4 Public Art works Revealed in Larnaca
Public art works and sculptures have a visual appeal that also reveal notions about the city they are placed in, giving us a better understanding about a country’s culture and history.
These five sculptures found in public spaces within the town of Larnaca each depict a different story. Through getting to know the artists and ideals behind each of these sculptures, we hope you enjoy getting to know Larnaca a little better!
Ceremonial Gathering by Aggelos Makridis
Found within the departure area of the Larnaca International airport, the sculpture of well-established local fine artist Angelos Makrides can’t be missed. Created in 2009 when the Larnaca International Airport was newly built, twelve bronze torsi, eleven male and one female, form a circle which represent a common arrangement of participants during a ceremonial gathering.
In the middle of the circle, one will also notice a ceremonial pot, symbolically referring to the hearth and the sacred fire. The hearth symbolises origins, and is associated with the eternal flame, which in turn implies commemoration.
Cells by Theodoulos Gregoriou
Also found on the premises of the Larnaca International Airport, at its front entrance, ‘Cells’ is one of two sculptures found outside the airport. The other, which is adjacent to it is entitled ‘Hourglass’. Both sculptures where created by local visual artist Theodoulos Gregoriou.
Installed in 2009, the modern sculpture is from cement, inox, minerals and LEDs.
Theodoulos Gregoriou is the only artist among the nine who worked on the Larnaca International airport project to have his works outdoors.
Cells by Theodoulos Gregoriou
‘Seagulls in Flight’ by Theodoros Papayiannis
Heralding the start of the popular Foinikoudes promenade, Europe Square is the home of Greek sculptor Theodoros Papayiannis’s sculpture and fountain entitled ‘Seagulls in Flight’
Used for many cultural and sporting events, the square and hence, Papayiannis’s work, is a landmark of the area. It is flanked by the first colonial buildings the British Administration built in Cyprus in 1881 as well as the Cultural Municipal Centre of Larnaca.
Placed on location in 1996, the sculpture depicts a flock of seagulls and was funded by the Larnaca and the Larnaca-Kition Rotary clubs as well as individual contributors.
Memorial to the Armenian Genocide by Giorgos Kalakallas
Located at the Larnaca Marina, next to the Finikoudes beach front, this brass and granite modern sculpture was created by artist Giorgos Kalakallas to mark, where Armenian refugees – who fled persecution during the 1915 Armenian massacres in Turkey – first landed in Cyprus.
According to the plaque inserted on the nearby wall “It represents the gratitude of the Armenian nation towards the people of Cyprus for their assistance and generosity to those refugees and stands in memory of the countless victims of the Armenian genocide.”
Memorial to the Armenian Genocide by Giorgos Kalakallas
