Pedoulas, Cyprus. Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou returned to Pedoulas on June 6 for his first visit in 16 years to the mountain village where his father, Loucas Haji-Ioannou, was born. The visit combined a personal return to his family roots with support for local community initiatives.
Return to family roots
The visit was described as a deeply personal return to a community closely linked to Sir Stelios’s childhood memories, family heritage and philanthropic work in Cyprus. Residents welcomed him and expressed appreciation for his long-standing support for Pedoulas and its people.
Visits to local institutions
During the trip, Sir Stelios visited several local landmarks and community initiatives. These included the Food from the Heart centre of the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation on Filoxenias Street in Pedoulas, which supports vulnerable families.
He also toured the Pedoulas Environmental Centre, which bears his name and promotes environmental awareness among younger generations. The visit further included stops at the Byzantine Museum and the historic Church of Archangel Michael, one of Cyprus’ UNESCO World Heritage monuments.
Ancestral home and local support
One of the most emotional moments of the visit came when Sir Stelios went to his ancestral family home, in what was described as a reminder of the people, stories and values that helped shape his journey.
During the visit, he made a financial contribution towards local needs and reaffirmed his commitment to supporting Pedoulas and society more widely.
Potential new initiative
“Giving back to society in a smart and meaningful way that creates lasting impact is both a responsibility and a privilege,” Sir Stelios said.
He also said he is exploring a major new philanthropic initiative for Cyprus, inspired by the €10 million programme he funded in Greece to support doctors serving remote islands.