The Georgios Zogolopoulos Foundation in collaboration with the Municipality of Athens, the Municipality of Thessaloniki, the Municipality of Filothei-Psychiko, the Municipality of Preveza, and the EMAAR Misr group are participating in the global Orange the World campaign illuminating the emblematic sculptures of George Zogomla Violence against Women.
The unique case of the Monument of Zalongo “Dance of Zalongo” is illuminated by the Municipality of Preveza for the first time. It is the only public monument in Greece with dimensions 18 m. length and 15 m height, which is dedicated to women and the contribution of Greek women to the 1821 Struggle for Freedom.
The 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution of 1821 coincides with the 60th anniversary of the unveiling of the Zalongos Monument in 1961. In the context of this double symbolic anniversary, the Zalongos Monument was declared, this year, a New Cultural Heritage Monument erected in a place of special historical significance for Greece.
The completion of the monument, which is the size of a five-story apartment building, was created in situ on Mount Zalongo, still stands as a great construction feat for Greece in 1960, and to ensure its completion the monument was placed “under the auspices” of then Queen Frederick.
The President of the Georgios Zongolopoulos Foundation, Mr. Nikos Theodoridis, stated:
“The Monument of Zalongo, which participates for the first time in the celebration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, was designated a Monument of Modern Cultural Heritage of Greece in a historic year honouring the Greek Revolution, but also in a year that, unfortunately, the term ‘woman-slaughter’ was consolidated in our country. The global MeToo movement gained a voice in Greece as well.”
The monument is dedicated to the heroine Souliotisses whose sacrifice inspired and moved many Europeans, offering a platform for the expression of the philhellenic movement. Through this emblematic work, Zongolopoulos wanted to leave to eternity the cry of women for freedom and dignity. Let this monument remind every Greek of the self-sacrifice of the heroines and let it become a symbol for each of us to honor the woman, the mother, the daughter, the sister, the friend that he has in his life.
The Municipality of Filothei-Psychiko has installed in the Outdoor Sculpture Gallery of Psychiko the sculpture The Dance of Zalongo which is the bronze imprint of the Zalongo Monument, on a scale of 1:10, which marks this year’s campaign of the Municipality. The Municipality of Athens participated in the campaign, illuminating in orange the sculpture “Pentacycle” and the new fountain in Omonia Square.
The Municipality of Thessaloniki illuminated the sculpture Umbrellas on the coastal front of the city. EMAAR Misr and Al Alamein Hotel stand in solidarity and celebrate International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women by participating in and lighting the Orange Umbrellas.
feature image credit Στέλιος Δ Flickr stream
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