Hommes et femmes d'Epire, ils ont ete un modele d'amour desinteresse de la patrie et sont porteurs de vertus rares, et cela a un point reellement etonnant. L'element caracteristique de leur contribution a la culture grecque, d'une part, et de leur apport dans les heures difficiles vecues par la nation, d'autre part, a ete l'absence d'ostentation, prouvee par leur predilection pour l'anonymat. C'est ce qui explique que la plupart de leurs oeuvres sont restees dans l'histoire comme des realisations de createurs aussi exceptionnels qu'inconnus. J'espere que ce livre aura su mettre en evidence l'apport enorme, par sa portee et sa qualite, des Epirotes a la societe.

Men and women of Epirus were and still are a model of disinterested patriotism and communal values, as well as practitioners of rare skills to a truly remarkable extent. The main feature of their contribution to Greek culture, on the one hand, and their impact in difficult times of the nation, on the other, has been their low profile, entirely without self-interest, demon¬strated by the preference for remaining anonymous. Therefore, most of their works have remained in history as accomplishments of wonderful, although unknown, creators. It is our hope that that this book, by reason of its scope and quality, will unveil the great contribution of the Epirots to the society.