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 28^th 1962. The 28^th 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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