1. ENGLISH - Maria Callas sculpture in Athens provokes heated discussions

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18/10/2021 

Maria Callas sculpture in Athens provokes heated discussions

Α new sculpture of Maria Callas unveiled in downtown Athens some days ago has been strongly criticized by inhabitants from the Greek capital and Callas aficionados.

The sculpture of the diva stands opposite the Odeon of Herodes Atticus in a small park with olive trees close to the Acropolis of Athens. It was created by Aphrodite Liti and commissioned by the Greek Maria Callas Association ahead of the celebrations for the 100th anniversary of her birth in 2023.

It is a shiny bronze statue, 1,8 meter high, inspired by photographs of the singer. Apparently one photo from a performance at Milan’s La Scala impressed the sculptor “because of its Greek features, Doric style, and simplicity”.

But not everyone is happy with the statue. « Looks like a Terminator, » one person said on Twitter

« A tacky piece that would be better off in a Star Wars theme park, » wrote one user. « Maria, we sincerely apologize to you, » another. Other critics compare the monument to the well-known Oscar statuette. It has been criticized for being kitsch, and bearing no resemblance to the singer. Other comments said ‘Ghandi in heels’.

Liana Skourli, who founded the Greek Maria Callas  Society and helped raise funds for the statue, described the criticism as “totally unfair”.