Bust of Ioannis Poulakas
Bust of Ioannis Poulakas
In memory of the beloved hero of the Macedonian Struggle
The bust of Ioannis Poulakas, a Cretan fighter of the Macedonian Struggle, now stands in a prominent location at Aristotelous Square in the heart of Thessaloniki.
Poulakas was born in Therisso, Chania, and was one of the most renowned and beloved combatants of the Macedonian Struggle. He arrived in Macedonia in October 1904 to support Pavlos Melas, actively participating in the armed resistance of the time. His life was tragically cut short in 1908, when he was assassinated in a gambling club in Thessaloniki—an incident that sparked political unrest in Athens, only calmed by the intervention of Eleftherios Venizelos.
His bust, created by sculptor Ioannis Kanakakis, depicts him realistically, dressed in traditional Cretan attire and in a warrior’s posture. His head tilts slightly to the left, conveying vigilance and determination. The work honors his heroism and ultimate sacrifice.
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