Spartiatika News, November 6, 1957

IN THE PRESENCE OF THE MINISTER MR. DAVAKIS AND OTHER DIGNITARIES, THE INAUGURATION OF THE MAGNIFICENT PAPAGIANNAKOU SCHOOL IN AGIOS IOANNIS SPARTIS WAS HELD

(Thank you to Panorea Kostakou of Agios Ioannis, who found this newspaper article)

(Online translation by Carol Kostakos Petranek. Please excuse errors)

On the afternoon of last Sunday the inauguration of the newly built magnificent Papagiannakos School was solemnly held in Agios Ioannis of Sparta, erected with the help of the chosen son of the town and benefactor Mr. Dim. Papagiannakos, an expatriate in America.

In attendance at this glorious ceremony were the Minister of National Defense Mr. Dim. Davakis, the Governor of Laconia Mr. Chr. Kitsidis, councilmen of Lakonia Messrs. G. Roumanis and N.P. Varvitsiotis, the Inspector of Elementary Education of Lacedaemon Mr. Sot. Iliopoulos, the Senior Director of the Peloponnese, the Director of the K.E.E.M., the Director of Sparta, the Mayor of Sparta, the high school students of Sparta and many other guests as well as the residents of Agios Ioannis.

At the beginning, holy water was administered inside the school by the Reverend Agathaggelou Ivyritou and the priest Panos. Ierotheou Kyriazopoulou.

Subsequently, a student of the Agios Ioannis Primary School offered a bouquet of flowers to Mr. Papagiannakos and expressed the gratitude of his classmates.

Then they spoke in turn, extolling the importance of the work and the patriotism and philanthropy of Mr. Papagiannakos. Afterwards, the Principal of the School, Mr. Apost. Lerikos, the Reverend Mr. Agathaggelos, the Inspector Mr. Sot. Iliopoulos, the Prefect Mr. Kitsidis, the Member of Parliament Mr. N. Varvitsiotis, the Head of the Spartan High School Mr. Pan. Rozakis, the Member of Parliament Mr. Ger. Roumanis and the Minister, Mr. Dim Davakis. Also young students recited poems.

After this the officials left the school and the unveiling of the commemorative plaque on the façade of the church took place.

Then a banquet took place in the halls of the school, with sweets and refreshments being offered.

The artist photographer Mr. Nikos V. Georgiadis was going to film the ceremony, but the bad weather did not allow it.