Artist: Theodoulos Gregoriou
Location: 6 Deligiorgi St., Audit Office of the Republic of Cyprus building, Nicosia. Nicosia district
Category: Modern sculpture
Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou
The artwork was placed at the entrance of the building in 2007. It was commissioned by the Audit Office following the 1992 state law which requires all state entities to invest 1% of their annual budget in artworks which will be placed in their premises.
Keywords:
Genti Tavanxhiu Beata Rostas
Christos Lianitis George Moisi
Xavier Gonzales Petre Petrov
Beatriz Carbonell Ferrer Arne Maeland
Sculpture Symposium in Nicosia
4-16 April 2011
The symposium was organised by The Friends of Fine Arts and Nicosia Municipality, and was funded by the Ministry of Education. Ten sculptors participated from all over Europe:
Agnessa Petrova and Petre Petrov from Bulgaria, Arlindo Arez from Portugal, Arne Maeland from Norway, Beatriz Carbonell from Spain, Beata Rostas from Hungary, Genti Tavanxhiu from Albania, Xavier Gonzalez from France and George Moisi and Christos Lanitis from Cyprus. The sculptors participated after submitting their proposal to the organizing committee. All of them worked with a piece of at least 2 cubic meters local Cypriot stone. All the works are titled as “Untitled”.
After the conclusion of the symposium most of the artworks were located in various parts of Nicosia city. Nicosia Municipality plans the construction of a sculpture park, possibly in part of the ditch outside the Venetian walls of the old city.
Artist & location in the city:
Arne Maeland: Crossroads Kennedy and Archbishop Makarios III Avenues.Nicosia
Beata Rostas: Archbishop Makarios III Avenue, opposite Hilton hotel, Nicosia
Beatriz Carbonell Ferrer: 34 Demostheni Severi Avenue, in front of the Embassy of France building, Nicosia
Genti Tavanxhiu: Archbishop Makarios III Avenue, Kaimakli area, Nicosia
Petre Petrov: Presidential Palace Avenue, Nicosia
Xavier Gonzalez: Agiou Andrea Avenue, in front of Evaggelistria Church, Palouriotissa area, Nicosia
Christos Lanitis: Crossroads Nikis and Griva Digeni Avenues, Nicosia
Keywords:
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 13th 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.
Keywords:
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 9th 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 9th 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 21st 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 1st, 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.
Keywords:
Artist: Apostolos Fanakidis
Location: Forecourt of the Archbishopric Palace, Nicosia. Nicosia district
Material: Marble
Category: Cypriot Church, EOKA 1955-59, Public Figures
Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou
The statue was commissioned in 2008 by the Archbishopric of Cyprus. The unveiling took place on May 29th 2011.
Keywords:
Artist: Heinrich Brumack
Location: Ammochostos Gate, Nicosia. Nicosia district
Category: Modern sculpture
Photography: Adrienne Christiansen
The artwork was donated to the Nicosia Municipality in 1986.
Keywords:
Artist: Aggelika Korovessi
Location: Phaneromeni elementary school, old city of Nicosia. Nicosia district
Material: Brass
Category: ΕΟΚΑ 1955-59, Cypriot Women
Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou
The initiative for the memorial was taken, among others, by the politicians Tassos Papadopoulos and Manolis Christofidis. The unveiling took place on July 12th 1996. An ad hoc private committee called an artistic competition and coordinated the fundraising. The competition gave no satisfactory results and as a consequence an invitation was made directly to the sculptor Aggelika Korovesi.
The bust is situated at the Faneromeni elementary school because Kokkinou herself attended this school, and, subsequently, taught there. In contrast to the norm, this bust symbolically depicts the hands of the commemorated person, in an attempt to insinuate her personality and her activity both as a teacher and as a patriot. Kokkinou was coordinating the female division of the Orthodox Christian Youth Union (OXEN) and during the 1950s she recruited many young Cypriot girls to the EOKA fight.
An inscription between her hands writes: “I fight to honor my national dignity” (Αγωνίζομαι για να κρατώ ψηλά την εθνική μου αξιοπρέπεια). A second inscription was added after the inauguration, narrating in a more descriptive way her social identity: “The first woman theologian in Cyprus. She was always at the forefront. She recruited, coordinated and inspired fighters for freedom. She fought, she got imprisoned and persecuted. She taught with her words and actions” (Πρώτη γυναίκα θεολόγος της Κύπρου. Ήταν πάντα στις επάλξεις. Στρατολόγησε, οργάνωσε και ενέπνευσε αγωνιστές της ελευθερίας. Αγωνίστηκε, φυλακίστηκε, διώχθηκε. Δίδαξε με το λόγο και το παράδειγμά της).
Selected sources:
~ Αγών (Agon), February 5, 1995, p. 7.
~ Αλήθεια (Alithia), February 6, 1995, p. 3.
