Residents and educators on the island of Naxos are shocked by unprecedented vandalism at the building of the 2nd Primary School of Chora Naxos, which occurred late Saturday night (July 4, 2026). The damage—caused by unknown individuals—was discovered Sunday morning (July 5, 2026) by school principal Nikos Kastellanos.
‘A Blow to Education Itself’
In a public Facebook post, Kastellanos addressed the local community, expressing deep sorrow, profound concern, and a strong sense of responsibility. He stressed that the act was not merely an attack on public property—but on the very values education represents.
“With deep sorrow, intense concern, and a sense of responsibility… I feel compelled to speak publicly to our local society following the tragic incident of a nighttime break-in by unknown individuals into our school premises and the serious vandalism they caused,” he wrote.
He emphasized that such vandalism “does not target just a public building—it strikes at Education itself,” calling it “an act of symbolic violence against knowledge, culture, and progress.”
A Message to the Community
In his full statement, Kastellanos addressed students, colleagues, parents, and fellow citizens:
“Dear students, friends, esteemed colleagues, outstanding parents, and fellow citizens! With deep sorrow, intense concern, and a sense of responsibility—as Principal of the 2nd 14-class Primary School of Chora Naxos—I feel compelled to address our local community following the tragic incident of a nighttime break-in by unknown individuals into our school premises and the serious vandalism they caused.
I confess—I feel shame. And perhaps that is the least any principal—or any educator—can feel when witnessing a space dedicated exclusively to children’s learning, cultivation, and moral development being targeted.
Unfortunately, there are still people who fail to grasp that education is humanity’s strongest asset—the safest defense against ignorance, fanaticism, violence, and social decline. Violence spreads like a dangerous social virus. As long as we all fail to confront its deeper causes with consistency, responsibility, and collective action, it will continue to reproduce—and undermine institutions, values, and role models.
When violence invades the school, it does not merely damage a public building—it attacks Education itself. Vandalizing a school is not just destruction of public property. It is symbolic violence directed at education, at the principal, at students, at teachers, and at the timeless values served by public schooling. It is an assault on knowledge, on culture, on progress—and on hope for a better tomorrow. Knowledge is power. Genuine education is the foundation…”