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Alexander S. Onassis Foundation

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The Vaduz headquarters

The Alexander S. Onassis Foundation (Greek: Κοινωφελές Ίδρυμα Αλέξανδρος Σ. Ωνάσης), commonly known as Onassis Foundation (Greek: Ίδρυμα Ωνάση) is a public benefit foundation based in Vaduz, Liechtenstein. It was established by Aristotle Onassis in his will in Liechtenstein in order to honor the memory of his son Alexander, who died at age 24 in an airplane crash in 1973.

History

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Aristotle Onassis died in 1975, and had directed in his will that half of his estate should be transferred upon his own death to a foundation to be established in his son's name.[1] In 1975, the executors of the estate accordingly established a pair of foundations, incorporated in Vaduz, Liechtenstein: the Business Foundation, which acts as a holding company for the underlying business interests, and the Alexander S. Onassis Public Benefit Foundation, which is the sole beneficiary of the Business Foundation.

The executors and original members of the Board of Directors, appointed in 1975 by Aristotle Onassis in his will, were his executives and business associates. Among them Nikos Kokkinis, Michael Dologlou, Stelios Papadimitriou, Paul Ioannidis, Apostolos Zambelas, Creon Brown, etc. Through time, other persons were added, such as Theodoros Gavriilidis.[2][3][4][5]

The public benefit foundation is based in Vaduz.[6] Aristotle's daughter, Christina Onassis, served as the first president of the foundation until her death in 1988.[7] She was succeeded by Stelios Papadimitriou, Aristotle Onassis' lawyer, who died in 2005.[8] Anthony S. Papadimitriou, the latter's son, serves as the current president and chair of the Board of Directors.[9]

The foundation is one of the largest in Europe, using its assets to create scholarship and prize programs, build the $75 million Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center in Athens (designed by London-based hospital architect Llewelyn Davies), endow Greek studies chairs at universities, and support other projects.[7] All activities of the Alexander S. Onassis Public Benefit Foundation, from the time of its establishment to the present, are funded exclusively by the profits of the Business Foundation, which engages mainly in shipping and real estate investments.

Activities & projects

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The Foundation is active in the fields of health, education, and culture, supporting a continuous connection with Greece and contemporary Greek culture.

Culture

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The Foundation aims at promoting Greek culture and civilization throughout the world and in Greece. The first international affiliate Onassis Foundation, now known as OnassisUSA, was established in New York City to disseminate information about Hellenic civilization throughout North and South America.[7][10]

The Onassis Cultural Center (now Onassis Stegi), Foundation's venue, was built in Athens in 2004 and opened in December 2010.[11][12][13] Onassis Stegi's artistic programming addresses issues of democracy, social and environmental justice, racial and gender equality, and LGBTI+ rights.[14]

The Foundation's US presence (Onassis USA) is in the Olympic Tower on Fifth Avenue, which was built in 1976 and combines offices, shops and luxury apartments. It is also home to the Onassis Cultural Center,[15] which has been open intermittently for exhibits and other programming, but as of 2018 is no longer regularly open to the public. From 2020 to 2022, the Onassis USA also maintained operations through its branch in Los Angeles (Onassis LA, aka OLA House) under Paul Holdengräber, mainly during COVID-19 pandemic.[16]

The Foundation undertook the establishment of the Onassis Library for Hellenic and Roman Art at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York,[17] the renovation and equipment of the libraries of the National Archaeological Museum,[18] the Byzantine & Christian Museum[19] and the Benaki Museum in Athens, the architectural preservation and restoration of sites and buildings around the world (such as C. P. Cavafy’s House in Alexandria, Egypt),[20] as well as other endeavors centered on arts and culture, including projects in the public space, like open-air exhibitions (at first in Athens and later in Ioannina),[21][22] creation or restoration of cultural spaces[23][24][25] and a series of large-scale artworks by Greek artists mainly in Athens Metropolitan Area.[26][27][28] Also, in 2020 Onassis Foundation undertook the costs of the new lighting design and construction and also other works in the Acropolis archaelogical site.[29][30]

Health

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In the fields of health, the Foundation donated the Onassio Cardiac Surgery Centre (OCSC) to Greece in 1992. Close to it, the Onassis National Transplant Centre (ONTC), is under construction and is expected to be delivered to the Greek State c. 2025.[31][32] In 2018, Onassis Foundation reconstructed the Melanoma and Skin Cancer Center at the Andreas Syngros Hospital in Athens.[33] Moreover, the Foundation provided financial support to organizations such as ELPIDA and the Hellenic Society for the Protection and Rehabilitation of Disabled Children (ELEPAP).[34][35] In 2020, it implemented donations related to the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Greece.[36]

