Tag Archives: War Volunteers

Memorial to the Limassol Balkan Wars dead Cypriots

Artist: Georgios Dimitriadis

Location: Agia Napa church, Limassol. Limassol district

Material: Pentelic marble

Category: War Volunteers, Public sculpture before 1960

Photography: Iliana Zinonos

The monument is dedicated to the volunteers during the Balkan wars. The initiative for the memorial was taken by Michail Michailidis, Mayor of Limassol during the years 1913-14, the Limassol Municipality, and the Agia Napa church. The unveiling took place on June 14^th 1915.

Dimitriadis sculpted in marble the, usually, bronze pot in which is burning the heroic sacrificial flame at the altar. Around the pot is wrapped another familiar symbol, the honorary laurel garland.

Selected Sources:

~ 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.

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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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Argyros I. Drousiotis (Αργυρός Ι. Δρουσιώτης) bust

Artist: Fedonas Potamitis

Location: Limassol Municipal Park, Irine and Argyros Drousiotis street, Limassol. Limassol district

Material: Brass

Dimensions: 149 cm x 40 cm x 32 cm

Category: Public Figures, War Volunteers

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

Argyros Drousiotis had been the head of Limassol high school from 1912 until 1940, and served as volunteer during the Balkan Wars. The initiative for the bust was taken in 1987 by the Limassol Greek Gymnasium graduates of 1939, the Drousia emigrants, the Ministry of Education and Culture, and the Limassol School Supervision. The costs were covered by the Greek Gymnasium graduates of 1939. The unveiling took place on December 3^rd 1989.

Selected sources:
~ Σημερινή (Simerini), December 9, 1984, p. 3.
~ Φιλελεύθερος (Fileleftheros), August 30, 1989, p. 16.
~ Savvidis Christakis, Περιδιαβάζοντας τη Λεμεσό (Strolling around Limassol). Limassol Municipality: 1991.

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Memorial to the Limassol high school dead students during the Balkan Wars

Μνημείο πεσόντων Βαλκανικών πολέμων (5)n

Artist: G.Ν.

Location: Lanitio high school

Material: Marble

Category: War Volunteers, Public sculpture before 1960

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

The initiative for the memorial was taken by the Limassol Greek School Supervision, and the Limassol high school. The unveiling took place on June 14^th 1915.

On the lower parts of the obelisk are engraved verses of the Greek national anthem and Plato’s sayings which remind the high duty to safeguard motherland. On one of the surfaces a bas relief depicts an owl along with branches of laurel, symbols of wisdom and sacrificial death.

Selected sources:
~ 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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Memorial to Rodion and Miltiadis Georgiadis (Ροδίων και Μιλτιάδης Γεωργιάδης)

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 24^th 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.

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Ioannis Stavrianos (Ιωάννης Σταυριανός) bust

Προτομή Ιωάννη Σταυριανού (2)n

Artist: Theodoulos Theodoulou

Location: Old elementary school, Lofou. Limassol district

Material: Brass

Dimensions: 159 cm x 48 cm x 39 cm

Category: War Volunteers

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

Ioannis Stavrianos was a volunteer during the Greek War of Independence in 1821. The initiative for the memorial was taken by an ad hoc private committee. On the bottom of the pedestal there is an ossuary with his remnants. The unveiling took place on November 1^st 1998.

Selected sources
~ Φιλελεύθερος (Filelftheros), September 5, 1994, p. 15.
~ Φιλελεύθερος (Filelftheros), October 28, 1998, p. 4.

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Memorial to the Xylotymvou dead and missing

Artist: Photos Demetriou

Location: Xylotymvou village, central square. Larnaka district.

Category: War Volunteers, Turkish Invasion

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

The memorial is dedicated to Zaharias Spyrou (Ζαχαρίας Σπύρου) who died during the Turkish invasion, and the volunteer Michail Petrou (Μιχαήλ Πέτρου) who died during the Second World War. Their images are depicted in relief. It was commissioned by the Xylotymvou Community Committee and the unveiling took place on January 25^th 2003.

Selected sources:
~Φιλελεύθερος (Fileleftheros), June 26, 2003, p. 76.
~Κρατικό Αρχείο Κύπρου, Αρχείο Πολιτιστικών Υπηρεσιών Υπουργείου Παιδείας & Πολιτισμού (State Archive of Cyprus): 268/1968/16, Meeting Minutes June 26, 1997.
~Αρχείο Συμβουλευτικής Επιτροπής Μνημείων Υπουργείου Παιδείας & Πολιτισμού (Advisory Monuments’ Committee) 14.3.01/2, document April 20, 2000.

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Memorial to the Cypriot Volunteers in the Balkan Wars

Artist: Giorgos Mavroyenis

Location: Pedoulas village, Fidkia hill, Holly Cross chapel. Nicosia district

Dimensions: 96 cm x 67 cm x 48 cm

Category: War Volunteers

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

The memorial is dedicated to all local volunteers during the Balkan Wars. It is reminiscent of a theatrical stage, both due to the arrangement of the surrounding commemoration and the natural environment. Michail Stivaros’ (Μιχαήλ Στιβαρός) bust is the visual point of reference. It’s situated on a low platform and is flanked by a geometric construction and panels that present information on his activity during the Balkan Wars.

The memorial was commissioned by Athanasios Ktoridis Foundation and the unveiling took place during 2011.

