Eleftherios Venizelos

Eleftherios Venizelos (1864-1936) was one of the most important figures in modern Greek political history. Starting from his unique homeland, Crete, he organized the fight for the island’s integration into the main body of Greece (culminating in the Theriso Movement), which he achieved in the first of his 7 terms as a prime minister, in 1913. During the critical decade of 1912-1922, Venizelos' role was pivotal. During his terms, at the time of the Balkan Wars, the territory and population of Greece doubled, while it was he who insisted to side with the Entente during World War I and thus, the country found itself on the victorious side. Venizelos started the Asia Minor Campaign with the support of the Great Powers of Europe, while his removal from the political scene certainly played an important role in the tragedy that followed during the Asia Minor Catastrophe. Finally, his government was called upon to carry out the titanic task of rehabilitating the Asia Minor refugees and to lead the country to a period of prosperity and progress once again. His name is associated with great historical moments, unprecedented conquests and remarkable works; Venizelos passed away in Paris and his body was returned to his beloved Crete, at Akrotiri - Chania, where he is buried to this day. The monumental brass statue of Giannis Pappas, placed in the centre of Eleftherias Square, depicts the Greek politician dressed in the typical attire of a man of his rank in the early 20th century, holding wrapped papers in his left hand and vigorously stepping forward.