Leticia Mandragora "Parthenope"

To mark the 2,500th anniversary of the founding of Naples — a city born between myth and history — an impressive large-scale mural now adorns the wall of the 1st Primary School of the Municipality of Korydallos, creating a dynamic dialogue between Greek and Italian cultural heritage. According to legend, Naples was founded by Greek colonists at the spot where the body of the mythical Siren Parthenope washed ashore after she threw herself into the sea in despair when Odysseus did not succumb to her call. Parthenope, a symbol of dreams, challenge, and melody, embodies the city's deep connection to the sea, myth, and its Greek roots. The contemporary artistic interpretation of this myth is signed by Italian-Spanish artist Leticia Mandragora, who created a monumental mural that transforms a school wall into an open canvas of culture, imagination, and collective memory. Mandragora was born in Madrid and moved to Naples at the age of 15, where she came into contact with the culture of graffiti and street art. Her distinctive visual idiom is based on the systematic use of the color blue in her portraits.

Photos and video by Spyros Chatzikos

As she herself says:

"Blue initially appeared by chance. Over time, it acquired a deeper meaning for me and a connection to the spiritual world of the female form. Through this, I can transcend the material representation and lead the face to its emotional dimension. The eyes remain colored because, for me, they are the passage between spirit and reality."

The mural was created as a joint project between the Italian Cultural Institute of Athens, the Municipalityof Korydallos, and the Awesome Athens Experiences team, effectively reinforcing the role of public art as a tool for cultural exchange, aesthetic enhancement, and education. The high-quality acrylic paints used to create the work were kindly donate