Iconic soprano Maria Callas will serve as a strong symbol associated with UNESCO’s Paris headquarters after a statue of her by sculptor Nikos Floros was unveiled at the site.
The legendary Greek singer was officially revealed in statue form last Thursday, with the inauguration taking place as organised by the Greek Permanent Delegation to UNESCO in collaboration with its Italian counterpart.
George Koumoutsakos, Greece’s Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, hailed the legacy of Callas whose magical operatic voice has only grown in legacy over the decades.
“With her Mediterranean temperament and relentless pursuit of perfection, Callas will forever remain a goodwill ambassador for UNESCO,” he said during the unveiling ceremony.
Floros stated that he chose to make the sculpture out of bronze as it is “a strong and timeless material – just like Callas’ talent and legacy”.
He also expressed immense satisfaction that, following exhibitions in Venice and Rome, his work is now being showcased at UNESCO, “an organization that protects the culture and memory of the world”.
Liborio Stellino, Italy’s Permanent Delegate, stressed that by placing the statue at the UNESCO building, “we are not only paying tribute to her birthplace in Greece or to Italy where she triumphed, but we are first and foremost honouring the universal and timeless character of her art”.
