What I can see

In the park of the 3rd Military Force, we see a bronze sculpture by Vassilis Pappas and Athanasios Alexiadis that represents Kalliopi Lyka in military uniform. The sculpture sits on a marble base. The title “The Soldier’s Mother” given to her by King George II, her name and the dates of her birth and death (1889-1982) are written on the base. It is a realistic work of art, but, according to Orfanidis (2016), rigid and simplistic.

What I can't see

Kalliopi Lyka grew up in a conservative family and was brought up with the values ​​of the upper class of the time. Her love for the king, Christianity and the country was strong. She was constantly at the front as a Red Cross nurse, giving first aid to soldiers during the Balkan wars and the National Resistance against the Nazis. However, she was heavily criticized for her actions during the civil war, her participation in the Korean War, her support to monarchy and her visit to the Makronissos concentration camp for political prisoners. King George II also gave her the title “a role model Greek woman, wife and mother of the nation’s warrior heroes”.

Info

• Address: 3rd Military Force

Bibliography