The General State Archives, the Central Service and the Historical Archives-Museum of Epirus in the framework of the events for “ELEFTHEREIA 2025” are organizing an exhibition of archival material on the theme:

Benefactors and Benefactors 18th-20th century”

The exhibition will be inaugurated by the Mayor of the city of Ioannina Mr. Thomas Bengas on Friday, 21/02/2025 at 19.00.

The selection of the archival documents of the exhibition aims not only to highlight the continental prosperity but also to remind and connect people of contribution with the emblematic works that are still today landmarks of cities and part of our everyday life.

The journey of the exhibition starts from the pre-revolutionary years and the period of the Revolution of 1821, when charity played a crucial role in the Struggle for Independence.

The main aim of the exhibition is to highlight the essential participation of the phenomenon of beneficence in the process of foundation, construction and operation of infrastructure in Greece in the 19th and 20th centuries. The acts of beneficence are many. Educational and intellectual institutions, museums, orphanages, hospitals, donations for the equipping and strengthening of the national fleet, projects for culture and sport ‧the Zappeion Hall, the Arsakeion Partenagogue of Psychiko, the Academy, the University, the Polytechnic, the Observatory, the National Library, the National Archaeological Museum, the Varvakeio High School, the Agricultural School, the Kallimarmaro, the Evelpidon School, the Battleship Averoff, the Rizareios School and many other public institutions and projects.

Women’s philanthropy and the benefactors of the city of Ioannina are presented in a special tribute, while Georgios Stavros, founder and first governor of the National Bank of Greece, is presented through documents kept in the Historical Archive of the National Bank of Greece.

Duration: 21 February-31 May 2025