Intellectual Personalities 4.2.2015

(0.60) Kyriakos Hadjioannou. He was born in Achna in 1909 and died in 1997. He was a teacher, writer, researcher and folklorist. He studied at the School of Philosophy at the University of Athens. He excelled in all areas of his professional career as a teacher for his clarity and methodology in teaching and was particularly loved by his pupils. Between 1960-1963 he was appointed as the first Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to Cairo. He gave many lectures to associations, clubs in Cyprus and abroad, and to international academic conferences on folklore, historical, archaeological, linguistic, educational and other matters. His literary work centred on Cyprus is immense and it has earned him his place as the island's leading intellectual author. His five-volume work, "Ancient Cyprus in Greek Sources" is particularly remarkable. This received an award from the Academy in Athens and the Greek intellectual Group of Cyprus. In 1965 he received the title of doctorate from the University of Athens. He received many other distinctions not only from his homeland but also from abroad.

(0.60) Polyxeni Loizia. She was born in Limassol in 1855 and died in 1942. She went to school in Limassol and then studied in Smyurni and Constantinople. After 1878 she came to Cyprus to begin her teaching career, and was renowned for her invaluable services in educating girls. She was the Headmistress of the Limassol School for Girls (1878-1914) and a religious instruction teacher (1914-1923). In addition to her contribution to teaching, she contributed greatly as a feminist towards the empowerment of women. She was invovled in varied social and intellectual activities. She founded "Palladion", the Girl's gymnasium in Limassol and edited an intellectual magazine, under the same name, between 1924 and 1936. She also founded the first women's association in Limassol. She is considetered the first female Cypriot literary writer, who lived and worked in Cyprus. In addition to poetry, she wrote plays, school textbooks and educastional studies. Her work is national with educational content and her poetry is lyrical and patriotic.

(0.75) Loizos Philippou. He was born in Paphos in 1895 and died in 1950. A scholar, historian, researcher, educator and publisher, he was a noted intellectual and social factor in his birthplace and through his intense activity turning it into an intellectual centre during his life time. Although he studied law, he made a significant contribution to Cypriot history and literary research. He wrote numerous scientific studies, edited the newspaper "Paphos" for 20 years as well as the intellectual magazine of the same name. His work on the history of Greek literature in Cyprus during the Turkish occupation is memorable. He was the founder, inspector and leader of the Paphos Scouts Association. His diverse national activities were always related to the survival of Hellenism in Cyprus. He was an active member of the Paphos District Games Association, the National Council and founder and Chairman of "Korivos", the Gymnastics School and of the Paphos District Archaeological Museum.

(0.75) Persefoni Papadopoulou. She was born in Ktima, Paphos, in 1888 and died in Patra, in Pelloponisos in 1948. She graduated from the Arsakeio School in Athens with excellence and immediately started work as a teacher in Famagusta and then in Larnaca as the Headmistress of the town's school. She continued her studies in France and upon he return worked at a Girl's School in Nicosia. After the October uprising in 1931 she took on the management of the Arsakeio Academy in Patra until her death. She was not only the most prominent Greek teacher of her era, but a significant intellectual figure and leading feminist, to whom female educationowes a great deal. She founded "Estiades", the first women's newspaper in Cyprus, which she edited after 1915, taking on the preconceived prejudices and mentalities of her era. She also established a number of women's associations in Famagusta and Larnaca, with a national, educational and progressive purpose. At the same time, she was a remarkable writer whose works include textbooks, poetry, articles and studies of a literary, educational and enternaining nature.