U N E S C O
global campaign
global campaign
The Georgios Zongolopoulos Foundation, on November 25, 2021, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, participated in the global campaign of UNESCO “Orange the World” lighting up for the first time in orange the iconic monument “The Dance of Zalongo” in collaboration with the Municipality of Preveza.
The Monument “The Dance of Zalongo”
International Landmark for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
International Landmark for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
We are all witnesses to a series of gender-based violence issues, which unfortunately have escalated tremendously in recent years.
Raising awareness and the ongoing fight to eliminate this phenomenon is a continuous effort by every public and private initiative with the common goal of Eliminating Violence Against Women, both nationally and globally.
With the support of the Ministry of Culture and Sports, the Service of Modern Monuments & Technical Works of Epirus, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the General Secretariat for Public Diplomacy & Greek Diaspora, the Region of Epirus and the Regional Unit of Preveza, the the Municipality of Preveza,, the the Central Union of Municipalities of Greece, the the Ministry of Tourism, the Greek National Tourism Organization, and numerous friends, the George Zongolopoulos Foundation is actively promoting through an international awareness campaign the designation of the Modern Cultural Heritage Monument of Greece “The Dance of Zalongo” as an International Landmark for the Elimination of Violence Against Women within the framework of UNESCO principles..
Sixty-three Souliot women, chased and trapped on the edge of a cliff, faced with the threat of rape and captivity, chose death as their only escape. This is the first recorded act of self-determination and collective female resistance to violence in world history.
The monument is a masterpiece of art and engineering, colossal in size 18 meters long and 15 meters high,visible from 35 kilometers away..
The collective decision of the women to resist violence in this way, along with the monument’s unique thematic, formal, and technical characteristics, make the sacred place of Zalongo and the monument itself a unique Global Point of Reference and Symbol for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
The monument is a masterpiece of art and engineering, colossal in size 18 meters long and 15 meters high,visible from 35 kilometers away..
The collective decision of the women to resist violence in this way, along with the monument’s unique thematic, formal, and technical characteristics, make the sacred place of Zalongo and the monument itself a unique Global Point of Reference and Symbol for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
May “The Dance of Zalongo”
the Modern Cultural Heritage Monument of Greece
By decision of the Ministry of Culture and Sports (Government Gazette 320-03/06/2021), the sculpture “The Dance of Zalongo” in the Regional Unit of Preveza was declared in 2021 the Modern Cultural Heritage Monument of Greecebecause it is a pioneering work of large-scale modern outdoor sculpture with exceptional historical, artistic, and technical value.
The request for this designation was submitted by the George Zongolopoulos Foundation, which expresses its deepest gratitude for the honorable acceptance and approval of the request by the Greek State, as well as for the exemplary cooperation with the competent Directorates and Services of the Ministry of Culture and Sports.
the Modern Cultural Heritage Monument of Greece
By decision of the Ministry of Culture and Sports (Government Gazette 320-03/06/2021), the sculpture “The Dance of Zalongo” in the Regional Unit of Preveza was declared in 2021 the Modern Cultural Heritage Monument of Greecebecause it is a pioneering work of large-scale modern outdoor sculpture with exceptional historical, artistic, and technical value.
The request for this designation was submitted by the George Zongolopoulos Foundation, which expresses its deepest gratitude for the honorable acceptance and approval of the request by the Greek State, as well as for the exemplary cooperation with the competent Directorates and Services of the Ministry of Culture and Sports.
The monumental construction feat
Following a nationwide competition, in 1954 the monument was constructed in situ on Mount Zalongo, dedicated to the collective sacrifice of the Souliot women.
The construction faced many challenges since materials (water, sand, gravel, wood, iron, cement) for the reinforced concrete frame and 4,300 limestone blocks “dressing” the Souliot women had to be transported by hand, animals, and improvised mechanisms through rugged paths from the base of the cliff to the erection site.
Following a nationwide competition, in 1954 the monument was constructed in situ on Mount Zalongo, dedicated to the collective sacrifice of the Souliot women.
The construction faced many challenges since materials (water, sand, gravel, wood, iron, cement) for the reinforced concrete frame and 4,300 limestone blocks “dressing” the Souliot women had to be transported by hand, animals, and improvised mechanisms through rugged paths from the base of the cliff to the erection site.
The eagerness to create the monument was so strong that public bodies and private individuals united for its completion. The erection was financially supported by school fundraising, as well as remarkable voluntary work by dozens of women from nearby villages.
The representation of “The Dance of Zalongo” as a public monument pays tribute to the women who chose how to determine their lives,while also commemorating the active role of women in society.
The representation of “The Dance of Zalongo” as a public monument pays tribute to the women who chose how to determine their lives,while also commemorating the active role of women in society.
The global character and symbolism for the Elimination of Violence and Equality and the UNESCO request
The iconic sculpture May “The Dance of Zalongo” is a prime example of Modernism, where its abstract form can be adopted as a symbol of every woman, not only in Greece but worldwide.
Recognizing that now is the appropriate time for this monument to become an International Landmark for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the George Zongolopoulos Foundation is acting to secure this designation from UNESCO. Let us all support this effort so that we can say NO TO VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN, with a common global symbol located in the country that still profoundly influences the way democracy should function today..
The natural site of installation and the unique case of this public artwork depicting women standing proud on the edge of a cliff refusing all forms of humiliation,deserve international attention and recognition.
May “The Dance of Zalongo” remind us of the self-sacrifice of these women and become a symbol to honor the woman,the mother, the daughter, the sisterthe friend in our lives.
The iconic sculpture May “The Dance of Zalongo” is a prime example of Modernism, where its abstract form can be adopted as a symbol of every woman, not only in Greece but worldwide.
Recognizing that now is the appropriate time for this monument to become an International Landmark for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the George Zongolopoulos Foundation is acting to secure this designation from UNESCO. Let us all support this effort so that we can say NO TO VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN, with a common global symbol located in the country that still profoundly influences the way democracy should function today..
The natural site of installation and the unique case of this public artwork depicting women standing proud on the edge of a cliff refusing all forms of humiliation,deserve international attention and recognition.
May “The Dance of Zalongo” remind us of the self-sacrifice of these women and become a symbol to honor the woman,the mother, the daughter, the sisterthe friend in our lives.
