In the heart of Istanbul, a group of passionate educators is quietly keeping the flame of Greek heritage alive. Despite a dwindling population and complex cultural dynamics, teachers at the Greek Community Schools in Istanbul continue to serve as the bridge between history and modern identity. Speaking at a heartfelt event organized by RUMVADER (the Association for the Support of Greek Community Foundations) and the Stavrodromi Community, Giorgos Papaliaris, president of RUMVADER, honored their unwavering commitment. He described them as “guardians of our identity,” carrying forward the language and spirit of Hellenism through generations.
Held at the Greek heritage Orthodox Church of Agia Triada near Taksim Square, the event recognized the dedication of educators from key institutions like the Phanar Greek Orthodox College, the Zappeion, and the Zografeion Lyceum. Honored among the retirees were Aris Tsokonas, a physics teacher at Zografeion; Tina Del Re, the Zappeion’s long-serving secretary; and Kiki Samouilidou, a physical education teacher. Their collective decades of service symbolize the resilience and continuity of Greek education in Turkey.
Educators as Custodians of Culture
Teachers at these historic schools shared a deep sense of pride and emotional connection to their roles. Savvas Panagiotidis, a physical education instructor at Phanar Greek heritage Orthodox College, likened their mission to guarding Thermopylae. “We strive to keep the schools alive,” he said, emphasizing the symbolic importance of each classroom.
Similarly, English teacher Dora Senikoglou-Diakrousi described teaching as akin to motherhood, nurturing not just students but the cultural essence they carry. For chemistry teacher Evridiki Pingou, serving at her alma mater Zografeion, is a way of giving back to the institution that shaped her. “My teachers are now my colleagues,” she noted, reflecting on her journey within Istanbul’s Greek diaspora. Despite never living in Greece, she and her students maintain a strong connection to the Greek language and values.
Veteran teacher Aris Tsakonas, who came into education later in life after a career in engineering, views teaching as a lifelong calling. “Teachers preserve language and tradition,” he said, highlighting the unique challenges of instructing students who often speak Greek as a second language. Tsakonas also contributes to cultural exchange through his Turkish translations of classical Greek texts, helping thousands discover Hellenic thought and literature.
Preserving Identity Amid Challenges
For many, their commitment is personal as well as professional. Christina Govesi, a literature teacher at the Zappeion, spoke of feeling the presence of past educators in the school’s corridors, “a double sense of time,” she called it. She emphasized the intimacy and respect that define Istanbul’s Greek schools, a contrast to the detachment often felt elsewhere.
Evangelia Kanari, now director of the Zappeion Kindergarten and Elementary School, proudly returned to serve the school from which she graduated. “We will never cease to be,” she declared, echoing the enduring spirit of the community. Education coordinator Dimitra Vourdoglou summed up the collective vision: “The future is in our hands. We must all join forces; no one is excluded.”
As Greek schools in Istanbul continue to adapt and persevere, they remain vital symbols of resilience and cultural continuity, where educators stand as the last bastion of a living Greek heritage that refuses to fade.
