A monumental mural depicting legendary opera singer Maria Callas in the city of Kalamata has been awarded Best Mural of the Year at the 2025 Street Art Cities Awards, earning international acclaim for Greek street art, according to tovima.com.
The artwork, painted on a prominent building along Aristomenous Street in Kalamata’s city centre, was created by Greek street artist Kleomenis Kostopoulos, widely known as KLE. The mural stood out among hundreds of entries from around the world and secured the top honour following a combined process of public voting and evaluation by an expert jury.
Commenting on the award, Kostopoulos described the achievement as a collective success. “From a small city street to the top of the world. Finally we did it, we gave a wall a voice and it was heard everywhere,” he said. “Thank you Street Art Cities for the invitation and hospitality, and a big, warm thank you to everyone who voted, shared and talked about my work. This distinction is collective.”
The large-scale mural transforms the urban landscape of Kalamata, celebrating the enduring legacy of Callas while adding artistic depth, colour and emotion to the coastal city’s public space. Through the powerful portrait, the artist connects history and contemporary expression in a setting accessible to all.
The award places Kalamata among leading international destinations for street art, demonstrating how public artworks can act as cultural symbols and enhance a city’s global profile.
Maria Callas, an American-born Greek soprano, is regarded as one of the most influential opera performers of the 20th century.
Street Art Cities, established in 2016, is an international platform dedicated to documenting and promoting street art in more than 2,500 cities worldwide.
Source: tovima.com
