The National Gallery in Athens has temporarily closed its doors following a far-right Member of Parliament’s attack on several artworks on Monday, March 10, 2025.
The MP, Nikolaos Papadopoulos of the ultranationalist Niki party, was arrested and now faces charges of aggravated vandalism, classified as a serious crime under Greek law, according to state broadcaster ERT.
The incident unfolded when Papadopoulos stormed into the National Gallery—also known as the Alexander Soutsos Museum—at around 11:35 AM, forcibly removing artworks from the walls and throwing them to the ground while shouting, “They insult our religion.” The targeted pieces were part of the exhibition “The Allure of the Bizarre,” which features ten Greek artists exploring themes of the strange, hybrid, and grotesque. The exhibition, running alongside a display of Francisco Goya’s “Los Caprichos” until September 30, 2025, included works by artist Christophoros Katsadiotis, notably a caricature of the Virgin Mary with Christ and a depiction of Saint George as “The Butcher of the Avenue,” which Papadopoulos had previously decried as blasphemous.
Before the attack, Papadopoulos had formally demanded the removal of these exhibits, sending a letter to the gallery’s management and raising the issue in Parliament with Culture Minister Lina Mendoni, whom he accused of “anti-Christian dogmatism.” After his arrest, he was detained for several hours before being released, charged with a misdemeanor for minor property damage due to parliamentary immunity laws. Papadopoulos later claimed the artworks had “slipped” from his hands and threatened legal action against the gallery, alleging unlawful detention.
The National Gallery’s Board of Directors issued a statement condemning the act: “We unreservedly denounce every act of vandalism, violence, and censorship that violates the constitutionally guaranteed freedom of expression.” The gallery released photographs of the damaged artworks, including four pieces by Katsadiotis from his “Icon” series and Saint Christopher (2020), and confirmed that restoration efforts are underway.
The incident has sparked intense debate across Greek society. Some view Papadopoulos’ actions as vandalism, while others see him as a defender of Orthodox Christian values, which the Greek Constitution recognizes as the state’s primary religion. The outlet ProNews.gr criticized the gallery’s leadership, arguing that its director should face legal consequences for hosting “blasphemous” exhibitions on state property, and called the MP’s detention illegal. Independent MP and lawyer Pavlos Sarakis echoed this, questioning the grounds for Papadopoulos’ detention and demanding clarity on who authorized it. ProNews.gr further argued that in a Muslim-majority country, such an artist might face severe repercussions, underscoring their view that the state failed its duty to protect Orthodoxy.
Katsadiotis defended his work, stating, “An artist has the right to express their perspective and ask questions, even if it challenges norms.” Critics, including the New Left party, condemned the vandalism as “a brutal act of disrespect and regression,” warning of the dangers far-right extremism poses to democracy and culture. PASOK MP Nagia Grigorakou added, “Acts of vandalism against art and free expression cannot be tolerated in a democratic society.”
The gallery’s closure has reignited broader discussions on the intersection of politics, religion, and artistic freedom in Greece, with calls for stronger protections for cultural institutions amid rising tensions.
