The series "Testimonies" documents the unique experience and knowledge of prominent contemporary scholars who vividly reimagine images, memories, and historical studies. