The scheduled cleaning of the emblematic sculpture “Dromeas” by Kostas Varotsos was completed by the Municipality of Athens in collaboration with the company Kärcher Greece, as part of the actions for the maintenance of the public works of art of the capital. The works were carried out in the Square of the Great School of the Nation and were implemented by the Directorates of Cleaning-Recycling, Electrical, Greenery-Urban Fauna, as well as the Organization of Culture, Sports and Youth (OPANDA).
The Mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, underlined the importance of the action, noting that the “Dromeas” is an “emblematic landmark for the city”. As he mentioned, the Municipality proceeds with this specialized process approximately every two years, in collaboration with Kärcher. “It is a great effort, because we are preserving a symbol. We are preserving the monuments of Athens in their glory. They are the history and memory of the city,” she said characteristically.
For her part, the Deputy Mayor for Cleanliness and Recycling, Roxani Bey, stressed that cleaning the sculpture requires “very delicate handling,” as the work is an integral element of the urban landscape. The work, with the assistance of Kärcher, lasted many hours and was carried out in three phases, using environmentally friendly methods. “We work for clean neighborhoods and clean monuments,” she said.
The cleaning was carried out with modern, high-precision equipment from Kärcher, while the Municipality assisted by providing water, electricity, access and fencing of the area, ensuring public safety and the protection of greenery.
The three phases of cleaning
- Decontamination with a special alkaline solution (RM31)
- Rinse with hot water under pressure at 60°C
- Final rinse with deionized water, to avoid salt stains
The sculpture-symbol of Athens
The “Runner”, created in 1988 by Kostas Varotsos, is a reference point of modern Athens. With thousands of glass plates that reflect light, it symbolizes the constant movement and energy of the city. Its daily exposure to pollution and weather conditions makes it a demanding project in terms of its maintenance, making such specialized interventions necessary.
The action is part of the strategy of the Municipality of Athens for the systematic maintenance and promotion of public works of art, contributing to the preservation of cultural heritage and the enhancement of the aesthetic quality of urban space.
