Statue of Georgios Vizyinos

The statue of Georgios Vizyinos, created by sculptor Athanasios Alexiadis, is located in Thessaloniki at the intersection of Agiou Dimitriou Street and Vizyinos Street, which bears his name. Georgios Vizyinos (pen name of Georgios Michael Syrmas) was born in Vizy in Eastern Thrace on March 8, 1849. Orphaned at a young age and coming from a poor family, he endured a difficult life but managed to establish himself as a distinguished writer.

After studying at the Faculty of Philosophy in Athens and in Germany, Vizyinos was appointed lecturer in the History of Philosophy at the University of Athens. He wrote significant works such as "To amartima tis mitros mou" (The Sin of My Mother) and "Poios itan o phonefs tou adelfou mou" (Who Was the Murderer of My Brother). However, his life was fraught with challenges, and he eventually ended up in the Dromokaiteio Psychiatric Hospital, where he died in 1896 at the age of 47.

The statue depicts Vizyinos wearing a hat and suit, holding a book titled "Attic Breezes." The marble base of the statue inscribes his name, place of origin, birth and death dates, as well as excerpts from his poems, reflecting his sorrow and nostalgia. The placement of the statue opposite the Evangelistria Cemetery, near the universities, emphasizes his significance as a spiritual and cultural figure in Thessaloniki.