Statue Gogo Petridis

The statue of Gogos Petridis, the legendary virtuoso of the Pontic lyre, was erected in 1987, three years after his death, in honour of the great musician and patriarch of the Pontic lyre. The statue was placed on the island of Metamorphosis Street, near the Municipal Theatre of Kalamaria, and is the work of the Association of Pontian Matsoukas.

Gagos Petridis, son of the famous lyrist Stavris Petridis, continued the family tradition, although his mother was initially opposed to this path. His first contact with the lyre was through his father, and despite the difficulties, Gagos developed into an innovative musician, combining traditional Pontic sounds with other musical genres, including folk and European music. His fame spread everywhere, and he became known not only in Northern Greece but also more widely, mainly due to his performances with the Royal Theatre of Thessaloniki.

The statue depicts Gagos Petridis seated, wearing a costume, and playing his beloved lyre. This pose reflects his deep connection with the music and cultural heritage of Pontus. His gaze is calm, reflecting the wisdom and experience he has gained during his life as a musician and representative of the Pontian culture.