
ANTHEM OF THE NATIONAL OLYMPIC ACADEMY
A flame will be lit,
on earth will shine,
with the games
will be united.
Common hope
freedom,
to fight, beloved
all together.
It's the games
a story,
written all over
from athletes
And they have value
about friendship,
in a spirit of fair play,
over differences.
In this place,
where they were born,
now eternally
they will move on.
Brotherhood
and parity
this world
we wish to rule.
Let's move forward,
with a heart
all together.
Pacific
and in groups,
with a soul!
Our athletes
are values
and presences
timeless
And from the stage
of Olympia,
peace message
they send us to our hearts.
On the podium,
what a joy,
be a winner!
With odes
and peacocks,
the glory to live!
For this year's Olympic Day, just two days after the Music Festival, we are pleased to announce the official anthem of ETHNOA, commissioned by its President Mr. George Alikakos and the Board of Directors of ETHNOA, to the composer Sophia Alexandrou.
This anthem was created in order to musically represent from now on the National Olympic Academy as a trademark of the Olympic values with which ETHNOA is walking.
As a tribute to the creativity of the new generation, ETHNOA is declaring a nationwide competition open to all schools (Primary, Secondary and High Schools), so that lyrics written by the students themselves can be included in the anthem.
The proposed lyrics should reflect the Olympic spirit, the Olympic values and ideals that are the cornerstone of sport and Olympic Education.
