Gandhi Monument
The Gandhi monument is one of the most recent monumental sculptures in the city.
Modern and Contemporary era (1821 - )
2021 Unveiled.
Ottoman era (1453- 1821)
Byzantine era (331 AC- 1453)
Roman era (30 BC- 330 AC)
Hellenistic era (322- 31 BC)
Classical era (478-323 BC)
Archaic era (800-479 BC)
Geometric era (-1100- 800 BC)
Prehistory (-1100 BC)
What I can see
Next to the Embassy of India, is the bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi. It is a realistic sculpture, which depicts him in one of his characteristic poses. He holds a book and a staff, while walking. The sculpture is placed on a monumental marble pedestal and bears a honorary plaque. Among much information in Greek and English, one of his famous phrases is also inscribed: “There is no way to peace, peace is the way”. The pacifist leader’s sculpture sits a few metres from the monument of US President Harry Truman, who gave the order to drop the 2 atomic bombs on Japan.
What I can't see
The creator of the sculpture is not mentioned anywhere. It was donated to the Municipality of Athens by the Embassy of India and was unveiled by the foreign ministers of Greece and India, in the presence of many political and social representatives. Mohandas Karamchad Gandhi (1869-1948) was an Indian lawyer, activist, thinker and spiritual leader of the revolution for the independence of India. “Mahatma” is a nickname that means “great soul” in Sanskrit. Gandhi became a global icon as he inspired passive resistance that is the non-use of violence against the British colonialists. His peaceful approach and his ascetic life rank him among the global symbols of politics and intellectuals. He was assassinated in 1948 by an Indian nationalist.
Info
- Address: Vas. Konstantinou Av. & Kleanthous St.
Bibliography
Newsroom, (2021), Αποκαλυπτήρια ανδριάντα του Μαχάτμα Γκάντι στην Αθήνα, [Unveiling statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Athens] in CNN Greece,
https://www.cnn.gr/politiki/story/271767/apokalyptiria-andrianta-toy-maxatma-gkanti-stin-athina
Last visit 21/10/2024
Rolland R., (2023), Gandhi, Paris: l’Alchimiste éditions
