Athanasios Ktorides Foundation is a non-profit

philanthropic Philanthropy is a form of altruism that consists of "private initiatives, for the public good, focusing on quality of life". Philanthropy contrasts with business initiatives, which are private initiatives for private good, focusing on material ...

organisation founded in 2008 by Nasos Ktorides, the first Cyprus Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF. The Foundation promotes

sport Sport pertains to any form of competitive physical activity or game that aims to use, maintain, or improve physical ability and skills while providing enjoyment to participants and, in some cases, entertainment to spectators. Sports can, ...

and

culture Culture () is an umbrella term which encompasses the social behavior, institutions, and norms found in human societies, as well as the knowledge, beliefs, arts, laws, customs, capabilities, and habits of the individuals in these groups ...

with humanitarian work. It is organizer of the Quantum Nicosia Marathon in 2010, 2012 and 2018. It collects and publishes books, academic research and studies. The Foundation supports Cypriot and Greek cultural heritage. It also sponsors charity activities that benefit families and children with special needs, as well as orphans and children's shelters, and all other activities aimed at the protection and well-being of children. The Foundation grants 10 full

scholarships A scholarship is a form of financial aid awarded to students for further education. Generally, scholarships are awarded based on a set of criteria such as academic merit, diversity and inclusion, athletic skill, and financial need. Scholarsh ...

for studies in leading European and American universities for 2018—2019.Scholarships for students in leading European, UK and US universities for 2018-2019
/ref> QNM 2010 - Start of Marathon

Activities

Sport and humanitarian activity

The Athanasios Ktorides Foundation was founded 2008 by its current chairman Nasos Ktorides, the first Cyprus Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF. The Foundation promotes and sponsors cultural and

activities and activities aimed at the protection and well-being of children. The

Nicosia Marathon Nicosia Marathon (branded The Quantum Nicosia Marathon) is an international marathon (42.195 km) that courses through Nicosia. Its inaugural run was held in October 10, 2010. as a half-marathon race. It was founded in 2010. by the Athanasios ...

was established in 2010 by the Foundation to commemorate 2500 years from the

Battle of Marathon The Battle of Marathon took place in 490 BC during the first Persian invasion of Greece. It was fought between the citizens of Athens, aided by Plataea, and a Persian force commanded by Datis and Artaphernes. The battle was the culmination o ...

. It was decided that 50% of revenue from entries in the Quantum Nicosia Marathon to be given to the objective of "My Venerable Friends", that is to the welfare of elders. More than 7,000 runners took part in the 2012 Nicosia Marathon, also sponsored by the Foundation. Simultaneously with the marathon, the Foundation also organised the "''Winner's Fair''" with many different activities. All proceeds are donated to the Cyprus Anti-Cancer Society. From the marathon participations' revenue, the Foundation also supported the charitable institutions "''One Dream One Wish''", The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, the ''Association of Parents and Friends of Children with Heart Disease'' and

UNICEF UNICEF (), originally called the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund in full, now officially United Nations Children's Fund, is an agency of the United Nations responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to ...

. In 2012, the Foundation sponsored the 2012 Parachuting Festival. In 2018, the Foundation also sponsored 7th Quantum Klirou Atovrisi Challenge, organized as 4 km and 12 km races. ActionForEnergy

Ktorides Fellowship and Action For Energy

In 2011, a cooperation agreement was signed between the Foundation and the

University of Cyprus The University of Cyprus (Greek: Πανεπιστήμιο Κύπρου) is a public research university established in Cyprus in 1989. It admitted its first students in 1992 and has approximately 7000 students. History The University of Cyprus wa ...

in a joint initiative ''Action for Energy''. The Foundation offered

scholarship A scholarship is a form of financial aid awarded to students for further education. Generally, scholarships are awarded based on a set of criteria such as academic merit, diversity and inclusion, athletic skill, and financial need. Scholars ...

s entitled ''The Athanasios Ktorides Foundation Scholarship'' to PhD students whose research was in the field of solar energy. Within the same initiative of ''Action for Energy,'' a significant project was announced, the "''Heroes Photovoltaic Park''", the largest in

Cyprus Cyprus ; tr, Kıbrıs (), officially the Republic of Cyprus,, , lit: Republic of Cyprus is an island country located south of the Anatolian Peninsula in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Its continental position is disputed; while it is ge ...

, with 10 MW of power on the land of the

.Biography of N. Ktorides from Vice-rector of University of Cyprus
/ref> In order to preserve Cyprus nature, the Foundation also supported tree-planting in 2017. The Athanasios Ktorides Foundation grants 10 full

for studies in leading European and American universities for 2018—2019.