~ Σημερινή (Simerini), December 5, 1994, p. 4.
~ Σημερινή (Simerini), February 5, 1995, p. 22.
~ Φιλελεύθερος (Fileleftheros), February 2, 1995, p. 4.
~ Χαραυγή (Haravgi), February 6, 1995, p. 5.
~ Αρχείο Δήμου Λευκωσίας (Nicosia Municipality Archive), 06-7.9, documents June 3, 1994; June 13, 1994; June 27, 1994; September 15, 1994; February 2, 1995; May 28, 1996; June 17, 1996; Meeting Minutes July 1, 1996.
Keywords:
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 9th 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 9th 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 20th 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.
Keywords:
Artist: Unknown
Location: Michalakis Karaolis street, Nicosia. Nicosia district
Category: Public Figures
Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou
Konstantinos Leventis was a benefactor. No further information is available on the monument.
Keywords:
Artist: Andreas Savvides
Location: Stasinou Avenue, Nicosia Municipality Children’s park. Nicosia district
Material: Bronze
Dimensions: > 2 meters
Category: The Committee for the Restoration of Democracy in Greece (ΕΑΔΕ/EADE)
Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou
Georgios Tsikouris died in 1970 during his attempt to set off a bomb at the American Embassy in Athens, as a protest to its presumed collaboration with the Greek junta. The initiative for the bust was taken by “The Committee for the Restoration of Democracy in Greece” (ΕΑΔΕ/EADE) which coordinated the fundraising, too. The unveiling took place on February 28th 1982.
Selected sources:
~ Απογευματινή (Apogevmatini), September 4, 1995.
~Φιλελεύθερος (Fileleftheros), October 25, 1979, p. 10.
~ Φιλελεύθερος (Fileleftheros), September 3, 1988, p. 4.
~ 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.
Keywords:
Artist: Leonidas Spanos
Location: “Stelios Mavromatis” union premises, Agios Pavlos, Nicosia, Nicosia district.
Dimensions: 190 (+29 cm the step) x 92 cm x 46 cm
Category: EOKA 1955-59
Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou
The initiative for the bust was taken in the 1960s by the “Stelios Mavromatis” union. No further information is available.
On the pedestal is written: “If freedom reached Cyprus with her wings broken, it is not your fault. Yours were the gallows and the manliness” (Κι αν με σπασμένες φτερούγες ήρθε στην Κύπρο η λευτεριά, δικό σου δεν είναι το φταίξιμο. Δική σου είναι η αγχόνη κι η λεβεντιά δική σου).
On the wall behind him in golden letters the familiar statement appears again “Freedom demands virtue and courage” (Θέλει αρετήν και τόλμην η ελευθερία).
Keywords:
Artist: Leonidas Spanos
Location: Chrysaliniotissa Municipal Garden, Nicosia. Nicosia district
Material: Marble
Dimensions: 150 cm x 49 cm x 50 cm
Category: ΕΟΚΑ 1955-59
Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou
The initiative for the bust was taken by the Yialousa Association, the birth place of the Stylianidis, which is in the occupied Ammochostos distrist of Cyprus. The unveiling took place on November 29th 2009.
Selected sources:
~ Αρχείο Δήμου Λευκωσίας (Nicosia Municipality Archive), 6-7.18, Meeting Minutes April 13, 2007.
~ Ιστορικό Αρχείο ΣΙΜΑΕ (Historical Archive of the Board for the Historical Memory of the EOKA 1955-59 struggle), 17.2009.10, document November 14, 2008.
Keywords:
Artist: Konstantinos Paleologos
Location: Pankyprio high school, Nicosia. Nicosia district
Material: Pentelic marble
Dimensions: > 2 meters
Category: Public Figures
Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou
Nikos Kranidiotis was a diplomat, an educator and a writer. The initiative for the bust was taken by Nikos Kranidiotis family and the Board for the Historical Memory of the EOKA 1955-59 struggle (ΣΙΜΑΕ/SIMAE). The unveiling took place on December 11th 2008.
“Pankyprio Gymnasium” (Pan Cypriot) was founded by Archbishop Kyprianos in 1812 and is the oldest high school in Cyprus. Its initial name was “Greek School” until 1896.
Selected sources:
~ Φιλελεύθερος (Fileleftheros), July 31, 2002, p. 26.
~ Ιστορικό Αρχείο ΣΙΜΑΕ (Historical Archive of the Board for the Historical Memory of the EOKA 1955-59 struggle), 17.94.7, documents August 31, 2006; October 30, 2006.
~ Ιστορικό Αρχείο ΣΙΜΑΕ (Historical Archive of the Board for the Historical Memory of the EOKA 1955-59 struggle), 17.2008.10, document January 15, 2009.
Keywords:
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 25th 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.
