Category Archives: Workers’ Movement

Memorial to the Cyprus Workers Confederation

Γλυπτό ΣΕΚ (1)n Γλυπτό ΣΕΚ (8)n

Artist: Philippos Yiapanis 

Location: Cypriot Workers Confederation (SEK) premises, Strovolos Avenue.    Nicosia district 

Category: Workers’ movement

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

The monument was commissioned by the Cypriot Workers Confederation (SEK). The unveiling took place on January 25th 2003. 

Although the monument claims to celebrate a workers’ victory, the broken chain and the torch between the two figures bears direct implications to the national victories. Whatever the celebration is, the overflowing sentiment here is illustrated through the intense diagonal lines of the male and the female bodies, the stretching of her limbs and the playful mood of the child. In contrast to the norm, this woman is the only one depicted in public sculpture in Cyprus, along with Eleni Siakola, to wear ordinary modern clothes and thus appears part of a contemporary community. 

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Monument to the Working Class Heroes

Μνημείο Πεσόντων Εργατικής Τάξης (ΠΕΟ) (1)n Μνημείο Πεσόντων Εργατικής Τάξης (ΠΕΟ) (2)n

Artist: Leonidas Spanos 

Location: 29 Archermou Street, Pan Cypriot Federation of Labour (PEO) premises, Nicosia. Nicosia district

Category: Workers’ movement

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

The initiative for the monument was taken by the Pan Cypriot Federation of Labour (PEO). The unveiling took place on November 3rd 1991. 

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Markos Drakos (Μάρκος Δράκος) statue

Μάρκος Δράκος (2)n

Artist: Andreas Savvides

Location: Markos Drakos square, opposite the Paphos Gate, Nicosia. Nicosia district

Material: Brass

Dimensions: 2.10 meters (the statue)

Category: ΕΟΚΑ 1955-59, Workers’ movement

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

The initiative for the memorial was taken in 1962 by the Cypriot Workers Confederation (SEK) who coordinated the fundraising. The unveiling took place on October 28th 1962. The 28th of October is a National holiday for Greece, known also as the “Ohi” (Όχι, No) day, and commemorates the start of the World War II for Greece, when it rejected the Benito Mussolini’ ultimatum demanding access to Greek territory.

Markos Drakos was an active member of the Workers Confederation and a fervent EOKA fighter. On the marble pedestal is written the familiar dictum: “freedom requires morals and boldness” (Θέλει αρετήν και τόλμην η ελευθερία). A year later, in December 1963 a bomb was thrown by unknown citizens and caused extensive damage to the monument. Possibly during the restoration works the statue was placed on its pedestal in a changed orientation, overlooking the southeast part of the city.

Selected sources:
~ Αλήθεια (Alithia), October 29, 1962, p. 1, 6.
~ Θάρρος (Tharos), October 29, 1962, p. 6.
~ Μάχη (Mahi), October 28, 1962, p. 1, 8.
~ Μάχη (Mahi), December 6, 1963, p. 6.
~ Χαραυγή (Haravgi), July 28, 1971, p. 2.
~ Χαραυγή (Haravgi), December 5, 1963, p. 1, 6.
~ Φιλελεύθερος (Fileleftheros), September 6, 1961, p. 6.
~ Ιστορικό Αρχείο ΣΙΜΑΕ (Historical Archive of the Board for the Historical Memory of the EOKA 1955-59 struggle), 17.2009.10, document April 16, 2009; Meeting Minutes May 7, 2009.
~ Matthopoulou, Evangelia. 2012. «Μνημεία, Προτομές και Ανδριάντες στο Δήμο Λευκωσίας» (“Monuments, busts and statues in Nicosia Municipality”), Φιλολογική Κύπρος 2009-2011 (Philoloyiki Kypros 2009-2011), Nicosia: Hellenic Intellectual Association of Cyprus.

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