Archbishop Makarios III (Αρχιεπίσκοπος Μακάριος Γ’) statue

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Old location

Ανδριάντας Αρχ. Μακαρίου Γ' Θρονί (5)n 

Artist: Nikolaos Kotziamanis 

Location: Kykkos-Throni area, Panayia Kykkos monastery. Nicosia district

Material: Bronze 

Dimensions: 9.5 x 4.3 x 5.5 meters 

Category: Cypriot Church, Public Figures, EOKA 1955-59

Photography: Adrienne Christiansen & Evangelia Matthopoulou

This oversized statue of Makarios III is also known as “Colossus” or (unofficially) as “BigMac”. Although Kotziamanis was already working on the models in 1979, the whole construction took a long time in preparation and its placement in the Archbishopric yard, in the old city of Nicosia, happened only on July 24th 1987. The initiative for the statue was taken by Archbishop Chrisostomos I, who apparently acted contrary to the wishes of Nicosia Municipality authorities. The statue was supposed to symbolize “the fights for freedom and justice to the citizens of Cyprus; to become inspiration and guidance for the generations to come, so that they continue his work” 

Because “Colossus” location required the displacement and relocation of Archbishop Kyprianos’ bust within the Archbishopric yard, and possibly because of the unavoidable political connotations the statue’s extraordinary size raised, this specific Makarios monument ignited intense controversial debates and extensive press reports. Due to the tension created the initially programmed unveiling for August 3rd was postponed, and eventually cancelled. 

An alternative proposal for the statue to be relocated at Throni area, where Makarios III is buried, was already on the table in the beginning of August 1987. The relocation took place only after Chrisostomos II, the new Archbishop, reopened the issue in 2007. The unveiling at the current location took place on August 3rd 2013. 

The old location images are available here courtesy of Dr. Adrienne Christiansen. 

Selected sources:
~ Αλήθεια (Alithia), July 13, 1987.
~ Αλήθεια (Alithia), July 17, 1987.
~ Αλήθεια (Alithia), September 9, 1987.
~ Επίκαιρη (Epikeri), July 25, 1987.
~ Κήρυκας (Kirykas), July 12, 1987, p. 3.
~ Σημερινή (Simerini), July 11, 1987.
~ Σημερινή (Simerini), July 12, 1987.
~ Σημερινή (Simerini), July 14, 1987.
~ Σημερινή (Simerini), July 16, 1987.
~ Σημερινή (Simerini), July 25, 1987.
~ Χαραυγή (Haravgi), April 20, 1979, p. 2.
~ Φιλελεύθερος (Fileleftheros), April 21, 1979, p. 3.
~ Φιλελεύθερος (Fileleftheros), 27 July, 1987, p. 13.
~ Φιλελεύθερος (Fileleftheros), July 30, 1987, p. 2.
~ Αρχείο Δήμου Λευκωσίας (Nicosia Municipality Archive), 06-7.1, document February 10, 1981; Meeting Minutes March 23, 1981;
~ Αρχείο Δήμου Λευκωσίας (Nicosia Municipality Archive), 06-7.2, document July 24, 1987.
~ Αρχείο Δήμου Λευκωσίας (Nicosia Municipality Archive), 06-7.3, documents July 11, 1987; August 27, 1987. August 31, 1987; September 1, 1987; September 7, 1987; September 22, 1987; September 29, 1987.
~ Αρχείο Δήμου Λευκωσίας (Nicosia Municipality Archive), 06-7.5, Meeting Minutes July 22, 1987; September 24, 1987.

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