Keywords:
Artist: Unknown
Location: Nehru Avenue, next to the Cyprus Parliament, Nicosia. Nicosia district
Material: Brass
Dimensions: 181 cm (in height) x 161 cm (max. width) cm x 87 cm
Category: International relations, Non-Aligned Movement
Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou
The initiative for the bust was taken by the Government of India and was donated to the Government of Cyprus. The unveiling took place on July 10th 1972.
Selected sources:
~ Αγών (Agon), June 29, 1972, p. 1.
~ Αγών (Agon), July 11, 1972, p. 1.
~ Πατρίς (Patris), July 13, 1972, p. 3.
~ 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.
Keywords:
Artist: Andreas Savvides
Location: Pankyprio high school, Nicosia. Nicosia district
Dimensions: 2.5 meters
Category: Public Figures
Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou
Konstantinos Spyridakis had been a distinct personality in the Cypriot intellectual society. He was the founder and the president of the Greek Cultural Association in Cyprus (Ελληνικός Πνευματικός Όμιλος Κύπρου). The Association was founded in 1947 and was very active in literature publications, events supporting the dissemination of Greek culture and the enosis (union) with Greece ideology.
The initiative for the bust was taken by the Hellenic Intellectual Association of Cyprus (ΕΠΟΚ/EPOK) and the “Stasinos” association of Greek philologists. The unveiling took place on May 18th 2008 on the occasion of 175 years of the “Pankyprio” (Pan Cypriot) high school. “Pankyprio Gymnasium” was founded by Archbishop Kyprianos in 1812 and is the oldest high school in Cyprus. Its initial name was “Greek School” until 1896.
Selected sources:
~ Φιλελεύθερος (Fileleftheros), May 19, 1988, p. 3.
Keywords:
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 31st 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.
Keywords:
Artist: Leonidas Spanos
Location: Nicosia City Hall. Nicosia district
Material: Marble
Category: Public Figures
Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou
Themistoklis Dervis has been the Mayor of Nicosia from 1929 to1946 and from 1949 to 1959. The initiative for the memorial was taken by Nikos Karydis, who was an employee of the Nicosia Municipality and Dervis’ close friend. The unveiling took place on November 27th 1993.
Selected sources:
~ Σημερινή (Simerini), November 28, 1993, p. 12.
~ Αρχείο Δήμου Λευκωσίας (Nicosia Municipality Archive), 06-7.1, documents October 9, 1981; October 13, 1981; February 28, 1983.
~ Αρχείο Δήμου Λευκωσίας (Nicosia Municipality Archive), 06-7.5, documents April 15, 1989; June 27, 1989; August 31, 1989.
~ Αρχείο Δήμου Λευκωσίας (Nicosia Municipality Archive), 06-7.6, documents June 16, 1972; September 14, 1989; April 30, 1991.
~ Αρχείο Δήμου Λευκωσίας (Nicosia Municipality Archive), 06-7.7, documents May 14, 1991; December 19, 1991;Meeting Minutes July25, 1991;
~ Αρχείο Δήμου Λευκωσίας (Nicosia Municipality Archive), 06-7.9, document November 5, 1993.
Keywords:
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.
Κeywords:
Artist: Nikolaos Kotziamanis
Location: Crossroads of Kaniggos and Stasinou streets, Nicosia. Nicosia district
Material: Bronze
Category: Public Figures, Political assassinations
Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou
Doros Loizos was a poet and an active member of EDEK (ΕΔΕΚ) political party. He was murdered right after the coup, on August 30, 1974, not far from where his bust is placed.
The initiative for his bust was taken by the London Socialist-Democratic Movement of Cyprus (ΕΔΕΚ/EDEK). The unveiling took place on August 30th 1985.
On the pedestal is written: “Anyway we will resist them; No matter who they are, no matter how powerful they are” (Πάντως εμείς θα τους αντισταθούμε. Όποιοι και νάναι, όσο δυνατοί και νάναι).
Selected sources:
~ Αρχείο Δήμου Λευκωσίας (Nicosia Municipality Archive), 06-7.2, document October 29, 1984.
Keywords:
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 20th 1954. Over the years and because of the monument’s presence, the square became known as Solomos square. On November 4th 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.
Keywords:
Artist: Leonidas Spanos
Location: Dimosthenis Mitsis Building courtyard, Archbishop Makarios III Avenue, Nicosia. Nicosia district
Material: Bronze
Category: Public Figures
Photography Evangelia Matthopoulou
Dimosthenis Mitsis was the founder and major benefactor of the Mitsi Lethymno School. The school was founded in 1912. The initiative for the bust was taken by the Mitsi School board on the occasion of 90 years since the establishment of the school. The unveiling took place on May 21st 2003.
Keywords:
Artist: Andreas Savvides
Location: Chrysalliniotissa Municipal Garden, Nicosia. Nicosia district
Material: Copper
Category: Public Figures
Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou
Dimitris Lipertis was a Cypriot poet. The initiative for the bust was taken by the Hellenic Intellectual Association of Cyprus (ΕΠΟΚ/ΕPΟΚ) who coordinated the fundraising. The unveiling took place on April 21st 1963.
