Tag Archives: Union (enosis)

Memorial to the dead of October 1931 riots

Artist: Panayiotis Panayi Pasantas

Location: Grigoris Afxentiou St., Strovolos. Nicosia district

Material: Brass

Dimensions: 2.50 meters

Category: Union (énosis)

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

The initiative for the memorial was taken by an ad hoc private committee. The unveiling took place on November 3^rd 2007.

According to the competition call: “the wining proposal should highlight the sacrificial and fighting spirit, and the passion for freedom. It should express the authentic ideals of October 1931 that led to the spontaneous rebellion of the enslaved Greek Cypriots longing for freedom and official union with Greece”.

Panayiotis Panayi Pasantas in his submitted description notes that his male statue, with the clenched fist and the haughty look, stares to the future with optimism, pride and patriotism calling all Greek Cypriots to line with him, while its height and the surrounding architectural construction impose their presence, underlining these concepts.

Selected sources:
~ Αρχείο Συμβουλευτικής Επιτροπής Μνημείων Υπουργείου Παιδείας & Πολιτισμού (Advisory Monuments’ Committee) 14.3.01/4, July 14, 2002.
~ Αρχείο Συμβουλευτικής Επιτροπής Μνημείων Υπουργείου Παιδείας & Πολιτισμού (Advisory Monuments’ Committee) 14.3.01/6, document February 3, 2004.
~ Αρχείο Συμβουλευτικής Επιτροπής Μνημείων Υπουργείου Παιδείας & Πολιτισμού (Advisory Monuments’ Committee) 14.3.01/13, January 31, 2007.
~ Αρχείο Συμβουλευτικής Επιτροπής Μνημείων Υπουργείου Παιδείας & Πολιτισμού (Advisory Monuments’ Committee) 14.3.01/14, document June 19, 2007.

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Christodoulos Sozos (Χριστόδουλος Σώζος) bust

Artist: Georgios Dimitriadis

Location: Limassol Municipal Park, 28^th October street, Limassol. Limassol district

Material: Pentelic marble

Dimensions: > 2 meters

Category: Public Figures, War Volunteers, Union (énosis), Public sculpture before 1960

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

Sozos is a prominent personality of Cyprus’ modern history. He was Mayor of Limassol, member in the Legislative Council of Cyprus, and a keen advocate of énosis, the official union with Greece. He died at the Bizani battle in 1912 during the Balkan Wars.

The initiative for his bust was taken in 1914 by the Limassol Municipality and the unveiling took place on June 19^th 1915.

Selected sources:
~ Αλήθεια (Alithia), January 25, 1913, p. 2.
~ Αλήθεια (Alithia), February 1, 1913, p. 2.
~ Αλήθεια (Alithia), June 19, 1915, p. 2, 3.
~ Ελευθερία (Eleftheria), January 25, 1913, p. 2.
~ Ελευθερία (Eleftheria), May 29, 1915, p. 2.
~ Παγκύπριον Λεύκωμα (Pan Cypriot Album), 1^st year, Nicosia: 1925.
~ Papapolyviou Petros, Η Κύπρος και οι Βαλκανικοί Πόλεμοι. Συμβολή στην Ιστορία του Κυπριακού Εθελοντισμού (Cyprus and the Balkan Wars. Contribution to the History of Cypriot Volunteers). Nicosia: Center of Scientific Research, Sources and Studies of Cypriot History XXVI, 1997.
~ Savvidis Christakis, Περιδιαβάζοντας τη Λεμεσό (Strolling around Limassol). Limassol Municipality: 1991.

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Nikolaos Kl. Lanitis (Νικόλαος Κλ. Λανίτης) bust

Artist: Vasos Falireas

Location: Tsirion stadium, Limassol. Limassol district

Material: Marble

Dimensions: 141 cm x 50 cm x 36 cm

Category: War Volunteers, Public Figures, Union (énosis)

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

Nikolas Lanitis was a founding member of the athletic club ‘Olympia’, which he also supported financially, and volunteer in the early 20th century Greek wars. The initiative for the bust was taken by the Limassol gymnastic union “Olympia”. It was made in 1965 by the Greek sculptor Vasos Falireas and the unveiling took place on April 26^th 1965.

