ELENI VASSOU (Ελίνα-Σταυρούλα Αλαφογιάννη)

Eleni Vassou played a significant role during the Greek revolution of 1821, yet she remains quite unknown to the majority of the population.  She was born in Epirus somewhat around the first years of the 19th century. After her family was pursued, Eleni decided to go to Kea, where she stayed up until she reached adulthood. In the meantime, she met general Vasos Mavrovouniotis, who was planning to go to Syria but instead fell in love with her. Unfortunately, even though they had mutual feelings for each other, their parents didn’t allow a potential marriage. In reaction to that, he «kidnapped» her, ran away to Andros and then locked her inside the historic tower of Giannoulis. He also had patrol in order to guard her. She stayed there for quite a few months, before Vasos came back from Beirut in 1826, to take her and transfer her to Piraeus.

While her beloved was fighting in battles, she was both a nurse and secretary. She helped him to end the siege in Karistos and also kept account of his correspondence with Kioutahis. She was his main adviser in all the important negotiations.

When the revolution ended, Eleni was staying in Salamina, from where she contended against Ioannis Kapodistrias, because she supported another Russian-inspired policy. That turned her house into a center for those who supported the opposition party.

During Oto’s reign, Eleni Vassou moved in Athens with her husband, where she became one of the finest ladies of her time. She stood out for her beauty, brightness and glorious morale. She also became an inspiration for many poets.

She died of old age, leaving many offspring and two of them followed in their father’s footsteps.

Ελίνα – Σταυρούλα Αλαφογιάννη

*Το άρθρο αυτό είναι εργασία της Ελίνας – Σταυρούλας Αλαφογιάννη για τους ήρωες και τις ηρωίδες του ΄21 στο πλαίσιο του μαθήματος των Αγγλικών. Ευχαριστούμε τόσο τη μαθήτρια όσο και την καθηγήτρια, κα Έφη Σαμαρά, που το επιμελήθηκε.