A new statue of Prometheus, symbolizing the enduring spirit and vital contribution of Greece’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and professionals, was officially unveiled at Pedion tou Areos, a central public park in Athens.
The unveiling ceremony, held at the junction of Alexandras Avenue and Mavrommataion Street, marked the 100th anniversary of the Athens Chamber of Tradesmen (EEA). The event drew prominent figures from the nation’s political and business spheres, including the President of the Hellenic Parliament, Konstantinos Tasoulas, Minister of Development Takis Theodorikakos, and Mayor of Athens Haris Doukas.
A symbolic act for Greece’s small and medium-sized enterprises
The statue is a first for Greece, explicitly dedicated to the nation’s SMEs and professionals, acknowledging their crucial role as the backbone of the Greek economy and society. The choice of Prometheus, the mythical hero who stole fire from the gods to give to humanity, serves as the EEA’s official emblem.
Delivering the central address, President Tasoulas highlighted the profound symbolism of the monument.
“The erection of the Prometheus statue… constitutes a symbolic yet substantial act of recognition of the contribution of small and medium-sized enterprises to our country,” he stated. “It is worth noting that it will be the first statue in Greece dedicated to the struggles of our SMEs.”
Prometheus: The archetype of entrepreneurial spirit
The President elaborated on the mythological resonance of Prometheus with the entrepreneurial ethos, framing the struggle of SMEs not merely as an economic function but as a heroic endeavor.
“Prometheus is the archetype of the human struggle for knowledge, freedom, and progress,” Tasoulas explained. “His daring act of stealing fire from the gods and offering it to humans symbolizes the transition from the darkness of ignorance to the light of creation.”
He went on to compare the spirit of the mythical titan to the modern business owner, calling them “poets of action, small heroes of risk-taking.”
“They are carriers of freedom, in the sense of autonomy, creation, and resistance to uniformity. They are the visionary realists who choose to build something of their own… the fighters of life, who face the uncertainty of our volatile times with resilience and faith.”
The ceremony powerfully affirmed that the fire Prometheus gave humanity is not just natural fire, but the flame of technology, art, and science—a direct metaphor for the innovation and persistent effort provided by Greece’s independent professionals and business owners, who, he concluded, “are the pillars of the Greek economy.”
