Title of the sculpture: Kostis Palamas

Location: Cultural Center of the Municipality of Athens, 50 Akadimias St. (courtyard)

Construction: 1975

Material: Marble

Sculptor: Vassos Falireas

Description: The poet is depicted seated on a marble seat on which a garment is thrown, in a pose of contemplation. It is supported on a square marble pedestal, on the front of which is inscribed: “KOSTIS PALAMAS 1859 - 1943”. On the one side of the seat, there is an inscription that reads «Κώστας Παλαμάς ΑΥΤΟ ΚΡΑΤΑΕΙ ΑΝΑΛΑΦΡΟ ΜΕΣ’ ΤΗΝ ΑΝΕΜΟΖΑΛΗ ΤΟ ΑΠΟ ΤΟΥ ΚΟΣΜΟΥ ΤΗ ΒΟΗ ΠΡΕΣΒΥΤΙΚΟ ΚΕΦΑΛΙ ΑΥΤΟ ΤΟ ΛΟΓΟ ΘΑ ΣΑΣ ΠΩ ΔΕΝ ΕΧΩ ΑΛΛΟ ΚΑΝΕΝΑ ΜΕΘΥΣΤΕ ΜΕ Τ’ ΑΘΑΝΑΤΟ ΚΡΑΣΙ ΤΟΥ ΕΙΚΟΣΙΕΝΑ 1 Νοεμβρίου 1940» (“Κostas Palamas THIS IS WHAT ΚΕΕPS LIGHT WITHIN ΤΗΕ WHIRLWIND THE SENIOR FROM THE WORLD'S ROAR HEAD I WILL TELL YOU THIS AND NOTHING MORE GET DRUNK WITH THE IMMORTAL WINE OF THE REVOLUTION 1 November 1940”) while on the other side there is the name of the sculptor and the year «Β. ΦΑΛΗΡΕΑΣ ΕΠΟΙΕΙ 1975» (“MADE BY V. FALIREAS 1975”).

A few words about the Poet: Kostis Palamas (1859 - 1943) was the dominant figure of the poets of the Generation of 1880 and one of the leading figures of Greek poetry. His work covers a wide range, from the ”lyricism of the ego” to epic compositions and grand visions. Influenced by the movement of poets of his time who reacted to the excesses of Athenian Romanticism and were interested in the establishment of the vernacular, he moved between Parnassism and Symbolism, with his work Iambs and Anapaests being the first example of Symbolism in Greek poetry. His important works include The Gypsy’s Decalogue, Grave, The Immovable Life, The King's Flute, etc. In 1925 he was awarded the National Award of Letters and Arts, while from 1926 he was a key member of the Academy of Athens, of which he became president in 1930. The poet's funeral was historic, as thousands of Greeks accompanied him to his final resting place, in the First Cemetery of Athens, singing the National Anthem in front of the astonished German occupiers.

A few words about the Sculptor: The sculptor Vassos Falireas (1905 - 1979) was one of the most important representatives of the academic school in Greece during the 20^th century. He was awarded the gold and silver medals at the 1937 Paris International Exhibition in 1937, in 1952 the Geneva International Committee selected one of his works as a permanent medal of the International Olympic Games, and in 1965 he was awarded the Golden Cross of the Order of George I for his artistic contribution. In 1966 he was elected a corresponding member of the French Academy of Fine Arts and in 1976 a member of the Academy of Athens.  

Sources:
Politis, L. (2017). History of Modern Greek Literature. Athens: M.I.E.T. (NBG Cultural Foundation) p.194-195
Antonopoulou, Z. (2003). The sculptures of Athens: Open Air Sculpture 1834 - 2004. Athens: Potamos.