Selected sources:
~ Αγών (Agon), December 16, 1961, p. 8.
~ Χαραυγή (Haravgi), January 11, 1962, p. 5.
~ Χαραυγή (Haravgi), April 6, 1963, p. 5.
~ 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.
Keywords:
Artist: Leonidas Spanos
Location: Municipality Garden of Peace, Nicosia. Nicosia district
Dimensions: 178 cm x 40 cm x 40 cm
Category: Public Figures
Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou
Vladimiros Kafkaridis was a Cypriot actor. The initiative for the bust was taken by an ad hoc private committee for the memorial, which coordinated the fundraising. The unveiling took place on November 5th 1993.
Selected sources:
~ Φιλελεύθερος (Fileleftheros), October 19, 1993, p. 8.
~ Αρχείο Δήμου Λευκωσίας (Nicosia Municipality Archive), 06-7.8, document May 17, 1993.
~ Αρχείο Δήμου Λευκωσίας (Nicosia Municipality Archive), 06-7.9, document September 9, 1993.
Keywords:
Artist: Unknown
Location: Saint Savvas church yard, old city of Nicosia. Nicosia district.
Dimensions: 165 cm (+17 cm the pedestal) x 59 cm x 59 cm
Category: Cypriot Church, EOKA 1955-59, Public Figures
Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou
The bust was commissioned by the church committee of Saint Savvas. On the basis, in front of the bust is written: “We do not forget our enslaved villages and towns. We do not forget our enslaved land on which our altars and homes are built and in them our parents and ancestors are buried” (Δεν ξεχνούμε τα σκλαβωμένα χωριά και τις πόλεις μας. Δεν ξεχνούμε τους σκλαβωμένους τόπους που πάνω τους είναι κτισμένοι οι βωμοί και οι εστίες μας και μέσα τους είναι θαμμένοι οι γονιοί και οι πρόγονοί μας).
Keywords:
Artist: Unknown
Location: Agios Antonios elementary school, Nicosia. Nicosia district
Material: Marble
Dimensions: 193 cm x 59 cm x 51 cm
Category: Public Figures, Public sculpture before 1960
Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou
Antonios Theodotou was a doctor and one of the major benefactors of Nicosia’s schools. The initiative for the bust was taken by the Nicosia Schools Board. The unveiling took place on January 30th 1936.
Selected sources:
~ Φωνή της Κύπρου (Foni tis Kyprou), March 24, 1934, p. 2.
Keywords:
Artist: Nikos Dymiotis
Location: Nehru Avenue, Nicosia. Nicosia district
Material: Bronze
Dimensions: 137 cm x 52 cm x 34 cm
Category: Public Figures
Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou
Andis Pernaris was a poet, a journalist and a teacher. His real name was Andreas Pavlidis. His bust is aimed at promoting his identity as a poet. For this reason on the pedestal are engraved four verses commenting the fame after death and the importance of noble deeds.
The initiative for the bust was taken in 1985 by Pernaris’ sister, Dimitra Pavlidou, who commissioned the bust, and Nikos Panayiotou, officer of the Ministry of Culture. The unveiling took place on January 22nd 1986.
Selected sources:
~ Αρχείο Δήμου Λευκωσίας (Nicosia Municipality Archive), 06-7.1, documents June 27, 1984; August 22, 1984.
~ 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.
Κeywords:
Artist: Giorgos Mavroyenis
Location: Stasinou Avenue, Photos Photiades Business Building, Nicosia. Nicosia district
Material: Brass
Dimensions: 143 cm x 43 cm x 44 cm
Category: Public Figures
Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou
The initiative for both busts was taken by Photos Photiades Scientific and Cultural Institution who coordinated the fundraising. Kostas Montis was a renowned Cypriot poet. The unveiling of his bust took place on July 30th 2007. The composer Marios Tokas, with Cypriot origins from Limassol, lived in Greece where he had a significant presence since the end of the 1970s. Tokas became very popular through his work with renowned Cypriot and Greek poets. The unveiling of his bust took place two years later, on September 16th 2009.
Selected sources:
~ Αρχείο Συμβουλευτικής Επιτροπής Μνημείων Υπουργείου Παιδείας & Πολιτισμού (Advisory Monuments’ Committee) 14.3.01/9, document June 9, 2005.
~ Αρχείο Δήμου Λευκωσίας (Nicosia Municipality Archive), 06-7.17, document April 27, 2004.
~ Αρχείο Δήμου Λευκωσίας (Nicosia Municipality Archive), 06-7.19, document March 10, 2009; March 20, 2009; August 25, 2009.