Selected sources:
~ Savvidis Christakis, Περιδιαβάζοντας τη Λεμεσό (Strolling around Limassol). Limassol Municipality: 1991.

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Andreas Themistokleous (Ανδρέας Θεμιστοκλέους) bust

Artist: Chrysostomos Perdios

Location: Agia Zoni square, Agia Zoni street, Limassol. Limassol district

Material: Carrara marble

Dimensions: 160 cm (+ 36 cm the two steps) x 46 cm x 36 cm

Category: Public Figures, Union (énosis), Public sculpture before 1960

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

Themistokleous had been the head of the Limassol high school and a fervent supporter of the enosis (union with Greece) ideology. The initiative for the bust was taken in 1957 by an ad hoc private committee, and the Limassol Municipality. The unveiling took place on November 1^st 1959.

Selected sources:
~ Παρατηρητής (Paratiritis), March 21, 1957, p. 4.
~ Παρατηρητής (Paratiritis), April 25, 1957, p. 1.
~ Παρατηρητής (Paratiritis), May 23, 1957, p. 1.
~ Παρατηρητής (Paratiritis), June 6, 1957, p. 1.
~ Χρόνος (Hronos), July 13, 1957, p. 4.
~ Savvidis Christakis, Περιδιαβάζοντας τη Λεμεσό (Strolling around Limassol). Limassol Municipality: 1991.

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Archbishop Sofronios III (Αρχιεπίσκοπος Σωφρόνιος Γ’) bust

Artist: Andreas Thymopoulos

Location: Saint John Cathedral, forecourt of the old Archbishopric Palace, Nicosia. Nicosia district

Material: Marble

Dimensions: ~3.5 meters

Category: Cypriot Church, Union (énosis), Public sculpture before 1960

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

The initiative for the bust was taken by the Archbishop’s relatives and the unveiling took place on December 13^th 1909.

Sofronios was known for his mild character, his realistic approach to the political situation in Cyprus and, consequently, his willingness to co-exist in peace with the British rulers of the island. However, this attitude of his caused discomfort among the Cypriots and was perceived as a compromise and a deficit of fighting spirit, in discordance to the Greek Cypriot ideals of official union (énosis) with Greece.

To counterbalance this impression, it was attributed to him the phrase written on the pedestal: “British rulers we accept for now your presence, eagerly waiting the time when the white robed liberty will shine at Evagoras’ glorious land” (Βρεττανοί στέργομεν τώρα την των Άγγλων κατοχήν αναμένοντες την ώρα μ’ ανυπόμονον ψυχήν που θα λάμψη λευκοφόρα η θεά μας λευθεριά στου λαμπρού μας Ευαγόρα την αφρόλουστη στεριά).

This phrase was supposedly addressed to the First British High Commissioner and Commander-in-Chief, Sir Garret Wolseley, when he arrived in Larnaka in 1878. However, according to historical sources this position, in general lines, was expressed by the Kition Bishop Kyprianos Ikonomidis who was attending the arrival ceremony. On the contrary Sofronios expressed to Sir Wolseley his wish for equal rights and duties, stating the Cypriots’ devotion to the new ruler.

