Personal Donation Transforms Two Historic Schools on Leros

Antonis S Papadimitriou, president of the Onassis Foundation, and his wife Afroditi Panagiotakou, the foundation's director of culture and a board member, inspected extensive renovation work at Bellenio Middle School and Boulafentio General High School on Leros.

They were accompanied by Leros mayor Timotheos Kottakis and municipal council president Panagiotis Koumbaros, who were briefed on progress inside and outside the two schools.

The work was being funded by an important personal donation from Mr Papadimitriou and Ms Panagiotakou, entirely from their own resources. Those present stressed that the funding was not a donation from the Onassis Foundation.

Major improvements to two historic schools

The project involved general maintenance and renewal of Bellenio and Boulafentio, two buildings closely connected with the history of education on Leros and the memories of generations of islanders.

The work included the facades and interiors, maintenance of shared areas and toilets, and improvements to roofs and waterproofing.

A significant part of the exterior programme had already been completed, while work in the remaining areas was to continue.

A contribution to the children and future of Leros

Mayor Kottakis warmly thanked the couple for demonstrating their affection for the island through practical action.

He referred to their long-standing contribution to Leros, noting that they had previously supported individuals and cultural bodies including the local theatre group and the Artemis association.

Although it had not been possible to include a Leros school in the Public Onassis Schools programme, the couple decided to use personal funds for general maintenance of the middle and high schools.

The mayor thanked them from the heart and wished them and their children well, so that they could continue contributing to Greece and Leros.

We are well matched with Leros

Mr Papadimitriou said the couple's relationship with Leros was rooted both in the island's historic connection with Alexandria and Greeks from Egypt, and in the authenticity that Leros continued to preserve.

They came to the island in search of what was authentic, he said. Development was necessary but should be accompanied by appropriate infrastructure and must not change the island's character.

Visitors should not come only in August, he added. People on Leros lived there throughout the winter and had specific needs.

The Onassis Foundation president praised cooperation with the mayor and the municipal council president because, he said, they focused on infrastructure and progress while preserving the identity of Leros.

He made clear that he and Afroditi would help using their own resources. He also left open the possibility of further projects, saying they would return the following year for the school and anything else that might be needed.

Art in schools and cooperation with cultural groups

Ms Panagiotakou connected the initiative directly with education and culture. If two things could bring people closer to humanism and peace, she said, they were education and culture.

She revealed that care for the schools would go beyond technical improvements. There was an intention to place works of art from the Onassis Foundation collection and the couple's private collection in the buildings.

She also announced plans to work with people and groups involved in culture on Leros, stressing the importance of individuals, teams and the personal relationships that developed.

Speaking about their bond with the island, she said Leros knew how to welcome people and turn its historical wounds into strength. She also stressed the need to protect it from uncontrolled tourism development.

Those with power have a duty to help society

Ms Panagiotakou said she also came from a small place and that access to good schools had been important in her own life.

She had been able to attend good schools because others had made sure those schools were good. That created an obligation, she said: when a person had power in their hands, they should do something to help the society to which they also belonged.

Mr Koumbaros described the couple as true friends of Leros who cared about the island throughout the year and responded immediately whenever a need was brought to their attention.

The visit ended with warm thanks for their substantial personal contribution to the children, education and culture of Leros, and with the hope that the initiative would lead to further action in the near future.

Read more from Leros News in English.