Keywords:
Artist: Andreas Savvides
Location: Chrysaliniotissa Municipal Garden, Nicosia. Nicosia district
Material: Polyester Resim, marble
Category: Public Figures
Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou
Sofia Vembo was the Greek singer whose songs accompanied the battles of Greeks at the Albanian front during the Second World War. Her voice is regarded as emblematic in contemporary Greece. Placed only a few meters from the Green Line in the old Nicosia city, her presence acquires a clear political symbolic meaning, and becomes a reminder to ethnic duties.
The initiative for the memorial was taken by Petros Stylianou, Andreas Petasis, Photos Photiades and was funded by Carlsberg company. The unveiling took place on May 30th 1980.
Keywords:
Artist: Nikos Dymiotis
Location: Pankyprio high school, Nicosia. Nicosia district
Material: Marble
Dimensions: 2.5 meters
Category: War Volunteers
Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou
Rodion and Miltiadis Georgiadis were volunteers during the Second World War. The initiative for the memorial was taken in 1973 by the Hellenic Intellectual Association of Cyprus (ΕΠΟΚ/EPOK) which also coordinated the fundraising. The unveiling took place on March 24th 1974.
“Pankyprio Gymnasium” (Pan Cypriot) was founded by Archbishop Kyprianos in 1812 and is the oldest high school in Cyprus. Its initial name (until 1896) was “Greek School”.
Selected sources:
~ Χαραυγή (Haravgi), June 19, 1969, p. 4.
Keywords:
Artist: Nikos Dymiotis
Location: Pankyprio high school, Nicosia. Nicosia district
Material: Marble
Category: ΕΟΚΑ 1955-59
Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou
The initiative for the memorial was taken in 1964 by the Pankyprio (Pan Cypriot) high school teachers’ 1959 association. The cost was covered through the Pankyprio students’ contributions. The unveiling took place on April 3rd 1965.
“Pankyprio Gymnasium” was founded by Archbishop Kyprianos in 1812 and is the oldest high school in Cyprus. Its initial name was “Greek School” until 1896, and had always been the reference point of the union (énosis) ideology.
The memorial dedicated to the high school’s dead students can be considered as the epitome of that ideology in aesthetic terms. The commemorative stele imitates the funeral reliefs at the ancient cemetery of Keramikos, in Athens. Three figures participate in the scene. An archaic female winged figure, symbolic representation of glory, motherland, or victory holds a laurel wreath, ready to place it on the head of the young boy. Her iconic archaic facial features, the headdress, the long carefully draped chiton and the stylized, stiff posture of the body in full frontal creates a sharp contrast with the mother and the son. Both of them are depicted in profile; they wear their ordinary clothes and their gestures lack, comparatively, in ritual conventionality.
The rather aged woman behind the young boy maintains an ambiguous identity: she seems to be his mother, but the broken chain on her right wrist implies also the enslaved motherland.
Cypriot women are depicted in public art in their prevailing identity as mothers. They are wrapped up in the same heavy, peasant clothes and usually hold the dual identity of mother and motherland: At the Aradippou (Larnaka district) memorial to the Cypriot Mother the central figure bears many similarities to the Pankyprio woman, including the broken chains which she holds. Both visual depictions and oral narrations in Cyprus intentionally preserve this ambiguity, exacerbating the emotional charge and rendering malleable their concepts: Women dignify their own existence and the role of motherhood by giving birth to future fighters and heroes and by willingly teaching them the sacrificial duty. Vice versa the fighters defend their motherland in the same way the will protect and defend the honor and safety of their mothers and families.
On the base of the commemorative stele an inscription summarizes the visual narration: “To those who heroically fought for their motherland during the Greek nation struggles. This memorial commemorates the young students of the Pankyprion high school who willingly sacrificed their own life for freedom” («Τοις εν τοις απελευθερωτικοις αγωσι του Ελληνικού Έθνους υπέρ πατρίδος ηρωϊκώς αγωνισαμένοις νέοις εν τω Παγκυπρίω Γυμνασίω μαθητεύσασι και ασμένως υπέρ της ελευθερίας την ζωήν αυτών θυσιάσασι τοδε το μνημείο αφιερούται)
Selected sources:
~ Αγών (Agon), April 4, 1965, p. 1, 8.
~ Φιλελεύθερος (Fileleftheros), March 30, 1965, p. 1.
~ Φιλελεύθερος (Fileleftheros), April 5, 1959, p. 1.
~ Χαραυγή (Haravgi), April 8, 1959, p. 1.
Keywords:
Artist: Nikolaos Kotziamanis
Location: Agios Pavlos church, Agios Pavlos area, Nicosia. Nicosia district
Dimensions: 2.70 meters
Category: ΕΟΚΑ 1955-59, Turkish Invasion, Ancient Greek and Byzantine legacy
Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou
The initiative for the memorial was taken in 1992 by the “Markos Drakos” association and initially it was dedicated to all dead and missing from Agios Pavlos and Agios Dometios areas. In 1996 a decision was taken for a liberty statue to complete the commemoration. Donators of the statue, among others, have been the Archbishopric of Cyprus, Agios Dometios Municipality, Agios Dometios Cooperative Savings Bank, the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Ministry of Interior Affairs, and Kykkos Monastery. The unveiling took place on May 2nd 1999.