Selected sources:
~ Filippou Loizos, Η Εκκλησία της Κύπρου επί Τουρκοκρατίας (Cypriot Church during the British rule), Nicosia 1975.
~ Hackett John, Ιστορία της Ορθοδόξου Εκκλησίας της Κύπρου (A history of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus: from the coming of the apostles Paul and Barnabas to the commencement of the British occupation), vol.1, Athens 1923.
~ Koudounaris Aristidis, Βιογραφικόν λεξικόν Κυπρίων 1800-1920 (Biographical dictionary of Cupriots 1800-1920), Nicosia 2010.
~ Zannetos Filios, Ιστορία της νήσου Κύπρου από της Αγγλικής κατοχής μέχρι σήμερον (History of Cyprus from the time of British rule till today), vol. 2 & 3. Larnaka 1911-1912
~ Αλήθεια (Alithia), January 1, 1910, p. 1.
~ Κυπριακός Φύλαξ (Kypriakos Filax), December 19, 1909. p. 1.

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Archbishop Kyprianos (Αρχιεπίσκοπος Κυπριανός) bust

Artist: Georgios Bonanos

Location: Saint John Cathedral, Nicosia. Nicosia district

Material: Pentelic marble

Dimensions: ~3.5 meters

Category: Cypriot Church, Union (énosis), Public sculpture before 1960

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

Archbishop Kyprianos was hanged on July 9^th 1821 in Nicosia with the accusation that Cypriots disobeyed the direct order of the Turkish Sultan to stay neutral from the Greek War of Independence.The event marked the beginning of a growing separation between the two cultural and religious communities of the island.

This bust is the first public artwork in Cyprus. It was commissioned by the Patriotic Association of Cypriots in Athens and the unveiling took place on July 9^th 1909. Although the bust was presented in 1901 at the Cypriot Exhibition in Athens, the unveiling was delayed for eight years due to the archbishopric crisis that broke out after the death of Archbishop Sofronios III in May 1900.

The Archbishopric seat remained vacant until April 1909 due to a turbulent dispute that emerged between the two successor candidates, the bishop of Kition Kyrillos Papadopoulos, known for his intransigence for énosis (union) and the bishop of Kyrenia Kyrillos Vassiliou, known for his moderate and realistic policy to the British administration. The eight years confrontation divided deeply the Cypriot society and massive riots and demonstrations took place in the major cities of the island. Eventually, the bishop of Kition was elected on April 21^st 1909, but his opponent recognized him as the Archbishop of Cyprus only in the beginning of 1910.

The rivals of Kition Bishop used Kyprianos’ name during aforementioned crisis to support their arguments. As a consequence the unveiling of his bust under those circumstances would become an additional source for tension and riots. Thereof, the unveiling took place three months after the election of Archbishop Kyrillos II from Kition Bishopric.

In 1961, after the construction of the new Archbishopric premises, the bust was removed and placed in the new Archbishopric yard. In 1987 it was moved again due to the colossal Archbishop Makarios III statue, and was placed in its current location, at the entrance of the courtyard.

The resemblance of the bust to the actual features of Kyprianos became a new reason of anxiety in the Cypriot society. The sculptor Bonanos had depicted Kyprianos’ features according to a portrait of him, kept at Machairas Monastery at Troodos Mountain. Nevertheless, many objected arguing that the lack of resemblance would raise issues of historical accuracy, artistic excellence and national ideology.

Selected sources:
~ Fragoudis S. Georgios, Ιστορία του Αρχιεπισκοπικού ζητήματος Κύπρου, 1900-1910 (History of the Archbishopric Issue of 1900-1910), Alexandria 1911.
~ Fragoudis S. Georgios. Κυπριακή έκθεσις εν Αθήναις 1901 (The 1901 Cypriot Exhibition in Athens), K. Kokkinofta, introduction. Nicosia, 2005.
~ Hill George, A History of Cyprus, v. IV, Cambridge 1972, pp. 577-606.
~ Katalanos Nikolaos, Κυπριακόν Λεύκωμα Ο Ζήνων (Cypriot Album Zinon), year 1^st, Nicosia 1914, p. 186.
~ Ελευθερία (Eleftheria), July, 31, 1909, p.1.
~ Φωνή της Κύπρου (Foni tis Kyprou), September 1, 1900.
~ Φωνή της Κύπρου (Foni tis Kyprou), July 31, 1909, p. 2.
~ Φωνή της Κύπρου (Foni tis Kyprou), August 21, 1909, p. 3.
~ Φωνή της Κύπρου (Foni tis Kyprou), September 25, 1909, p. 1.

