Εταιρεία Ηπειρωτικών Μελετών (Ε.Η.Μ.)

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In 1949, after the difficult period of the World War II, the occupation, and the civil war, the idea was born and the effort to found the Society for Epirotic Studies in Ioannina was started.

The initiator was the late Kostas Frontzos, a great visionary, whose primary goal was the spiritual renaissance of Epirus and Ioannina, a vision that was certainly based on the long spiritual and educational tradition of Epirus. On March 9, 1955, the first General Assembly of the Society for Epirotic Studies was held, which unanimously elected Kostas Frontzos as its President.

During his long term of office he worked with dedication and consistency for the implementation of the objectives of the Society for Epirotic Studies. In 1976 he founded the subsidiary Foundation for Ionian and Adriatic Studies (. In the years that followed, thanks to his persistent efforts, Frontzos managed to acquire various premises that would serve and promote the objectives of the Society. His constant collaborator was the architect Vassilis Harisis, who undertook the design of the Great Hall, the Open-Air Theatre, the Pavilion, etc., respecting the continental tradition, architecture and decoration.

After relocating to various places, the Society found its final home in the Megaron in the centre of Ioannina. For the Megaron, the elements of the continental architectural tradition were adopted, wood carvings on the ceilings and walls, a fireplace in stone relief, living rooms with exceptional furniture, paintings, rare engravings and maps of the continental land and landscape, valuable silver and other utensils, and wondrous handicrafts.

In addition to the reception areas and the offices, the Gallery of the Society is housed in the premises of the Great Hall. Its collection includes approximately 600 paintings, engravings and sculptures. Among the works, the visitor can admire the creations of Epirotes and other important artists of the 20th century.

One of the primary objectives of the Society and a necessary condition for the achievement of its objectives was the establishment of a Library. Through purchases, donations and exchanges with cultural and intellectual institutions, the Library has acquired about 80,000 books covering the history, topography, architecture, archaeology, literature, and scholarship of the Epirotes. At the same time, it is constantly enriched with books on modern and contemporary Greek literature, art, history, philosophy, psychology, etc. Among the Library's valuable acquisitions are 700 rare volumes of antiquarian books printed in Venice, Trieste, Vienna, Leipzig, etc. The collection of Athenian and continental scientific and literary journals from the 19th century to the present day is rich. The valuable archives of both the Society for Epirotic Studies and the Foundation for Ionian and Adriatic Studies are also kept in a special area of the Megaron.

The Society for Epirotic Studies supports research through the publication of monographs on specific thematic units relating to epirotic affairs and touching on archaeology, philology, history, folklore, the publication of Proceedings of Conferences and Workshops and the annual journal Epirotic Diary..

In the place of the old quarry with a view of the lake and the city, the "Open Air Theatre K. Frontzos" has been established. The plan of the visionary architect Vassilis Harisis follows the model of the ancient theatre with a paved orchestra, friezes, bearings, retaining walls, and individual spaces. The theatre has been declared a historical site by the Ministry of Culture. Every year, performances, concerts, dance events, and so on are held, and it is also used by the Municipality, the Region, and other cultural institutions of the city.

Next to the open-air theatre, there is the Tourist Pavilion "K. Frontzos" of the Society (now called "Frontzu Politia") designed again by Vassilis Harisis. The interior is decorated with authentic wood carvings, and stone-carved fireplaces from Konitsa, Zagoria, and Pogoni. It operates as a restaurant and refreshment room. A zoo, enriched with continental fauna and flora, operates on the hill.

In an Ottoman mansion of the 19th century (property of Hayredin Pasha, which later housed the Ioannina Teachers' College, the Men's College, is the Folklore Museum "Kostas Frontzos" of the Society for Epirotic Studies and the Foundation for Ionian and Adriatic Studies, founded by K. Frontzos. The permanent collection includes men's and women's costumes and numerous ornate garments from all regions of Epirus, as well as exquisite jewelry of the famous Ioannina techniques. Also masterpieces of the North-Epirotic and Constantinople, Balkan and European jewelry, weapons, textiles, and embroidery.

Through the exhibits of the Museum, the everyday life of the inhabitants of the past centuries is highlighted: caskets, wooden carvings, bronze, stone carvings and tools. Finally, souvenirs of the liberation of Ioannina from Ottoman rule (February 21, 1913), such as one of the flags of the people of Ioannina, which they waved from their homes to welcome the Greek army, the sword of Esat Pasha, who surrendered the city, and the coat of arms of the Ottoman power, which was hung behind his office. Objects that take the Museum visitor on a journey into the knowledge of the past of the place, and reconstruct the social history of a great era.