Goddess Athena stands motionless on her pedestal. A strong neck supports her head, and her facial traits (identical to those of Koili village bust, Pafos district) appear more masculine than feminine, despite her long hair and the female hidden curves emerging beneath the heavy long chiton. In spite of using the most well-known hallmark of the goddess Athena (her helmet) the statue is explicitly identified as Liberty. In addition to that, the placement of the laurel wreath on Athena’s helmet is not a familiar aesthetic formulation or visual symbolism for the goddess, but a direct way to highlight her subsequent association with heroic endeavor. An embossed letter K on her shield allows further connotations and associations.
The inscription on the low pedestal under her feet declares explicitly the devotion of the fighters to motherland: “Using our soul as a shield we safeguard the Greek soil, faithful to the oath for the motherland” (Με την ασπίδα της ψυχής μας εδώ φυλάγομε το ελληνικό μας χώμα πιστοί στον όρκο της πατρίδας). A saying of Odysseus Elytis on the right hand side of the pedestal elaborates the previous inscription “We believed in our steps. We experienced our steps. We called our steps worthy” (Πιστέψαμε στα βήματά μας / ζήσαμε τα βήματά μας / είπαμε τα βήματά μας άξια).
Selected sources:
~ Κρατικό Αρχείο Κύπρου, Αρχείο Πολιτιστικών Υπηρεσιών Υπουργείου Παιδείας & Πολιτισμού (State Archive of Cyprus): 268/1968/14, documents October 27, 1995; March 20, 1996; November 20, 1996; November 25, 1996.
~ Κρατικό Αρχείο Κύπρου, Αρχείο Πολιτιστικών Υπηρεσιών Υπουργείου Παιδείας & Πολιτισμού (State Archive of Cyprus): 268/1968/19, document March 31, 1999.
Keywords:
Artist: Thanasis Minopoulos
Location: Dimostheni Severi Avenue, Nicosia. Nicosia district
Material: Brass
Dimensions: 4.5 meters in total height (2.30 meters the statues + 2.20 the wall)
Category: ΕΟΚΑ 1955-59
Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou
The initiative for the memorial was taken early in 1967 by the Pan Cypriot Guild of Civil Servants (ΠΑΣΥΔΥ/PASYDY) which called an artistic competition in 1967 and coordinated the fundraising. The unveiling took place on October 28th 1967.
The memorial consists of a commemorative marble wall divided in three parts. The central part is protruding and, on the top it bears the sculpted complex of three young men, almost teenagers by their looks. The standing young fighter is holding his gun and his motion conveys the intensity of the action. The other two are arranged in a way which is reminiscent of Michelangelo’s Pieta with the difference being that the female figure of mother or motherland, common in war memorials, is substituted by a co-fighter or fellow civilian. The almost nude dead emphasize the vulnerability of the wounded body and the ephemeral life. At the same time, the triangular arrangement of the figures underlines furthers the antithesis between the living and the dead, and culminates the tension which accumulates to the standing youngster. The impression of the realistic snapshot is invoked by the random expressions on their faces, the variety of the gestures and their emotional postures.
Below the sculpted synthesis, a brass bas relief with Karaolis’ portrait in a medal is inserted on the wall. Next to it, an inscription notes: “Martyr in the name of Freedom and Greece / memory attributed immortality to you by placing you on this pedestal / You show to our children the way of honor” (Της λευτεριάς και της Ελλάδας πρωτομάρτυρα / η μνήμη αθάνατο σ ανάστησε στο βάθρο τούτο / το δρόμο της τιμής να δείχνης στα παιδιά μας).
The central part of the memorial is flanked by two wider marble surfaces on which two bas reliefs illustrate, respectively, the sufferings of the enslaved Cypriots and the struggle of the fighters for freedom.
Selected sources:
~ Μάχη (Mahi), April 18, 1962, p. 6.
~ Πατρίς (Patris), September 9, 1967, p. 3.
~ Χαραυγή (Haravgi), January 7, 1965, p. 5.
~ Χαραυγή (Haravgi), February 24, 1965, p. 1, 5.
Keywords:
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.
Keywords:
Artist: Ioannis Notaras
Location: Nikiforos Phokas street, Podocataro Bastion, Nicosia. Nicosia district
Material: Bronze, Pentelic marble
Category: ΕΟΚΑ 1955-59
Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou
Makarios III took the decision for the monument in 1957 when, during his time in Athens after his exile in Seychelles, he came to know the sculptor Ioannis Notaras. After the Zurich-London treaty was signed in 1959, the commission was officially placed.
