On Friday the 30^th of November 2018, students of Erasmus Plus Program: GEOPARKS – NATURAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE THAT JOINS EUROPEAN STUDENTS AND TEACHERS, 2018-1-PL01-KA229-050575_5, of Agios Ioannis Lyceum, accompanied by their coordinator Mr Nikolas Nikolaou, visited the exhibition “Memories of GAIA – UNESCO Global Geoparks of Greece and Cyprus in Athens (Greece)”. A quick description of the exhibition follows:The exhibition „brings” visitors to a trip to island and mountain areas with international recognition: in Lesvos, Psiloritis, Sitia, Vico-Aoos, Helmos-Vouraikos and Troodos in Cyprus.Pictures of unique geological and natural monuments, impressive landscapes, fossil forests, canyons, waterfalls, caves, coasts, valleys, along with spectacular vertebrate fossils (such as teeth and bones of progenitor elephants) and marine organisms (such as shells and corals) born in the depths of the ocean millions of years ago constitute a virtual journey in space and time.UNESCO World Geoparks are sites that feature world-class geological heritage, are valuable records of land history and help to understand and address modern environmental problems and natural hazards. They are the newest category of sites recognized by UNESCO, after World Heritage Sites and Biosphere Reserves.

The exhibition „Memories of Gaia – UNESCO Global Geoparks of Greece-Cyprus” takes place within the framework of Geotourism in the island Geopark and the GEO-IN acronym of the INTERREG VA GREECE – CYPRUS 2014-2020 Cooperation Program with the co-financing of the European Union national resources of Greece and Cyprus.Professor Nicholas Zouros (President of UNESCO Global Geoparks association) talked to students about the UNESCO Global Geoparks: The Earth’s Heritage in Sustainable Development Education. The Greek experience and the example of Lesvos.