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Mausoleum to the Cypriot national martyrs of July 9th 1821

Artist: Georgios Dimitriadis

Location: Panayia Phaneromeni Church, Nicosia. Nicosia district

Material: Marble

Category: Cypriot Church, Union (énosis), Public sculpture before 1960

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

The memorial was constructed to commemorate a hundred years since the foundation of the Modern Greek State.

Archbishop Kyprianos and three more Bishops were hanged on July 9^th 1821 in Nicosia with the accusation that Cypriots disobeyed the direct order of the Turkish Sultan to stay neutral from the Greek War of Independence.

The initiative for the memorial was taken by the Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus, the Kykkos Monastery, and the Panayia Phaneromeni Church. The unveiling took place on July 9^th 1930. The remains of Archbishop Kyprianos and the Bishops are kept in the mausoleum.

Georgios Dimitriadis the Athenian (1880-1941) was one of the most renowned Greek sculptors following the academic style in the beginning of the 20^th century. The mausoleum brings together all the symbols of Byzantine art and the aesthetic characteristics of ancient Greek. The head covering with a cloth symbolizes the mourning and its abstract conception here turns it into an ideogram of loss.

Selected sources:
~ Αλήθεια (Alithia), July, 10, 1930, p. 1.
~ Έθνος (Ethnos), May 29, 1930, p. 1.
~ Έθνος (Ethnos), June 28, 1930, p. 1.
~ Έθνος (Ethnos), July 12, 1930, p. 4.
~ Παρατηρητής (Paratiritis), June 1, 1929, p. 4.
~ Φωνή της Κύπρου (Foni tis Kyprou), April 26, 1930, p. 1.
~ Φωνή της Κύπρου (Foni tis Kyprou), July 5, 1930, p. 1.
~ Φωνή της Κύπρου (Foni tis Kyprou), July 12, 1930, p. 2.

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Nikolaos Katalanos (Νικόλαος Καταλάνος) bust

Artist: Ioannis Notaras

Location: Eleftherias square, Nicosia. Nicosia district

Material: Marble

Dimensions: > 2 meters

Category: Union (énosis), Public Figures, Public sculpture before 1960

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

Katalanos was Greek but lived in Cyprus for many years being a firm supporter of enosis (union) with Greece ideology. He was an educator, a journalist and a publicly active figure. The initiative for the bust was taken in 1954 by an ad hoc private committee of Katalanos’ colleagues and students from the Pan-Cypriot high school (Pankyprio Gymnasium).

The bust is standing on a tall, fluted column, upon on a square basis. Both were sculpted in Greece. Although they were finished by the end of 1955, their shipment to Cyprus was delayed notably, possibly because of the political upheavals due to EOKA 1955-59 struggles. The unveiling took place on September 25^th 1960 and became an occasion for nationalist celebrations.

Selected sources:
~ Kypros), May 24, 1954, p. 1.
~ Kypros), January 1, 1959, p. 4.
~ Haravgi, September 27, 1960, p. 2.
~ 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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Ioannis Vergopoulos (Ιωάννης Βεργόπουλος) bust

Artist: Andreas Thymopoulos

Location: Pankyprio high school, Nicosia. Nicosia district

Material: Marble

Dimensions: > 2 meters

Category: Public Figures, Union (énosis), Public sculpture before 1960

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

Ioannis Vergopoulos had been the main benefactor of the “Pankyprio Gymnasium” which was founded by Archbishop Kyprianos in 1812. It is the oldest high school in Cyprus and the initial name was “Greek School” until 1896. The initiative for his bust was taken in 1932 by the Pankyprio (Pan Cypriot) high school and the Greek Institutions of Nicosia Board. The unveiling took place on January 31^st 1934

Selected sources:
~ Έθνος (Ethnos), November 26, 1932, p. 4.
~ Πρωινή (Proini), November 11, 1932, p. 4.
~ Πρωινή (Proini), November 16, 1932, p. 3.
~ Πρωινή (Proini), January 8, 1933, p. 1.