The works for the memorial started in 1961 in Athens. By 1966 the fourteen statues were ready and in 1967 they were cast in bronze in Florence, Italy. They were shipped to Cyprus and kept in the Archbishopric premises. The location for the monument, across the headquarters of the Archbishopric and only meters away from the Green Line of partition, was decided in 1967 after the sculptor visited Nicosia. The whole construction was concluded in July 1974, a few days prior to the 1974 Coup and the Turkish Invasion. For this reason an official unveiling never took place. In 1987 the Cypriot Parliament officially renamed the “Liberty Monument” to “Memorial to EOKA struggle”.
The monument is composed on consecutive levels of platforms and forms a triangular synthesis where the main volume of the narration evolves at the base, around the mausoleum or prison. The idea of freedom, personified in the prevailing archaic figure in the upper part of the monument, is materialized through the EOKA fighters in the middle part, and gives its fruition, freedom, in the bottom part.
Liberty’s figure is depicted according to the distinct classic aesthetics, in its fluidity of volumes and refinement of gestures. She stands still and imperious on a high pedestal on the top of the construction. She holds part of her pleated himation around her left forearm, while pointing towards the sky with her right arm, thus constituting a sharp antithesis with the narrative realistic figures at the base. Liberty’s chiton and himation, along with her headdress, evoke direct connotations with the Greek primordial cultural traditions, whilst the ordinary clothing and features of the peasants below her bridge the past with the ephemeral present. These statues depict representative types of the Cypriot society. The priest, the teacher, the mother, the daughter, the EOKA fighters describe in a snapshot the aspirations of the Cypriot society. The white marble of the construction underlines further the concepts of spiritual purity and eternity, as do the contrasts between Liberty’s expressionless, idealistic face and the faces of the ordinary Cypriots which are sealed with traces of malaise.
According to the initial models, the figures of Makarios III and Georgios Grivas were making part of the lower part of the composition. This arrangement seems to have changed in 1965 and two bronze amphora were planned to take their places. According to Notaras’ letter in October 1965 “the prevailing figure shows with her finger the way to union and gazes towards it. In addition, the two EOKA fighters who lift the iron door of the prison open widely the path that leads to Union and Freedom”. According to other sources the gesture of her hand insinuates the faith to God.
Selected sources:
~ Αγών (Agon), June 28, 1972, p. 1.
~ Φιλελεύθερος (Fileleftheros), August 28, 1968, p. 3.
~ Κρατικό Αρχείο Κύπρου, Αρχείο Πολιτιστικών Υπηρεσιών Υπουργείου Παιδείας & Πολιτισμού (State Archive of Cyprus): E11/545, documents September 6, 1965; September 13, 1965; October 10, 1965.
~ Κρατικό Αρχείο Κύπρου, Αρχείο Πολιτιστικών Υπηρεσιών Υπουργείου Παιδείας & Πολιτισμού (State Archive of Cyprus): 268/1968/2, document November 10, 1972.
~ Κρατικό Αρχείο Κύπρου, Αρχείο Πολιτιστικών Υπηρεσιών Υπουργείου Παιδείας & Πολιτισμού (State Archive of Cyprus): 268/1968/4, June 8, 1984.
~ Ιστορικό Αρχείο ΣΙΜΑΕ (Historical Archive of the Board for the Historical Memory of the EOKA 1955-59 struggle), 17.2009.10, document May 12, 2009; Meeting Minutes May 7, 2009.
~ Αρχείο Δήμου Λευκωσίας (Nicosia Municipality Archive), 0672 06-7/1 to 06-7/3, Γ.21/77/1, doc. no110.
Keywords:
Artist: Theodoulos Gregoriou
Location: Border crossing on Ledras pedestrian, Nicosia. Nicosia district.
Material: Cement and aluminum
Dimensions: 4.20 meters the diameter x 6 meters in height
Category: Turkish Invasion, Modern sculpture
Photography: Adrienne Christiansen & Evangelia Matthopoulou
The initiative for the artwork was taken in 1992 by the Nicosia Municipality. The Ministry of Education and Culture ran a competition in April and May 1995. Theodoulos Gregoriou won and his work was donated to the Nicosia Municipality by the Cultural Services of the Ministry of Education and Culture on the occasion of the European Cultural Month.
In October 1995 the artwork was placed in front of the National Guard border crossing post at the end of Ledras street. Gregoriou’ work is only meters before the Green Line that divides Nicosia since 1963.
“The Resolution” is a protest to the violation of human rights. On the round cement basis of approximately a meter in height, part of the text of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is written in embossed Greek letters. A stack of steel lances diagonally arranged hit the center of the text, symbolically destroying it.
Theodoulos Gregoriou is a renowned contemporary artist with important presence in the international art scene. Because of the proximity to the crossing point his choice was based on the thought that the artwork should insinuate its meaning rather than aggressively state it. His aim was to capture the attention of those passing and engage them in a thought process.
