A video has sparked widespread outrage in Greece. It shows a young man using offensive language and spitting on the statue of Antonis Katsantonis, a celebrated hero of the pre-revolutionary Greek struggle.
The incident took place at the Thematic Youth Park in the Municipality of Kordelio—Evosmos, near Thessaloniki, where the statue stands as a tribute to the hero.
The video, shared on Instagram, quickly went viral as many viewers expressed disgust and called for the young man to be held accountable for his actions. The statue, a symbol of Greece’s rich revolutionary history, is highly regarded, and the defacement has caused significant backlash from the public.
Giorgos Kikotis, a well-known Greek sculptor, joined the chorus of outrage, posting on social media to demand the vandal’s exemplary punishment. Kikotis emphasized the importance of respecting historical monuments and the values they represent.
In response to the incident, a team from the Cleanliness Department of the Municipality of Kordelio–Evosmos visited the site to clean and restore the statue. Efforts were made to ensure that the artwork was properly repaired. Still, the incident remains a poignant reminder of the growing tensions around preserving historical symbols in modern Greece.
The incident has fueled an ongoing debate about respect for national heritage and citizens’ responsibility in safeguarding cultural landmarks. Authorities are reportedly investigating the case, and many are calling for harsher penalties to deter future acts of vandalism against monuments to national heroes.