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Dionysios Solomos (Διονύσιος Σολωμός) bust

Artist: Ioannis Notaras

Location: Dionysios Solomos square, Nicosia. Nicosia district

Material: Marble

Dimensions: 3.50 meters approx.

Category: Public Figures, Union (énosis), Public art before 1960

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

Solomos (1798-1857) is regarded as the national Greek poet. His poems are constantly referring to the aspired freedom of the enslaved Greek nation and to the Greek War of Independence (1821). One of his poems, the “Hymn to Liberty” written in 1823 became the Greek national anthem in 1865. Solomos is considered as the Cypriot national poet, too, as, officially since 1966 Cyprus shares the same national anthem with Greece.

The initiative for the bust was taken by the Hellenic Intellectual Association of Cyprus (ΕΠΟΚ/EPOK), which coordinated the fundraising. The bust was placed at Ipirou square, on one of the entrances to the old city of Nicosia, and the unveiling took place on June 20^th 1954. Over the years and because of the monument’s presence, the square became known as Solomos square. On November 4^th 2011 the square underwent an extensive renovation and was officially renamed as Solomos square.

The bust is standing on a tall slender, fluted column, upon a round basis. In front of it and on dark marble panels inserted in the pavement, are engraved Solomos’ verses.

The timing of the unveiling, at the very beginning of the official EOKA struggle, created an opportunity for national fervor in support of the énosis (union) ideology.

Selected sources:
~ Ελευθερία (Eleftheria), March 12, 1954, p. 2.
~ Έθνος (Ethnos), May 7, 1952, p. 2.
~ Έθνος (Ethnos), April 1, 1954, p. 2.
~ Έθνος (Ethnos), April 15, 1954, p. 1.
~ Έθνος (Ethnos), June 22, 1954, p. 1.
~ Φιλελεύθερος (Fileleftheros), October 12, 2011.
~ Αρχείο Δήμου Λευκωσίας (Nicosia Municipality Archive), 06-7.18, document October 29, 2008; Meeting Minutes, November 4, 2008.
~ Αρχείο Δήμου Λευκωσίας (Nicosia Municipality Archive), 06-7.19, Meeting Minutes February 19, 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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Onoufrios Kliridis (Ονούφριος Κληρίδης) bust

Artist: Unknown

Location: Agios Theodoros. Limassol district

Material: Marble

Category: Union (énosis)

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

Onoufrios Kliridis was the first death during the October 1931 conflicts. The initiative for his bust was taken by Agios Theodoros Agrou friends association, and it was placed in 1992.

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Filios Zannetos (Φίλιος Ζαννέτος) bust

Artist: Ioannis Notaras

Location: Griva Digeni Avenue, in front of Agios Georgios Kontos monastery, Larnaka. Larnaka district.

Material: Marble

Category: Union (enosis), Public Figures, Public sculpture before 1960

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

Zannetos was a politician and a fervent supporter of ‘enosis’ (union) with Greece ideology. The bust was commissioned by Kition monastery and the committee of Agios Georgios Kontos monastery. The unveiling took place on May 30^th 1954.

Selected sources:
~Ανεξάρτητος (Anexartitos), May 31, 1954, p. 1
~Έθνος (Ethnos), May 11, 1954, p. 4
~Έθνος (Ethnos), June 1, 1954, p. 4.
~Ελευθερία (Eleftheria), June 1, 1954, p. 1.
~Ελευθερία (Eleftheria), June 3, 1954, p. 2.
~Κύπρος (Kypros), May 31, 1954, p. 1.

