Statue of Alexandros Papanastasiou

The statue of Alexandros Papanastasiou, a prominent figure in Greek politics and the founder of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, is an important monument on the university campus. The statue, created by the renowned sculptor Giannis Pappas, was placed at the center of the campus, in front of the Law School, in 1976. Standing at a height of two and a half meters and made of bronze, the statue stands imposingly on a marble pedestal, framed by a marble backdrop behind it.

Papanastasiou is depicted holding the "Democratic Manifesto," published on February 12, 1922. This historic document, co-authored with other prominent politicians of the time, strongly criticized the royalist governments for their handling of the Asia Minor Crisis, a move that led to his arrest and imprisonment.

Beyond its artistic value, the statue has also gained symbolic significance. Students often choose to take commemorative photos next to it on their graduation day, making it a part of their academic journey and connecting them to the university's history.