Students from the Greek school Zografeion Lyceum in Istanbul, Turkey, visited the Greek town of Ioannina where Christakis Zografos, their school’s founder, used to study at Zosimaia School.
Tomorrow, April 16, for the first time in the Greek school’s 121 years of operation in Istanbul, 45 students, escorted by chaperone teachers and the school director, will travel to Zografos’ birthplace, the Greek village of Kestorati.
On Wednesday, the students visited Ioannina where they met with the town mayor. The school director, Giannis Dermitzoglou, spoke about the students’ “historical journey,” the first since the school first opened its doors in 1893. He also expressed his belief that the Greeks of Istanbul will soon face better days, noting that Zografeion Lyceum is constantly trying to support the Greeks and the Orthodox community of Istanbul through various events organized around the year.
Meanwhile, the mayor of Ioannina spoke about a trip filled with memories to the place where Zografos grew up and studied. He stressed the importance to never forget a person’s origin and honor history. “Greece and particularly Epirus’ roots are based on the idea of benevolence, on the ideal of providing for others.”
Later on Wednesday, a ceremony will be held for the twinning of the Zografeion Lyceum and the Zosimaia School alumni associations.