The Library of the University of Crete honors the memory of Emeritus Professor Alexis Politis (1945–2025). The University of Crete commemorates him by naming the extension of its Library in Rethymno after him; the new wing will henceforth be called the “Alexis Politis Wing.” The naming ceremony will take place on Friday, March 6, 2026, at 6:30 PM, at the University of Crete Library in Rethymno (Gallos Campus).

Alexis Politis was one of the most influential scholars of Modern Greek literature and cultural history, whose groundbreaking research transformed the study of Greek folk poetry and its role in shaping national identity. As Professor of Modern Greek Philology at the University of Crete from 1989 onward, he helped establish the University as a leading center for Greek studies through his pioneering publications, visionary teaching, and his role in developing research resources such as the Anemi Digital Library. His work demonstrated that folk tradition is not a static inheritance but a dynamic cultural process shaped by historical interpretation, offering new insight into how modern Greek identity was formed and understood. His intellectual rigor, generosity, and lasting contributions continue to inspire scholars, students, and readers worldwide, and his legacy remains deeply embedded in the academic life of the University of Crete and the broader field of Hellenic studies.

To read more about his life and work, see the University of Crete Newsletter Issue#16, page 5:

https://www.uoc.gr/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/16_may_june_25.pdf