athens by night Photo

Photographer’s Note

I like walking around the city especially during the night…everything looks so different that time…
the lights here were so eye-catching that drew my attention…I did my best to capture the atmosphere of that place…I tilted the frame because I liked it more…

This is the Old parliament of Athens, very close to Syntagma square and next to the National Historical Museum at Stadiou Avenue…In front of the old parliament is the statue of Charilaos Trikoupis, a Greek politician who served as a Prime Minister of Greece seven times from 1875 until 1895. The statue was made by Thomas Thomopoulos, greek sculptor & painter.

Charilaos Trikoupis born in Nauplion in 1832, with family ties to Messolonghi, he was the son of Spiridon Trikoupis, a politician who was Prime Minister of Greece briefly in 1833, and Ekaterini Mavrokordatos, sister of Alexandros Mavrokordatos, who also served as a Prime Minister.

His sixth turn in office (June 22, 1892 – May 15, 1893) was a dramatic one. The country's treasury had been depleted by overspending and systemic corruption often caused by political campaigns in which parties promised massive spending programs. Trikoupis stood before parliament and made the most famous statement of his career: "Regretfully, we are bankrupt". The servicing of foreign loans was suspended, and all non-essential spending was cut.

Trikoupis was again in power from November 11, 1893 until January 24, 1895. It was during that time that the planning for the 1896 Summer Olympics was begun. Trikoupis was skeptical about the games, fearing that the country could not shoulder the cost. He was convinced, eventually, to host them, and made the needed arrangements. This would be his last term in office.

Trikoupis tried to make terms with the creditors of his nation, but he failed in this also. The taxation measures he proposed aroused great hostility, and in January, 1895 he resigned. At the general election, four months later, he and his Modernist Party were defeated.

Trikoupis died on April, 1896.

Have a nice WE & thank you for your visit :)