Soldier of 1940

Soldier of 1940

Epirus, Greece

Twentieth Century

The warrior monument is erected on a hill outside the village of Kalpaki at the intersection of the major roughly N-S route from Ioaninna to Kozani (and the Albanian border just beyond) and a smaller road that is the northern route into the tortuous mountain byways that partially ring the Vikos gorge and lead to the northern Zagorian villages of Aristi, the Papingos and the eponymous Vikos. The monument is accessible both by car on a macadam road, and on a well-maintained stone walkway that processes up from the back streets of the village. A massive (roughly 5.5 meters) bronze statue of a helmeted, caped, and armed man stands on a high (~ 1.5 meters), irregularly shaped pedestal that also serves as an ossuary. The statue and base are situated in the middle of a large plaza with a decorative pavement composed of slate stones bordered by a marble edging that forms both regularly geometric panels and shard-like projections through the design. The composition accommodates distant viewing and a close-up experience with room for a large crowd. The bronze statue faces NW, looking out towards the Albanian border, and faces a hillside in the distance with the word OXI marked out in white stones. His military accoutrement includes boots, rifle with bayonet, and helmet. His bulk is accentuated by the large sweeping poncho that encloses him and obscures the outline of the human body. His attire is easily identified as the characteristic thick hide and wool shepherd’s cloak, kopanos in Greek or sheath.

ΣΗΜΑΤΡΟ ΔΟΞΑΣ ΣΚΟΥΡΙΑΣΜΕΝΟ ΑΠ' ΤΟΝ ΚΑΙΡΟ\ ΧΤΥΠΗΣΕΣ ΜΕ ΤΟ ΧΕΡΙ ΤΗΝ ΑΣΠΙΔΑ\ ΚΙ ΑΝΑΨΕΣ ΤΗΝ ΣΒΥΣΜΕΝΗ ΦΛΟΓΑ ΣΤΟ ΙΕΡΟ\ ΤΙΝΑΧΤΗΚΕ ΑΠ' ΤΟ ΚΑΛΕΣΜΑ ΣΟΥ ΤΟ ΦΤΕΡΟ\ ΤΗΣ ΝΙΚΗΣ ΓΥΜΝΗ ΠΡΟΒΑΛΕ Η ΛΕΠΙΔΑ\ ΣΠΑΘΙΩΝ ΚΙ ΑΚΟΥΣΤΗΚΕ ΑΠΟ ΝΕΩΝ ΗΡΩΩΝ ΧΟΡΟ \ ΤΩΝ ΠΕΡΣΟΜΑΧΩΝ Ο ΥΜΝΟΣ Ω ΠΑΤΡΙΔΑ.\ Γ. ΔΡΟΣΙΝΗΣ ; the bell of fame rusty from weather you struck with your hand the shield and you lit the snuffed out flame in the sanctuary the wing of victory was shaken by your invitation naked appeared the blade of swords and a hymn of fighters was heard from a land of new heroes – O Country! G. Drosinis; ΨΑΛΜΟΥΣ ΓΙΑ ΣΑΣ ΠΟΙΟΣ ΝΟΙΩΘΕΙ ΤΕΤΟΙΑ ΔΥΝΑΜΗ\ΤΕΤΟΙΑ ΦΤΕΡΑ ΠΟΙΟΣ ΚΕΡΙΝΑ ΦΟΡΕΙ ΤΟΥ ΙΚΑΡΟΥ\ ΚΑΙ ΠΟΙΑ ΘΑ ΠΗ ΤΑ ΚΛΕΑ ΣΑΣ ΛΥΡΑ ΑΙΣΧΥΛΙΑ\ ΤΑ ΠΡΟΠΑΙΑ ΠΟΙΟΣ ΟΜΗΡΟΣ ΚΑΙ ΦΟΡΜΙΓΓΑ ΠΙΝΔΑΡΟΥ ; Psalms for you who feels such power, who carries the waxen wings of Ikaros, and what Aeschylean lyra will speak your famous deeds, What Homer and what phorminx of Pindar your trophies.

Lazaros Lamera (sculptor) ; Donations from the officers and enlisted men of the armed forces (sponsor)

October 28, 1940 (Date of Event) ; September 1966 (Date of Construction)

Images provided for non-commercial research and reference use only. No permission is required from the rights-holder(s) for educational uses. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). Should you have use questions or any legal concerns about this image or collection, please contact: askref@hollins.edu.

bronze (metal); stone (rock)

casts (sculpture); stone-built

war memorials; monumental sculpture; ossuaries (buildings)

epirus_soldier_of_1940

Kalpáki, Ioánnina, Epirus, Greece

39.895515

20.624733