Thanks to the solidarity of Greek individuals and entrepreneurs, and in an effort to upgrade school libraries, book donations were made during the 2024–2025 school year to schools across various regions of Greece, aiming to support their everyday educational needs.
The books donated were all audiobooks, authored by Ilias Bountouris. Thirty of them contain short stories featuring characters from traditional professions, narrated by well-known Greek artists and accompanied by period-specific soundscapes and adapted musical compositions by Mikis Theodorakis, Stamatis Kraounakis, and Stefanos Varelas. These works highlight Greece’s forgotten trades.
The remaining eight are part of the series “Little Journeys” and offer audio-guided tours through Greece’s historical and cultural evolution, showcasing the distinct local traditions of various regions. These audiobooks are set to become valuable educational tools for teachers.
Upon receiving the donations, school principals expressed heartfelt thanks to all private individuals and entrepreneurs in both Greece and the Greek diaspora who contributed to this meaningful and generous initiative.
“The donation of Mr Bountouris’ audiobooks, with their unique narration and the musical accompaniment of great Greek composers, is not only a cultural gift for our students but also a valuable educational tool for our teachers,” the school principals said.
“The addition of these books to our school libraries strengthens our efforts toward creative and experiential learning while cultivating imagination, historical awareness, and a love for Greek heritage. Especially today, when the need for quality educational materials is greater than ever, such initiatives truly demonstrate the power of social contribution and solidarity.
“Donating books to a school plants the seeds of knowledge, gives wings to children’s imagination, and equips them for their future. It is an act with profound and lasting impact on children’s education and development.”
Although these audiobooks cater to all age groups, it is notable that they are particularly popular among younger listeners.
In recognition of the donors’ admirable contributions, the author of the sponsored books, Mr Bountouris, stated: “During the past academic year, the libraries of many Greek schools were enriched with my books, which promote Greek culture through modern methods.”
“Their selection by educators is an honour for me. At the same time, we witnessed an initiative that mobilised and united the Greek community, showcasing both the humanity and deep concern of Greeks for their children’s future,” Mr Bountouris said.
“May this movement inspire others to follow suit — knowing that they, too, have the power to change our world for the better.”
Among the sponsors and donors were many Greeks from the diaspora, including numerous individuals from Australia. Some chose to remain anonymous. The following names, listed alphabetically, are Greek Australians who contributed:
- Elpida Avramidos
- Asimina Angelakis
- Elpida Akrivis
- Myrsini Anagnostopoulou
- Maria Anastasopoulou
- Nikolaos Argyris
- Zoi Varaka
- Niki Vlamaki
- Alexia Vrana
- Marina Gerakou
- Sofia Yalama
- Iliana Yoldasi
- Styliani Glynou
- Apostolos Delagrammatikas
- Ioannis Delligiannis
- Margarita Dermitzaki
- Nikolaos Despyris
- Despina Dramali
- Xenia Dritsa
- Elpida Zerva
- Athina Zisi
- Manolis Zymarakis
- Argyrios Theonas
- Aris Thraskias
- Anastasios Thomaidis
- Christos Thomakos
- Anastasia Ioannou
- Angeliki Kalamioti
- Alexis Kalogeropoulos
- Eleftherios Karnezis
- Eleni Karouzou
- Anna Ketime
- Theano Kirmitzi
- Maritsa Kloni
- Evangelos Ktenas
- Artemios Kouropoulos
- Xenia Lianta
- Paraskevi Liodaki
- Paraskevi Mavili
- Eirini Martaki
- Andreas Mellios
- Kleio Mitrousi
- Aristotelis Begnis
- Panagiota Bitha
- Efthymios Braimiotis
- Adriani Dela
- Elina Detsika
- Georgia Xanthippi
- Ioannis Orfanos
- Theano Parlavantza
- Evanthia Paschali
- Eirini Patera
- Ioanna Petralia
- Gerasimos Petridis
- Afroditi Plakia
- Marianthi Plantzou
- Eleni Prousali
- Georgios Repanis
- Anastasia Reppa
- Alexandros Roilos
- Sotiris Sinopoulos
- Apostolos Stamelos
- Anestis Triantafyllidis
- Katerina Ypsilanti
- Olga Fatourou
- Dimitrios Filippou
- Sotiria Ftelia
- Myrto Fytraki
- Erato Fytrakou
- Maria Psomas