Cultural activity

The Foundation erected a monument in 2011 dedicated to Michalis Stivaros, one of the heroes of the

First Balkan War The First Balkan War ( sr, Први балкански рат, ''Prvi balkanski rat''; bg, Балканска война; el, Αʹ Βαλκανικός πόλεμος; tr, Birinci Balkan Savaşı) lasted from October 1912 to May 1913 and invo ...

. On a mountain top overlooking

Pedoulas Pedoulas ( gr, Πεδουλάς) is a village in the Nicosia District of Cyprus, located at an altitude of in the Troodos Mountains, 4 km south of Moutoullas. It lies in Marathasa Valley. The name is derived from the words ''pediada'' (va ...

, the monument is erected as a symbol of the heroism of all Cypriots who fought in the Balkan wars. Stivaros died in December 1912 in prelude of the Battle of Bizani, fighting for the liberation of

Epirus sq, Epiri rup, Epiru , native_name_lang = , settlement_type = Historical region , image_map = Epirus antiquus tabula.jpg , map_alt = , map_caption = Map of ancient Epirus by Heinri ...

from the Turks. The Foundation erected and unveiled bust of Michalis Stivaros on 28 October 2013 in Ioannina. The Foundation has made significant contributions to the arts by securing and repatriating historically important documents and other literary works. On 50th anniversary of the execution of

Michalis Karaolis Michalis Karaolis ( el, Μιχαλάκης Καραολής; 13 February 1933 – 10 May 1956) was a Cypriot public official and revolutionary. Born in the village of Palaichori Oreinis of Pitsilia, Karaolis worked as a government clerk and a m ...

, Nasos Ktorides acquired from auction and donated to the National Struggle Museum in Nicosia a handwritten manuscript by Nobel laureate and philosopher,

Albert Camus Albert Camus ( , ; ; 7 November 1913 – 4 January 1960) was a French philosopher, author, dramatist, and journalist. He was awarded the 1957 Nobel Prize in Literature at the age of 44, the second-youngest recipient in history. His work ...

. Albert Camus in his letter to Queen Elizabeth II appealed for mercy for the Michalis Karaolis, freedom fighter of the EOKA struggle for independence. The presentation and publication of some important books are also supported by the Foundation. On May 25, 2018 Rector of the

Sorbonne University Sorbonne University (french: Sorbonne Université; la Sorbonne: 'the Sorbonne') is a public research university located in Paris, France. The institution's legacy reaches back to 1257 when Sorbonne College was established by Robert de Sor ...

, byzantinologist and UNICEF ambassador Eleni Glykatzi-Arveler in collaboration with the Athanasios Ktorides Foundation presented lecture on the historic subject ''The Past Has s Future''. FaneromeniPh2L

Children

Nicosia Special Honorary Award for Foundation

The Foundation has sponsored the publication of children's books with all revenues from their sale donated to

declared Nasos Ktorides as a National Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF. He is the first Cyprus Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF and the third in the wider Hellenic world. Children are regularly invited to different activities organized by the Foundation. Many charities and children ceremonies are sponsored or held under the Foundation's auspices. In organization of Foundation children from Pediatric-Oncology unit spent time on Ktorides Estate. Rector of the

and UNICEF ambassador Eleni Glykatzi-Arveler was guest several times on charity events organized by the Athanasios Ktoridis Foundation. Foundation sponsors charity activities that benefit families and children with special needs, as well as orphans and children's shelters, and all other activities aimed at the protection and well-being of children. The Foundation donated clothes for hundreds of children in the

Commonwealth of Dominica Dominica ( or ; Kalinago: ; french: Dominique; Dominican Creole French: ), officially the Commonwealth of Dominica, is an island country in the Caribbean. The capital, Roseau, is located on the western side of the island. It is geographically ...

. This was not the first aid sent to children in the

, assistance that continues to date. In 2009, the humanitarian sensitivity was recognized by the

and Nasos Ktorides was inducted as

Honorary Consul A consul is an official representative of the government of one state in the territory of another, normally acting to assist and protect the citizens of the consul's own country, as well as to facilitate trade and friendship between the people ...

of the country in Cyprus. The Prime Minister of Dominica awarded Ktorides the "Dominica Medal of Honor", as well as a diplomatic passport of the Caribbean nation.

Special honorary award

Nicosia Municipality awarded the Athanasios Ktorides Foundation with a Special Honorary Award on February 22, 2018 in Nicosia.

References

{{Reflist File:FaneromeniPh3L.jpg, File:MstivarouPh3 L.jpg, Unveiling statue of the Cypriot hero Michalis Stivaros in Ioannina

External links

Athanasios Ktorides Foundation website
Foundations based in Cyprus Non-profit organisations based in Cyprus Greek culture