Efrosyni Proestou (Ευφροσύνη Προεστού) bust

Ευφροσύνη Προεστού (1)n Ευφροσύνη Προεστού (5)n

Artist: Charis Evaggelou 

Location: Markos Drakos Street, Ledra Pallas barricade, Nicosia. Nicosia district

Material: Bronze

Dimensions: 136 cm x 45 cm x 45 cm 

Category: Turkish Invasion, Cypriot Women 

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

Efrosyni Proestou was also called “The Lady of Lapithos”, because of her daring decision to hide (and thus save) twelve Greek Cypriot soldiers. They found a shelter close to her house in Lapithos village for a whole month, during and after the Turkish invasion. Proestou was imprisoned and risked the death penalty for her action.

In the Greek traditional family and society, calling a woman “Kyrá” (lady) is a title of honor which insinuates moral value and implies deeds complying with the patriarchal perception of women’s identities. 

The initiative for the memorial was taken by the Lapithos Municipality, the “Lapithos” Refugee Association  and the twelve soldiers. The latter covered the total cost. Lapithos is in the occupied part of Cyprus, but still elects its authorities in the Greek Cypriot, southern part, as all occupied municipalities and communities do. The unveiling of the memorial took place on September 25th 2002.

Selected sources:
~ Φιλελεύθερος (Fileleftheros), September 24, 2002, p. 4.
~ Αρχείο Συμβουλευτικής Επιτροπής Μνημείων Υπουργείου Παιδείας & Πολιτισμού (Advisory Monuments’ Committee) 14.3.01/3, document April 14, 2002.
~ Αρχείο Συμβουλευτικής Επιτροπής Μνημείων Υπουργείου Παιδείας & Πολιτισμού (Advisory Monuments’ Committee) 14.3.01/7, document July 8, 2004.
~ Κρατικό Αρχείο Κύπρου, Αρχείο Πολιτιστικών Υπηρεσιών Υπουργείου Παιδείας & Πολιτισμού (State Archive of Cyprus): 268/1968/20, Meetings Minutes November 19, 1999; January 19, 2000. 
~ Αρχείο Δήμου Λευκωσίας (Nicosia Municipality Archive), 06-7.10, documents September 27, 1999; November 2, 1999. 
~ Αρχείο Δήμου Λευκωσίας (Nicosia Municipality Archive), 06-7.11, document April 4, 2000; Meetings Minutes March 31, 2000; April 6, 2000. 
~ Αρχείο Δήμου Λευκωσίας (Nicosia Municipality Archive), 06-7.12, documents March 13, 2001; December 17, 2001; April 10, 2002; Meetings Minutes June 21, 2000; April 8, 2002.

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