Education

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In 1978, the Onassis Foundation launched scholarships for studies in Greece and abroad. Nowadays emphasis is given on fields such as robotics, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and bio-innovation.[37] The same year (1978) the Foundation established international awards, which were handed out to individuals and organizations in the fields of culture, social achievement and the environment. Since 2008 the awards were redesigned and expanded as the Onassis International Prize for Shipping, Trade, and Finance in partnership with Bayes Business School, University of London, and the City of London.[38][39][40]

Since 2010, the Onassis Foundation has implemented a series of educational programs for children, adolescents, schools, adults, and teachers, including creative music courses, digital applications, seminars, mixed dance lessons for people with and without disabilities etc.[41] Moreover, the Foundation has been organizing nationwide workshops and various educational activities for children with either motor difficulties or autism spectrum disorder (ASD).[42] Also the Foundation supports educational institutions (like universities, colleges and schools) in about 40 countries.[43]

References

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  1. ^ Ioannidis, Paul (2015). Destiny Prevails: My Life with Aristotle, Alexander, Christina Onassis and her daughter, Athina. New York: Significance Press-paperback or kindle edition. ISBN 978-0990757474.
  2. ^ "Αποχαιρετισμός στη Μερόπη Νίκου Κονιαλίδη" (in Greek). Kathimerini. 22 February 2012. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  3. ^ Bistika, Eleni (6 July 2005). "Αλλαγή σκυτάλης, με τα ίδια επώνυμα, στο Ιδρυμα Ωνάση" (in Greek). Kathimerini. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  4. ^ Bistika, Eleni (5 June 2010). "Αποχαιρετισμός λιτός στον Απόστολο Ζαμπέλα, στενό συνεργάτη του Ωνάση" (in Greek). Kathimerini. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  5. ^ Stefanos, Krikkis (14 November 2001). "Συμφωνία «οικονομικού» χαρακτήρα Γαβριηλίδη - Ρουσέλ" (in Greek). Ta Nea. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  6. ^ "Vaduz: The headquarters of the Onassis Foundation". onassis.org. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  7. ^ a b c Lewin, Tamar (23 October 2000). "Behind the Art Show". The New York Times. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  8. ^ "«Έφυγε» ο επίτιμος πρόεδρος του Iδρύματος Ωνάση" (in Greek). Ta Nea. 24 November 2005. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  9. ^ "Παπαδημητρίου Αντώνης". blod.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  10. ^ "Onassis USA Launches Online Series". American Theatre. Theatre Communications Group. 28 April 2020. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
  11. ^ Bistika, Eleni (5 December 2010). "Τα εγκαίνια της Στέγης Γραμμάτων και Τεχνών παρουσία του Προέδρου της Δημοκρατίας την Τρίτη 7 Δεκεμβρίου 2010…" (in Greek). Kathimerini. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  12. ^ "Εγκαίνια Στέγης Γραμμάτων και Τεχνών Ιδρύματος Ωνάση, Τρίτη 07/12/10" (in Greek). LiFO. 15 December 2010. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  13. ^ "A Beacon of Cultural Light". Greece Is. 16 December 2015. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  14. ^ Diakosavvas, Alexandros (7 June 2019). "Στέγη και LGBTQI+ κοινότητα: Είναι θέμα παιδείας, αλλά και ευτυχίας" (in Greek). LiFO. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  15. ^ Lewin, Tamar (23 October 2000). "Behind the Art Show". The New York Times. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  16. ^ Mandilara, Tina (22 August 2021). "Πολ Χόλντενγκραμπερ: Ο εξομολογητής της πανδημίας" (in Greek). LiFO. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  17. ^ "The Onassis Library for Hellenic and Roman Art". The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  18. ^ "Εγκαίνια της Βιβλιοθήκης του Εθνικού Αρχαιολογικού Μουσείου" (in Greek). Archaeology & Arts. 21 May 2008. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  19. ^ "Βιβλιοθήκη" (in Greek). Byzantine and Christian Museum. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  20. ^ "Greek President Inaugurates Cavafy's House in Alexandria". To Vima. 11 May 2024. