"Maria Tsakos" Foundation

The idea for establishing the Foundation was born in the mid – 1970s, when Captain P.N.Tsakos was in Montevideo, Uruguay, for professional reasons. His contacts with the Uruguayans revealed to him an exceptionally cultivated people and, principally, a people that revered and adored the ancient Hellenic spirit and culture; a people eager to accept any element associated with Hellenic culture and tradition.

This fact was the main reason for the establishment of the “Tsakos Foundation”, in March 1978, which – in 2002 – was renamed to “Maria Tsakos” Foundation, in memory of the founder’s respected mother.

Captain P.N.Tsakos’ initiative was very warmly received by the Uruguayans, and thus the Foundation continues, with enormous success, up to the present day, its work of teaching the Greek language and disseminating elements of the ancient, as well as of the modern, Hellenic culture. This work has contributed to consolidating the esteem of Uruguay’s political and intellectual leadership, together with the admiration of the Uruguayans for Greece. Moreover, the presence of the Foundation strengthens the cultural ties between Greece and the Spanish–speaking people of Latin America.

The devotion of the Tsakos family to the foundation is inherited from generation to generation. Thus, the founder’s daughter, Maria P. Tsakos, today plays an essential role in its development in her capacity as the Deputy President.

Initially, the Foundation was based in the classrooms of the “Erwy School” in Montevideo. In those premises, Greek lessons and cultural activities took place, from 1978 to 1984. From the early years, valuable contribution was offered by Captain Walter Fernandez Illa, teacher Vassilis Hahavias, Mrs. Lucila Romero, diplomat Alvaro Gallardo, Captain Dimitris Linas, Mrs. Calliope Linas, and Mrs. Margarita Larriera, the present director of the foundation.

In 1985, the Foundation moved to a historic building which once housed the first Town Parliament during Spanish rule, in Trienta y Tres Street. The same building also accommodates the consulate of the Cypriot Republic, given that Captain P. N. Tsakos is the Honorary Consul General of Cyprus in Uruguay.

The Foundation has been officially recognized by Uruguay’s Ministry of Education and Culture. Since 1992, following the signing of the relative agreement, Modern Greek languages courses are taught in the faculty of Humanistic Studies, at Uruguay’s University of the Republic, with the collaboration of the Foundation’s teachers. This agreement is extremely important, because it gives the foundation the opportunity – apart from its comprehensive cultural activities – to also develop research and scientific work on the Hellenic Culture, valuable for university – level education.

In 1999 the Foundation was recognized by the Greek Education Ministry as the official Examination Centre for Greek Language Certification, for students from Uruguay, as well as other Latin American countries.

Protection of the environment constitutes a parallel aim of the Foundation. Its sensitivity in environmental issues has been practically demonstrated through the initiative of setting up and hosting “URUMEPA”, which was created along the lines of the Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association, “HELMEPA”.

The Foundation has a particularly strong presence in the life of the Hellenic community abroad, in cooperation with the Greek Orthodox church in South America, and plays a vital role in solving problems of the community in cooperation with the Council for Hellenes Abroad, and other bodies of the diaspora.

In 1999, after the Foundation had been functioning for 20 years, Captain P.N.Tsakos was honoured by the Athens Prefecture with the title, “Ambassador of Hellenism.”

The presentation of the “Medal of the City of Athens” to Captain P.N.Tsakos, by Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos, in 2002, constitutes another honour for the foundation.

In 2003, Captain P.N.Tsakos was presented with the Aghios Stephanos cross, by His Grace, the Bishop of Buenos Aires, Bishop Tarasios, in recognition of his contribution to Hellenism and the Orthodoxy.

In December 2003, the Foundation was honored with the highest award by the Academy of Athens, for its outstanding cultural and charitable work, at a special ceremonial session, attended by the President of the Hellenic Republic, Kostis Stephanopoulos.