A New “Alexander the Great” Chair to Be Established at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

A major new academic initiative is about to launch in Thessaloniki, bringing global attention to Greece’s rich historical and cultural heritage. On June 30, 2025, the rectors of the five universities in the regions of Macedonia and Thrace convened—at the invitation of Deputy Minister of Interior Kostas Gioulekas and with the participation of Deputy Minister of Education Nikos Papaïwannou—to agree on the founding of a dedicated Chair in Alexander the Great Studies within the Faculty of Philosophy at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) .

As Deputy Minister Gioulekas emphasized, "We decided it is essential to establish a Chair focused on the history of Alexander the Great, which is currently missing in our homeland, and this must proceed" . Although AUTH will serve as the base, the initiative is designed as a transdisciplinary collaboration involving all five regional universities (ipaidia.gr).

This institution is expected to become a hub for historians, postgraduate students, and international researchers, centralizing resources and scholarship about Alexander—“the greatest and most important Greek of all time” .

Importantly, the project is being framed within the context of cultural diplomacy. Gioulekas noted that the Chair “is expected to attract many students from abroad” and, especially at a time when historical narratives are under scrutiny, “having it located at AUTH—in the heart of Macedonia and the largest university in Southeast Europe—sends a message” (xronometro.com).

From their side, officials from both the public and private sectors are expected to support and finance the Chair, and a working group at the Ministry for Macedonia and Thrace will be established to gather needs and suggestions from local actors and international partners . Deputy Minister Papaïwannou pointed out that in the past year, around €600 million—largely from EU recovery funds—has been allocated into Greek public universities, enabling infrastructure and excellence programs, as well as links between research and industry .

As someone interested in Greece’s cultural landscape, this development signals a few key points:

1. Revitalization of Hellenistic Scholarship
   Greece is asserting its role as the academic epicenter for studying Alexander—providing international scholars with centralized archives, seminars, and collaborative networks.

2. Strategic Cultural Diplomacy
   At a time of contested historical narratives in the Balkans and beyond, the Chair represents Greece’s active engagement in the global discourse surrounding Hellenistic legacy.

3. Interdisciplinary and International Scope
   By design, the Chair invites historians, archaeologists, political scientists, and foreign-language experts—transforming Thessaloniki into a melting pot for cross-disciplinary projects.

4. Economic and Educational Impact
   With substantial funding behind it, the Chair may help draw international students and researchers, aiding both university prestige and regional development.

For foreign academics, researchers, and institutions, the establishment of this Chair is a golden opportunity to collaborate deeply with Greek scholars in the cradle of Alexander’s cultural heritage. It’s a statement: Greece is not only reclaiming its ancient past but inviting the world to study and engage with it—right from the source in Macedonia.