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General Kimon the Athenian (Κίμων ο Αθηναίος) bust

Artist: Giorgos Alexandropoulos

Location: On the Larnaka Finikoudes beach walk, Athinon Avenue. Larnaka district.

Material: Pentelic marble

Dimensions: 3.80 meter high

Category: Union (enosis), Ancient Greek and Byzantine legacy, Public sculpture before 1960

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

Kimon (510-449 B.C.) was a General and politician from Athens. In 450 B.C. he headed towards Cyprus with the aim to liberate it from the Persians and restore Athens’ sovereignty in Aegean Sea. He died during the siege of Kition but had ordered his co-fighters to keep his death secret, which they indeed managed, for a good thirty days. During that time the Athenians won the naval and infantry battle at Salamina, Cyprus, on their way back to Athens.

In addition to the direct connection with Ancient Greek legacy, Kimon’s bust raises another implication, based on the short note on the pedestal. The phrase “Even dead he would win” («Και νεκρός ενίκα») reminds of the historical facts, but also calls upon bravery, heroic patterns and suggests (in many levels) the power both of symbols and the ancestral memory.

The bust was commissioned by Kition community in 1923. The unveiling took place on April 27^th 1927. The bust was replaced in the beginning of the 1990s and the new unveiling took place on October 25^th 1994.

Selected sources:
~Αλήθεια (Alithia), September 27, 1994.
~Απογευματινή (Apogevmatini), January 26, 1994.
~Νέον Έθνος (Neon Ethnos), June 16, 1921, p. 2.
~Νέον Έθνος (Neon Ethnos), December 1, 1923, p. 2.
~Πρωινά Νέα (Proina Nea), October 3, 1992.
~Σημερινή (Simerini), October 6, 1992.
~Φιλελεύθερος (Fileleftheros), March 17, 2002, p. 56, 57.

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Nikodimos Mylonas Bishop of Kition (Μητροπολίτης Κιτίου Νικόδημος Μυλωνάς) bust

Artist: Antonis Sohos

Location: Outside the premises of the Diocese of Kition. Larnaka district.

Material: Pentelic marble

Dimensions: ~2 meters

Category: Union (enosis), Cypriot Church, Public sculpture before 1960

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

The bust was commissioned in 1950 by the Diocese of Kition. The Bishop’s bust is located along with the Bishop’s Meletios Metaxakis at the entrance of the Diocese. The unveiling took place on October 19^th 1952.

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Meletios Metaxakis, Bishop of Kition (Μητροπολίτης Κιτίου Μελέτιος Μεταξάκης) bust

Artist: Marios Garyfalakis

Location: Outside the premises of the Diocese of Kition. Larnaka district.

Material: Pentelic marble

Dimensions: ~2 meters

Category: Union (enosis), Cypriot Church

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

Bishop Meletios Metaxakis later became an Ecumenical Patriarch. His bust is located along with Bishop Nikodimos Mylonas’ at the entrance of the Diocese. It was commissioned in 1967 by the Diocese of Kition.

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Christodoulos Galatopoulos (Χριστόδουλος Γαλατόπουλος) bust

Artist: Nikos Sofialakis

Location: Georgios Grivas Digenis Avenue, opposite the high school,

Pafos Municipality. Pafos district.

Material: Marble

Dimensions: 123 cm x 50 cm x 35 cm

Category: Public Figures, Union (enosis)

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

Christodoulos Galatopoulos was a politician, Mayor of Pafos Municipality and a fervent advocate of the enosis (union) with Greece ideology. His bust was commissioned in 1963 by an ad hoc private committee for Christodoulos Galatopoulos bust. The unveiling took place on May 28^th 1967.

Selected sources:
~ Φιλελεύθερος (Fileleftheros), February 23, 1963, p. 5.
~ Φιλελεύθερος (Fileleftheros), April 13, 1963, p. 8.
~ Μάχη (Mahi), March 15, 1963, p. 5.
~ Μάχη (Mahi), May 25, 1967, p. 8.

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