“Maria-Sofia Mathioudaki” Award Ceremony
The award ceremony for the “Maria-Sofia Mathioudaki” Award took place in an atmosphere of deep emotion and enthusiasm on May 10, 2025 at 11:00. The event was organized by the Nikos Kazantzakis Museum in collaboration with the 6th and 44th Primary Schools of Heraklion and the Primary School of Myrtia, fulfilling the wish of the late Adamantios Mathioudakis in memory of his daughter, Maria-Sofia Mathioudaki.
The “Maria-Sofia Mathioudaki” Award was established by the Museum, as stipulated in the will of the late Adamantios Mathioudakis, who named the Nikos Kazantzakis Museum as his legal heir. The award includes a monetary award for two 6th-grade students—one from the 6th and 44th Primary Schools of Heraklion and one from the Primary School of Myrtia—who excelled in the student literary competition organized by the Museum under the theme: “Responsibility and Dignity in the Work of Nikos Kazantzakis.”
In the competition, which took place on April 9, forty students from the two schools participated. They were prepared by their teachers and the Museum’s Head of Educational Programs. The students’ texts were evaluated by a special committee consisting of: Mary Dimaki Zora, Associate Professor at the Department of Primary Education, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens; Nikos Mathioudakis, Lecturer at the Hellenic Open University’s Master’s Program in “Creative Writing”; Eleni Nestora, educator and author; Thodoris Papaioannou, teacher and author; and Androniki Spatharaki, Director of the European School of Heraklion.
The “Maria-Sofia Mathioudaki” Prize for the literary competition was awarded to Konstantinos Antonakakis, student of the 6th and 44th Primary School of Heraklion, and Christina Skantzouraki, student of Myrtia Primary School. The prizes, which included a monetary award, were presented by the President of the Museum, Mr. Andreas Metaxas.
Additionally, four (4) honorary distinctions were awarded to Nikolaos Bakoutis and Erianna Plousi from the 6th and 44th Primary School of Heraklion, and Nikolaos Griniezakis and Eleftheria-Styliani Marnelaki from Myrtia Primary School. Certificates of participation were given to all students who took part, encouraging their love for literature and creative writing.
The students’ texts were displayed in the “Kleopatra Prifti” Hall of the Museum’s Cultural Center, where they will remain on exhibition until June 30, 2025.
The event was attended by the Mayor of the Municipality of Archanes-Asterousia and member of the Board of Directors, Mr. Manolis Kokosalis; the President of the local community of Myrtia, Mr. Haris Tsakountakis; the Regional Director of Education of Crete, Mr. Manolis Kartsonakis; the Principals of the 6th and 44th Primary Schools of Heraklion, Ms. Emmanouela Perisinaki and Ms. Marilena Papazachariaki; the Principal of Myrtia Primary School, Ms. Theano Antonopoulou; as well as teachers from both schools. Also present were Board members Mr. Michalis Krasakis and Mr. Vangelis Dermitzakis, along with the members of the committee who evaluated the texts—Mr. Nikos Mathioudakis, Ms. Androniki Spatharaki, and Ms. Eleni Nestora—together with the students’ parents and friends of the Museum.
This first literary competition, organized by the Museum in collaboration with the aforementioned Primary Schools, fulfills two important and interconnected goals: fostering a love of reading and nurturing the creative expression of students. At the same time, it offers a platform for young creators and, as evidenced by the texts of the award-winning students, has the potential to highlight new literary talents.
Biography of Maria-Sofia Mathioudaki
Maria-Sofia Mathioudaki was a radiant and charismatic personality who, through her work and presence, illuminated every field in which she served.
She was born on August 13, 1966, in Heraklion, Crete, the only daughter of Adamantios Mathioudakis and Chrysoula Bourlotou. She studied at the Department of Primary Education in Rethymno and later served as a teacher in various schools in Heraklion, spending many years at the 6th Primary School of Heraklion. She married Antonis Gazi, son of the distinguished jurist and professor at the University of Athens, Andreas Gazi. She passed away prematurely on December 16, 2011. Shortly afterward, her husband Antonis Gazi also passed away. They left behind a young son, little Adam, then still in early childhood.
As the heir to the collections of the Dimitrios–Chrysanthi Kavallakis and Stavros–Marika Bourlotou families, Maria-Sofia Mathioudaki donated to the Society of Cretan Historical Studies (E.K.I.M.) important artifacts that were incorporated into the Numismatic and Ethnographic Collections of the Historical Museum. The late Adamantios Mathioudakis ensured that Maria-Sofia Mathioudaki, even after her passing, would continue to support the work and mission of the Nikos Kazantzakis Museum and remain a source of inspiration for students.
