Tag Archives: Achna (Άχνα)

Fotis Pittas (Φώτης Πίττας) bust

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Artist: Charis Evaghelou 

Location: Fotis Pittas elementary school, Achna. Ammochostos district.

Dimensions (of the bust): 93 cm x 50 cm x 64 cm

Category: EOKA 1955-59

Photography: Vicky Karaiskou

The bust was concluded in 2001 and the unveiling of the monument took place on May 18th 2001. On the right-hand side page of the open notebook behind Pittas, is noted his phrase “Every fighter is a free person” (Ο κάθε αγωνιζόμενος είναι και ελεύθερος), while on the left-hand side page a poem-style short text of his is dedicated to the beauty and glory of Cyprus.

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Yiasoumis K. Theodosiou (Γιασουμής Κ. Θεοδοσίου) bust

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Artist: Charis Evaggelou 

Location: Achna village square. Ammochostos district. 

Material: 117 cm x 118~140 cm

Category: EOKA 1955-59

Photography: Vicky Karaiskou

The construction of the monument was commissioned by the Private committee for Yiasoumis Theodosiou memorial, the nationalist Achna Union and the Cooperative Bank of Achna. The bust finished in 1999 and the unveiling of the monument took place in 2000.

Although the Advisory Monuments’ Committee strongly suggested a different spot for the memorial within the village square – due to its close neighboring with the church-like cement tent – it failed to persuade both the private committee and the nationalist Achna Union. The main reason the committee and the union insisted was because they wished the monument to be placed in visual contact with the “Yiasoumis association” building. The final location was the choice of the Private committee for Yiasoumis Theodosiou memorial and the nationalist Achna Union.   

For accuracy reasons it is noted that on the official documents the family name of the hero is written as Chatzitheodosiou (Χ’’Θεοδοσίου) – where X’’ is an abbreviation of Chatzi – while on the pedestal the «Θεοδοσίου» (Theodosiou) version is used.

Selected sources:
~ Αρχείο Συμβουλευτικής Επιτροπής Μνημείων Υπουργείου Παιδείας & Πολιτισμού (Advisory Monuments’ Committee) 14.3.01/2, Meeting Minutes September 21, 2001.
~ Αρχείο Συμβουλευτικής Επιτροπής Μνημείων Υπουργείου Παιδείας & Πολιτισμού (Advisory Monuments’ Committee) 14.3.01/13, Meeting Minutes June 25, 2002.

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Church-like tent memorial

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Artist: Michlis Pambos

LocationAchna village square. Ammochostos district.

MaterialReinforced concrete

CategoryTurkish invasion 

PhotographyVicky Karaiskou

In 2001, the discussions for a monument dedicated to the refugees from Achna village was already ongoing between the Community’s Committee and the artist, Pampos Mihlis, who had submitted a proposal loaded with symbolisms. 

The monument, in the form of a church-like tent, was built within the main square of the new village, at the same spot where the refugees of the nearby Achna village camped in 1974 after the Turkish invasion of the village. 

According to Pampos Mihlis, the birds symbolize hope for freedom and the regaining of human values; the sleeping child is an allegory of the unknown future; and the photographs in the women’s hands underline the virtue of Memory. Although the initial artistic proposal seems to have undergone a series of changes, the main idea and the aforementioned symbolisms were maintained. 

In the entrance the female figures are depicted as fragmented, spectral shapes that give an impression of dead souls. Their rather abstract representations contrast with the realistic depictions of the two women sharing their anguish, exhaustion and despair inside the chapel. These mothers bear strong visual affinities with the black and white photographs that became familiar through international press, documenting the Cypriot refugees after the 1974 invasion. 

Selected sources
~ Αρχείο Συμβουλευτικής Επιτροπής Μνημείων Υπουργείου Παιδείας & Πολιτισμού (Advisory Monuments’ Committee), 14.3.01-2, document September 21, 2001.
~ Αρχείο Συμβουλευτικής Επιτροπής Μνημείων Υπουργείου Παιδείας & Πολιτισμού (Advisory Monuments’ Committee), 14.3.01-4, document June 25, 2002.
~ Αρχείο Συμβουλευτικής Επιτροπής Μνημείων Υπουργείου Παιδείας & Πολιτισμού (Advisory Monuments’ Committee), 14.3.01-13, document September 20, 2001.

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