Alkis Voliotis, a painter and art conservator based in Antibes in southern France, spoke about the personal journey that took him from Greece to France in the 1970s and the legal dispute over “Chiron the Centaur,” a sculpture by French sculptor Yvon Le Bellec. Donated to Volos, the work has since become the subject of controversy and suffered damage. He spoke on Voice of Greece’s “Our Global Voice” with Dimitris Kontogiannis.
Voliotis, who helped bring the sculpture from France to his native Magnesia, has joined the sculptor’s family in taking legal action to revoke the donation. Citing neglect, damage, and the absence of the original base, they have submitted photographs and an expert’s report. The Municipality of South Pelion, for its part, maintains that it rescued the sculpture, which is now installed at the Choreftria roundabout in South Pelion.
Voliotis said he would like the dispute to be resolved before a final court ruling, as the Municipality of South Pelion could face legal costs and other expenses. He added that both he and the sculptor’s family would like the work to be relocated to the Foloi area of Ancient Olympia, which is associated with the Centaurs.