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Memorial to the dead and to Nikitari Mother

Artist: Christos Symeonidis Chrisimos

Material: Bronze (the busts and the medals)

Location: Nikitari village. Nicosia village

Dimensions: 136 cm x 40 cm x 305 cm (Spyrou bust). 115 cm (+81 cm the pedestal)

55 cm x 44~74 cm (the bust of the mother)

Category: War Volunteers, Turkish Invasion, National Guard, EOKA 1955-59, Cypriot Women

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

The memorial was initially intended to commemorate only Kostas Spyrou who was killed during the Turkish invasion in 1974. It was subsequently designed to pay respects to all those Nikitari fighters who have died since 1940, including the volunteers during the Second World War. Nevertheless, Spyrou is the only one to be commemorated with a bust.

The Mother’s bust was added in 2006. Under her feet is written: “Mother, lady of Nikitari, lady of freedom, you crown your children as heroes” («Μάνα, κυρά του Νικηταριού, κυρά της λευτεριάς, τα παιδιά σου ήρωες τιμάς»).

The female figure here intentionally keeps an ambiguous identity symbolizing simultaneously the concepts of both motherhood and motherland. Both identities aim to promote and underline the sacrificial nature of motherhood, and the women’s duty to serve and perpetuate the family and the nation.

The memorial was funded by a private ad hoc committee for the Nikitari memorial, the Community Committee, and the Nikitari expatriates union and friends. The unveiling took place on November 26^th 2006.

Selected sources:
~ Αρχείο Συμβουλευτικής Επιτροπής Μνημείων Υπουργείου Παιδείας & Πολιτισμού (Advisory Monuments’ Committee) 14.3.01/4, Meeting Minutes October 10, 2002.

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Memorial to the Freedom Fighters

Artist: Nikolaos Kotziamanis

Location: Panayia Chriseleousa yard, Koili village. Pafos district.

Dimensions: 2 meters x 65 ~ 80 cm x 65 ~ 80 cm

Category: War Volunteers, EOKA 1955-59

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

The memorial is dedicated to the Koili EOKA dead fighters, and to those who were killed during the Greek Independence War of 1821, the Balkan Wars, the Greco-Turkish War of 1919-1922 and the Second World War. It was commissioned by the Koili expatriates association. The unveiling took place on July 8^th 2001.

Although the bust has no title and therefore its meaning is open to interpretations, the helmet indicates goddess Athena. This head is an exact copy of Athens’ head at the memorial to the EOKA 1955-59 dead at Agios Pavlos church in Nicosia, known also as “Liberty Monument”. Both are made by the same artist. Strong necks support the goddesses’ heads and their facial traits appear more masculine than feminine, despite their long hair. The placement of the laurel wreath on the helmet in both cases is not a familiar aesthetic formulation or symbolism for Athena, but eloquently reflects the intentions of the sculpture’s commissioners.

Selected sources:
~ Φιλελεύθερος (Fileleftheros), July 9, 2001, p. 3.

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Memorial to the dead and missing of Empa & Georgios Christoforou bust

Artist: Christos Symeonidis Chrisimos

Location: Apostle Andreas church yard, Empa village. Pafos district.

Material: (of the bust) Copper

Dimensions : (of the bust)144 cm x 39 cm x 34 cm

Category: EOKA 1955-59, Inter-communal conflicts 1963-64, 1974 Coup, Turkish Invasion, War Volunteers (Second World War).

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

The memorial was commissioned by the Empa Community and the unveiling took place on May 25^th 2008. The bust was commissioned by SIMAE (Board for the Historical Memory of the EOKA 1955-59 struggle), and an ad hoc private committee for the Christoforou memorial and the unveiling took place on November 11^th 2008.

Selected sources:
~ Ιστορικό Αρχείο ΣΙΜΑΕ (Historical Archive of the Board for the Historical Memory of the EOKA 1955-59 struggle), 17.2008.9, Meeting Minutes April 10, 2008.
~ 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; Meeting Minutes October 9, 2008.

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Argyros Drousiotis (Αργυρός Δρουσιώτης) bust

Artist: Nikolaos Kotziamanis

Location: Drouseia open ‘theater’. Pafos district.

Dimensions: 146 cm x 57 cm x 57 cm

Category: War Volunteers, Public Figures

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

Argyros Drousiotis was an educator and served as volunteer during the Balkan Wars. The memorial was commissioned by expatriates from Drouseia and the unveiling took place in 1986.

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Georgios Azinas (Γεώργιος Αζίνας) bust

Artist: Petros Moraitis

Location: Chlorakas Panagia Chryseleousis church yard. Pafos district.

Dimensions: 166 cm x 45 cm x 34 cm

Category: War Volunteers

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

Petros Moraitis was a Major in the Greek army during the Greek civil war of 1946-1949. The bust was commissioned by Makarios III and supported financially mainly by the Greek Embassy and private fundraising. The unveiling took place on April 7^th 1963.

Selected sources:
~ Μάχη (Mahi), July 20, 1961, p. 2.
~ Μάχη (Mahi), February 15, 1963, p. 6.
~ Μάχη (Mahi), November 21, 1963, p. 1.

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Memorial to Pafos dead during the Second World War

Artist: Aghela Sofokli

Location: Georgios Griva Digeni Avenue, Pafos Municipality. Pafos district.

Material: Stone

Category: War Volunteers, Modern sculpture

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

In March 1994 the Cyprus Veterans’ association World War II submitted a request to Pafos Municipality with regard to the construction of a memorial dedicated to all those who died during World War II.

In October 1994 the Veterans’ association established and announced the 11^th of November as the day for commemoration of the dead of both World Wars. The request for the memorial was granted a year later by the Municipality authorities and the unveiling took place on June 15^th 1997.

Selected sources:
~ Φιλελεύθερος (Fileleftheros), March 2, 1996, p. 20.
~ Αρχείο Δήμου Πάφου (Pafos Municipality Archive) 8.1991, documents March 4, 1994; April 17, 1995.

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