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  21. ^ Daliaka, Anta (24 May 2022). "Plásmata: Bodies, Dreams, and Data - Έκθεση ψηφιακής τέχνης στο Πεδίον του Άρεως". digitalculture.gov.gr (in Greek). Culture Platform of gov.gr. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  22. ^ "You and AI". Kathimerini. 26 June 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  23. ^ "Το Ίδρυμα Ωνάση μας προσκαλεί στην πιο ιστορική "μάντρα" της Αθήνας" (in Greek). LiFO. 14 October 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  24. ^ Poulopoulou, Katerina (5 April 2022). "Το Ίδρυμα Ωνάση μετατρέπει ένα παλιό μηχανουργείο στου Ρέντη σε πολιτιστικό κέντρο [εικόνες]". iefimerida.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  25. ^ Anesti, Katerina (18 October 2021). "Η «Μάντρα», δίπλα στο Ίδρυμα Ωνάση, παίρνει ξανά ζωή με την drag περφόρμερ Imiterasu [εικόνες]". iefimerida.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  26. ^ "OnAthens: «Το Φιλί» του Ηλία Παπαηλιάκη θα ενώσει τους Αθηναίους" (in Greek). Athens Voice. 14 April 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  27. ^ "Μια ιδιαίτερη τοιχογραφία γίνεται "φωτεινό φυλαχτό" στην Πατησίων" (in Greek). News 24/7. 3 January 2024. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  28. ^ Kostouros, Vlassis (5 July 2022). "Αριστείδης Λάππας: «Η Αθήνα μπορεί να είναι το σπίτι όλων των διαφορετικών ανθρώπων»" (in Greek). Kathimerini. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  29. ^ Ioannidis, Sakis (3 June 2021). "Θέσεις στάθμευσης ΑμεΑ πέριξ της Ακρόπολης" (in Greek). Kathimerini. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  30. ^ Athanasiadou, Elena (30 September 2020). "Αποκαλύφθηκε ο νέος φωτισμός της Ακρόπολης". digitalculture.gov.gr (in Greek). Culture Platform of gov.gr. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  31. ^ "Ωνάσειο Εθνικό Μεταμοσχευτικό Κέντρο: Θεμέλιο ζωής" (in Greek). NewsIT. 9 December 2019. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  32. ^ "Γ. Μπολέτης, πρόεδρος Ωνασείου: Οι τομές για αύξηση μεταμοσχεύσεων στην Ελλάδα". Athens-Macedonian News Agency. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  33. ^ "New Melanoma and Skin Cancer Center at the Andreas Syngros Hospital". onassis.org. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  34. ^ "Ίδρυμα Ωνάση: Χορηγία 100.000 ευρώ στην ΕΛΕΠΑΠ στη μνήμη του Παύλου Ιωαννίδη". liberal.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  35. ^ Bistika, Eleni (5 May 2004). "Τη μηχανοργάνωση του Κέντρου της ΕΛΕΠΑΠ έκανε δωρεά το Ιδρυμα Ωνάση" (in Greek). Kathimerini. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  36. ^ "13,5 εκατομμύρια προστατευτικές μάσκες από το Ίδρυμα Ωνάση για τη θωράκιση του ιατρικού και νοσηλευτικού προσωπικού" (in Greek). Kathimerini. 31 March 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  37. ^ "Scholarships 2020-2021. Shaping the society of the future". onassis.org. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  38. ^ "Βραβεία Ωνάση: Οι διακριθέντες ακαδημαϊκοί σε ναυτιλία, διεθνές εμπόριο και χρηματοοικονομικά" (in Greek). Naftemporiki. 10 November 2023. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  39. ^ Pournara, Margarita (11 November 2023). "Απονεμήθηκαν στο Λονδίνο τα διεθνή βραβεία Ωνάση σε μια λαμπρή τελετή" (in Greek). Kathimerini. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  40. ^ "Στον καθηγητή του Πανεπιστημίου του Σικάγου Γιουτζίν Φάμα το πρώτο βραβείο Ωνάση" (in Greek). To Vima. 28 April 2009. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  41. ^ Paridis, Christos (21 October 2023). "Τα εκπαιδευτικά προγράμματα του Ιδρύματος Ωνάση για τη νέα σχολική χρονιά" (in Greek). LiFO. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  42. ^ "Εκπαιδευτικό πρόγραμμα «Boarding Pass στον Αυτισμό» του Ιδρύματος Ωνάση, υπό την επιστημονική αιγίδα του ΕΚΠΑ". hub.uoa.gr (in Greek). Hub of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. 22 February 2022. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  43. ^ Antonopoulos, Thodoris (27 July 2017). "Τα πάθη, οι λύπες και οι χαρές στην αρχαιότητα" (in Greek). LiFO. Retrieved 12 July 2024.

Further reading

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  • Χαρλαύτη, Τζελίνα, ed. (2023). Ιστορία των επιχειρήσεων Ωνάση (in Greek). Heraklion: Crete University Press. Alexander S. Onassis Foundation. Institute for Mediterranean Studies - Foundation for Research and Technology (FORTH). ISBN 978-960-524-918-2.
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