City officials, church and Greek society leaders and many others gathered Saturday at Wilder Park in Aurora for the unveiling of a new monument installed in honor of the 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution.
The 20-foot monument, valued at $100,000, was provided by the American Philhellenes Society — a Chicago-based nonprofit that, according to a city press release, was “created to identify, highlight and honor Americans who supported or fought for Greek independence during Greek independence.” the years 1810 to 1840.”
The monument itself would weigh 20 tons, authorities said.
The group contacted the city late last year to request permission to install the monument here in Aurora given that it is the second largest city in the state and “due to “Aurora’s unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusion, and in collaboration with Aurora’s thriving Greek community.”
Clayton Muhammad, Aurora’s director of communications and equity, said the city “has always viewed Aurora as one community of Aurora” and that “being able to erect a monument is important in honor of those who have led the Greek Revolution and continued the work of connecting Greece to America.”
He called Saturday’s event a “new cultural milestone.”
“Aurora’s Greek community has played an important role in Aurora’s progress for some time and certainly under this administration,” he said. “We look forward to showcasing the city’s commitment to growth, diversity and inclusion.” Diversity is a fact – inclusion is an act. This monument says a lot about the Greek community and its connection to Aurora.
City officials hope other organizations will come forward to donate monuments, making this part of Wilder Park a monument zone.
Saturday’s ceremony included the presence of Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin, as well as His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago and leaders of the American Philhellenes Society.
Georgia Nikolopoulos, wife of Panagiotis Nikolopoulos, president of the American Philhellenes Society, spoke on her husband’s behalf and said the society “worked for a long, long time to get this monument up and running.”
She spoke about the monument’s location and said that when it came to putting it in Aurora, “the city was much more welcoming.”
“We’ve approached certain areas of Chicago and haven’t received a lot of positive feedback. The late Mayor (Tom) Weisner and now Mayor Irvin have just been with open arms – welcoming and asking what you need from us – and got things going,” she said. “Aurora’s reputation precedes itself in terms of welcome and inclusion. Its location is central enough that everyone can get there easily.
City officials, including Alex Alexandrou, Aurora’s chief executive officer, and Nikolopoulos, said the monument and the history surrounding it “will be used as part of the curriculum in Aurora schools” and that they “will become an educational tool”.
“It is not for my generation because in theory we know that, but for my children, our grandchildren, whether they are Greek or not,” Nikolopoulos said. “We think it’s a part of history that people should know.”
Illinois State Sen. Linda Holmes, D-Aurora, spoke before the ceremony, noting that the monument reflects her own heritage since she is half Greek.
“It’s kind of a testament to how diverse and welcoming Aurora is,” she said. “It’s a perfect place for it.”
People connected to the Greek community, including Angelo Dallas of Glenview, said it was important for him to see the installation Saturday as a Greek-American himself.
“I think it’s a good place for the statue,” he said.
David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
