Today, Greece honors its national benefactors, those who, with insight, generosity and love for their homeland, supported the nation in defining moments. Benefactors' Day is dedicated to the memory of people whose work transcended the boundaries of their time and laid the foundations for the progress of society, education and culture.
A special place among them is occupied by the benefactors of Northern Epirus. From the mountains of Epirus and the settlements abroad, they offered with selflessness and vision. Schools, universities, monuments, charitable works and sports institutions bear their imprint. Their biographies are living proof that the true power of a person lies in the contribution to society.
Apostolos Arsakis: The founder of education
Apostolos Arsakis (1792-1874), from the village of Hotachova in Premet, was not only a physician and politician in Romania. He firmly believed that education was the main means to “remove the stigmata of long-standing slavery.” Through the Philekpadeftiki Etaireia of Athens, he donated more than 600,000 gold drachmas for the establishment of the Arsakios Girls’ School in Athens, the first pedagogical academy in the country.
Arsakis is considered a pioneer in the spiritual liberation of Greek women. In the terms of his donations, he stipulated that the graduates of the Girls' School were to teach, ensuring the dissemination of knowledge to every corner of Hellenism. The Arsakian schools that flourished in Greece and the Greek diaspora gave birth to thousands of female teachers, the "swallows" who carried the spiritual spring.
The Zappa Brothers: The Revivalists of the Olympic Games
Cousins Evangelis (1800-1865) and Konstantinos Zappas (1813-1892), from Kato Lambovo, Tepelen, became rich in Romania but dedicated their fortune to Greece. Evangelis Zappas proposed the revival of the Olympic Games through a letter to King Otto and donated 1,200,000 drachmas for the first renovation of the Panathenaic Stadium.
The "Zappian Olympics" (1859, 1870, 1875, 1889) were a precursor to the modern Olympic Games of 1896. Konstantinos Zappas continued their work, financing the construction of the Zappeion Megaron, which remains one of the most emblematic monuments of Athens.
Christakis Zografos: The Eminent Benefactor of the Diaspora
Christakis Zografos (1820-1896) From kestorati, gjirokastër, Developed Business activities in constantinople and Paris. he supported The Greek philological Association Of Constantinople And founded the zografio Lyceum, Which operates to this day.
In his homeland, he created the "Zografeia Didaskalea", the first pedagogical academy for boys and girls in modern Greece. Over 400 teachers graduated from there, strengthening the educational network of Epirus.
Ioannis Bagas: The highest example of selflessness
Ioannis Bagkas (1814-1889) from Korçë worked hard in Egypt and Romania. Almost illiterate, he donated his entire fortune to the Greek State, keeping only 500 drachmas a month for his maintenance.
From this fortune, the "Megas Alexandros" and "Bageion" hotels were created in Omonia Square, while the Bagion Committee continues to fund schools and students, fulfilling his dream of education and philanthropy.
The Sina Family: Colossi of Austria-Hungary
Baron Simon Sinas (1810-1876), a prominent member of the family with roots from Moschopolis, Korçë, was the son of the powerful Northern Epirus businessman and national benefactor Georgios Sinas, who, since the beginning of the 19th century, had achieved a prominent position in the commercial and banking world of Vienna, laying the foundations for the family's economic and social rise. Simon, continuing this tradition, expanded his contribution to the homeland and Hellenism, leaving an indelible mark on the history of national benefactors.
From the mid-19th century, Simon Sinas directed his donations both to Austria-Hungary and to Greece. In Vienna, he supported the Commercial School, the active Greek community for the construction of the Church of the Holy Trinity, as well as cultural institutions such as the Society of Friends of Music and the Albrecht Leisure Tower. In this way, he contributed decisively to the cultural and educational development of the Austrian capital, leaving behind a mark that went beyond the narrow boundaries of the Greek diaspora.
In Athens, his sponsorships were equally impressive. He allocated significant sums for the Amaliéio Orphanage, the Eye Hospital, the completion of the Metropolitan Cathedral, the renovation of the National Observatory and the Philekpadeftiki Etaireia. His most important work, however, was the construction of the Athens Academy Building, designed by Theophilos Hansen and supervised by Ernest Ziller, which to this day is one of the leading monuments of neoclassicism. At the same time, he offered scholarships to dozens of young Greeks, giving them the opportunity to study in Europe and return with knowledge valuable to the nation.
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