Selected sources:
~ Αλήθεια (Alithia), March 29, 1995, p. 2.
~ Αλήθεια (Alithia), October 10, 1995, p. 2.
~ Μάχη (Mahi), August 20, 1995, p. 17.
~ Σημερινή (Simerini), July 19, 1995, p. 4.
~ Φιλελεύθερος (Fileleftheros), October 11, 1995, p. 19.
~ Αρχείο Δήμου Λευκωσίας (Nicosia Municipality Archive), 06-7.8, document December 30, 1992.
~ Αρχείο Δήμου Λευκωσίας (Nicosia Municipality Archive), 06-7.18, document July 17, 2008.
Keywords:
Artist: Aristidis Patsoglou
Location: Embassy of Greece building, Lord Byron Avenue, Nicosia. Nicosia district
Category: Modern sculpture
Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou
The statue was donated to the Greek ambassador in Cyprus by the sculptor Aristidis Patsoglou, and was sponsored by the Greek Bank and Efthyvoulos Paraskevaidis. It was placed in 2005.
Keywords:
Artist: Costas Varotsos
Location: Ammochostos Gate, Nicosia. Nicosia district
Material: Iron and glass
Dimensions: 6 meters
Category: Modern sculpture
Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou
The sculpture was donated by Deste Foundation of Contemporary Art to the city of Nicosia. The president of Deste Foundation, Dakis Ioannou, a Cypriot in origin, is a very well known art collector of contemporary art worldwide.
The “Poet” was made by Costas Varotsos in 1983, and in 1985 it was placed at Ammochostos Gate, the eastern entrance to the old city close to the Green Line.
Costas Varotsos, one of the most renowned Greek sculptors of his generation, used glass in order to capture the power of motion, and virtually expand the poet’s presence in the public space. Glass is a characteristic material of Varotsos’ work but the “Poet” was the first work he attempted of this scale. His second attempt was in 1988 when he constructed the “Runner”, located in front of Hilton Hotel and the National Gallery in Athens.
The attempts to locate the “Poet” sculpture at “Ohi” (Όχι, No) square in the old city of Nicosia did not come to fruition. Consequently the artwork was moved and placed in the Ammochostos bastion gardens, a rather isolated and disproportionate spot compared with the Poet’s size and importance.
Selected sources:
~ Πολίτης (Politis), July 7, 2002, p. 2.
~ Αρχείο Δήμου Λευκωσίας (Nicosia Municipality Archive), 06-7.12, documents December 6, 2001; January 15, 2002; February 15, 2002; March 26, 2002.
~ Αρχείο Δήμου Λευκωσίας (Nicosia Municipality Archive), 06-7.17, document October 7, 2004.
Keywords:
Artist: Unknown
Location: Egeos Avenue, Pallouriotissa Lyceum, Nicosia. Nicosia district
Material: Brass
Dimensions: 2.35 meters
Category: International relations, Ancient Greek & Byzantine legacy
Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou
The statue is an exact copy of Efranoras’, student of Phidias, work of 340-330 B.C. The original Athena goddess of Efranoras is exhibited in Piraeus Archeological Museum, Athens.
The statue was donated by the Municipality of Athens to the Municipality of Nicosia. The unveiling took place on October 7th 2002.
Selected sources:
~ Αρχείο Δήμου Λευκωσίας (Nicosia Municipality Archive), 06-7.12, documents May 30, 2002; July 1, 2002; July 2, 2002; July 25, 2002.
~ Αρχείο Δήμου Λευκωσίας (Nicosia Municipality Archive), 06-7.13, documents September 10, 2002; September 13, 2002; September 25, 2002.
~ Αρχείο Δήμου Λευκωσίας (Nicosia Municipality Archive), 06-7.14, document October 8, 2002.
Keywords:
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.
Κeywords:
Artist: Vasos Falireas
Location: Museum Avenue, next to the Nicosia Municipal Theatre, Nicosia. Nicosia district
Material: Copper
Category: Public Figures
Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou
Kostis Palamas (1859-1943) is ranked among the most prominent Greek poets of the late 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. EPOK’s initiative was in array with its ideology and activities that encourage the promotion and cementing of Greek, ancient and contemporary, culture in Cyprus.
Τhe initiative for the monument was taken in 1972 by the Hellenic Intellectual Association of Cyprus (EΠOK/EPOK). The unveiling took place on February 27th 1974. The work was commissioned to the Greek sculptor Vasos Falireas by Makarios III. Falireas made an identical monument in marble for the Athens Municipality Cultural Center and the unveiling took place on March 7th 1975.
Selected sources:
~ Αγών (Agon), February 23, 1974, p. 1.
~ Τα Νέα (Ta Nea), March 1, 1974.
~ Φιλελεύθερος (Fileleftheros), February 28, 1974, p. 1, 8.
~ 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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