Ioanna Papantoniou

Ioanna Papantoniou (; 7 January 1936 – 25 February 2026) was a Greek author, scenic designer, costume designer and folklorist. She was the founder and president of the Peloponnesian Folklore Foundation in Nafplio, winner of the 1981 European Museum of the Year Award.

Life and career

Early life Papantoniou was born in Athens on 7 January 1936. Her father was Vasilios Papantoniou, one of Kyknos Canning Company owners while her mother was descendant of a wealthy family.

From 1956 until the 1980s, Papantoniou carried an extensive fieldwork throughout Greece, Cyprus, and the Griko communities of Italy, gathering data and documents about the traditional culture, music, and dance and also about the preindustrial technology and old-fashioned children's games. She is also the author of several publications about the Greek local costumes and fashion.

Peloponnesian Folklore Foundation In 1974, Papantoniou founded the Peloponnesian Folklore Foundation, a nonprofit cultural institution and museum based in Nafplion, in memory of her father Vasilios Papantoniou. For the needs of the institution, she donated to PFF almost her entire property, including her personal folklore collection. In 1981, PFF was awarded the European Museum of the Year Award.

Death Papantoniou died on 25 February 2026, at the age of 90.

Awards and honours In 1982, Papantoniou was honoured by the National Academy of Athens for her contribution in arts and theatre. In 2013, she was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the European Museum Academy.