The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki awarded Ioanna Paliospyrou

«I always think and try in difficult times. And I say that I can not go back and disappoint all this world that has supported me. So I have to look strong, I have to try and all that is a motivation for me “. These are the words of Ioanna Paliospyrou, the woman who a year ago was attacked with vitriol, who turned her whole life upside down. Today, Ioanna Paliospyrou was awarded in the context of an event entitled “Soul Power, Nature and HealthWhich was organized in Tellogleio, the postgraduate program “Applications of Psychology in Health»Of the Department of Medicine, AUTh.

«It is a great honor and pleasure for me to be here today, but also a recognition. And thank you so much for inviting me to attend and participate in the mental health event, which is a very important issue – and I think it touches us all.Said Ioanna Paliospyrou.

She also mentioned that it had never crossed her mind that the whole of Greece would talk about her and that she would receive so much love from the world that he would make her an example to follow. «I, whatever I did, did it trying to survive and get back on my feet. But for me it is a great satisfaction, that through all this very ugly, something beautiful has come out for many people” he said.

When asked where he got the energy from, he replied: “I think this is a bit complex. That is, the power definitely came from my character and from my soul I believe. But I got strength from both my family and the doctors. I have received incredible support, a lot of support mainly from the world. Always in difficult times I think and try and say, that I can not go back and disappoint all this world that has supported me. So I have to look strong, I have to try and all that is a motivation for me».

The Undersecretary of Interior, in charge of Macedonia-Thrace, Stavros Kalafatis, noted that tonight’s event honors the real brave, those who have soul power. “In the face of Ioanna and not only, we reward, we bow our heads reverently, we say a big thumbs up and we encourage the whole world to be able to follow these steps of soul, bravery and courage. We all lived the great martyrdom story of Ioanna, but also her courage, and to forgive, and to come forward, and to open new roads in a society that really needs them “added Mr. Kalafatis

During the event, in addition to Ioanna Paliospyrou, two students of Mantoulidis schools were also awarded, who participated in the program “Academy of Nature 2021-2022”. The director of the postgraduate program “Applications of Psychology in Health” of the Medical Department of AUTh, Associate Professor Efharis Panagopoulou, described the winners as examples of soul strength, but also examples to be imitated.

Referring to the award of students I. Tsiggalidis and C. Boutari, Ms. Panagopoulou noted: “We have started an effort in the coronavirus, to do life skills training for children and adolescents. But we do not do it in the classroom, we do it in nature. So we connect the skill of living in nature with the skills of self-knowledge and survival in our daily lives. The children in the coronavirus participated with great joy and the program extends to all of Thessaloniki and we hope to all of Greece as well “.

The author of children’s books, Katrina Tsantaliwho was a speaker at the event, said: “T.Ioanna has said everything and when we talk about soul power, I do not think there is any other example». At the same time, he noted that it is a very important night for the two children who are awarded, as they overcame some special challenges and finished the school year.