Society for Epeirotic Studies

The Society for Epeirotic Studies (Greek: Εταιρεία Ηπειρωτικών Μελετών, EHM) is a non-profit association based in Ioannina, Greece, founded in 1953 on the initiative of Konstantinos Frontzos, a prominent Epirote figure who later served as a member of parliament and mayor of Ioannina. The Society's mission is to safeguard the cultural heritage of Epirus and to educate the Epirote people, a purpose it pursues through a wide range of scholarly, educational, and cultural activities. The Society operates a multi-faceted cultural centre in Ioannina that includes a Folklore Museum, an Art Gallery, a Library, and a Historical Archive. The Folklore Museum, named after Kostas Frontzos, was established in 1976 and is housed in a historic Ottoman-era mansion built between 1800 and 1808, which had previously served as an educational building for over a century. The museum's collection features traditional costumes from various regions of Epirus, silverwork, jewellery, everyday tools, agricultural implements, and a reconstructed urban house floor. The Art Gallery, inaugurated in 2013, displays works by Epirote and other notable Greek artists. The Library holds works by Epirote authors, old magazines and newspapers, and books on Epirus and Albania. The Historical Archive preserves significant documents and letters and is registered in the National Register of Archives of the General State Archives of Greece. Beyond its museum and archival functions, the Society organises courses, celebrations, lectures, book presentations, scientific meetings, and conferences. It also publishes books related to the culture of Epirus. In 1976, it founded the Foundation for the Study of the Ionian and Adriatic Area (Ίδρυμα Μελετών Ιονίου και Αδριατικού Χώρου). The Society has played a key role in the restoration of older buildings and the collection of historical archives and artworks, contributing significantly to the cultural and scientific development of Epirus. Its digital initiatives include a virtual museum and 3D tours, allowing online visitors to explore its spaces and collections. The Society remains active in Ioannina, continuing its mission to preserve and promote the heritage of Epirus through its cultural centre, publications, and public programmes.

The Society for Epeirotic Studies (Εταιρεία Ηπειρωτικών Μελετών) was founded in 1953 in Ioannina, Greece, on the initiative of Konstantinos Frontzos, a notable Epirote personality who later became a member of parliament and mayor of Ioannina. Frontzos served as president of the Society from 1955 until his death in 1986. The Society was established as a non-profit association with the aim of preserving the cultural heritage of Epirus and educating the Epirote people. From its early years, the Society worked to restore older buildings and to collect historical archives and works of art. In 1976, it founded the Foundation for the Study of the Ionian and Adriatic Area (Ίδρυμα Μελετών Ιονίου και Αδριατικού Χώρου). In the same year, it established the Folklore Museum, which was named after Kostas Frontzos. The museum is housed in a historic Ottoman-era mansion built between 1800 and 1808, which had served as an educational building for over a century: before the liberation of Ioannina it was a Turkish primary school, until 1935 it was the Ioannina Teachers' School, until 1938 and during World War II it housed the Zosimaia Pedagogical Academy, and later it was used as a boys' gymnasium and a technical foremen's school. The Society purchased the building in 1976, restored it, and has since used it to house the Folklore Museum. Between 1995 and 2000, a new building was erected on the site, where unique traditional costumes from various regions of Epirus and silverwork are exhibited, while the old building displays jewellery, everyday tools, agricultural implements, and a floor of an urban house. The Society's Historical Archive holds important documents and letters and is registered in the National Register of Archives of the General State Archives of Greece as an archival preservation body. The Art Gallery was inaugurated in 2013 and exhibits works by Epirote and other well-known artists. The Library contains works by Epirote authors, a section of old magazines and newspapers, and books concerning the region of Epirus and Albania. Throughout its history, the Society has organised cultural events, educational programmes, lectures, book presentations, scientific meetings, and conferences in its events hall. It also publishes books related to the culture of Epirus. Its digital applications include a virtual museum that allows online visitors to freely tour the museum's three-dimensional digital spaces and obtain additional information about the collection. The Society continues to operate its cultural centre in Ioannina, comprising the Cultural Centre, Library, Art Gallery, Folklore Museum, and Historical Archives.

• 2013

  Art Gallery inaugurated, exhibiting works by Epirote and other notable artists.

• 1995

  Construction begins on a new building for the Folklore Museum, completed in 2000.

• 1976

  Folklore Museum established and named after Kostas Frontzos; Society purchases and restores the historic Ottoman mansion to house it.

• 1976

  Foundation for the Study of the Ionian and Adriatic Area founded by the Society.

• 1955

  Konstantinos Frontzos becomes president of the Society, serving until his death in 1986.

• 1953

  Society for Epeirotic Studies founded in Ioannina on the initiative of Konstantinos Frontzos.

A non-profit cultural and scientific association dedicated to the preservation and study of the cultural heritage of Epirus, operating a major cultural centre in Ioannina.

• Folklore Museum "Kostas Frontzos"

  Houses traditional costumes, silverwork, jewellery, everyday tools, agricultural implements, and a reconstructed urban house floor.

• Art Gallery

  Inaugurated in 2013, displays works by Epirote and other well-known artists.

• Library

  Contains works by Epirote authors, old magazines and newspapers, and books on Epirus and Albania.

• Historical Archive

  Holds important documents and letters; registered in the National Register of Archives of the General State Archives of Greece.

• Virtual Museum

  Online application allowing free tours of 3D digital spaces and interaction with exhibits.

1. 1Home - Εταιρεία Ηπειρωτικών Μελετώνehm.gr
2. 2Society for Epeirotic Studies - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Εταιρεία Ηπειρωτικών Μελετών - Wikipediael.wikipedia.org