In Greece, we rarely honor the memory of people who have done a lot as statesmen, unless they were at the top of political or state leadership. This is why the efforts of Messinia and the Peloponnese region deserve special praise as they keep the institution flourishing, which was founded after the death of the prematurely lost Panagiotis Foteas, a spiritual man and conscientious politician who served (1939-1998) as prefect of Rhodopeia and Messinia, but also as a c.g. at the Ministry of Culture. This is the “Panagiotis Fotea” award, which is established by a series of scholarships for outstanding Messinian students studying law or political science, funded from the outset by the late Captain Vassilis Constantakopoulos, a close friend of the deceased. The 2022 award ceremony took place last Friday at the Kalamata Hotel. The Fotea Prize for the essay “Free Thinking” went to K’s director Alexis Papachelas for his book on Cyprus “Dark Room 1967-1974” and to young children who distinguished themselves academically. After 23 years, the institution still enjoys the support of both the Peloponnese region, the municipality of Kalamata, and the “Captain Vassilis and Carmen Constantakopoulos” foundation.

“It is a great honor for our family to receive the pan-Greek prize in memory of my husband,” Eleni Fotea emphasized in the column, noting that many personalities have received it to date, such as Stelios Ramfos, Eleni Glikatsi-Arveler, Christos Jannaras and recently Thanos Veremis. The son of Panagiotis Foteas, Sotiris, also took the stage to express his gratitude to the organizers. Scholarships have been awarded to Georgia Kalogeropoulou (Achilleas Constantakopoulos), Pagonas Petroulias (Metropolitan Chrysostom of Messina), Polizois Stathopoulos (Mayor of Kalamata Thanasis Vasilopoulos), Ioanna Cutantoni (Alexis Papachelas), Nikos Stathopoulos (Academician Chrysostom Maltezu) and Maria Alexopoulou (from Deputy Governor of Messinia Vassilis Capellios ). The award is 5,000 euros and will be paid for the duration of these young people’s studies.

After that, the award was presented to Alexis Papachelas by the Regional Governor of the Peloponnese and Deputy Minister of Education, Angelos Sirygos. In his greeting, Panagiotis Nikas stressed the need for everyone to remember the two great men of Messinia, the sense of unity they represented, the love for the homeland and place, their contribution and their great work.

This was followed by a discussion – a presentation of a book about the dramatic events of Cyprus with the author and Deputy Minister, in a crowded hall with many standing. In addition, in our era there are many upheavals that remind of the mistakes and failures of the past, which cost Greece dearly. Therefore, retelling the story can only be useful.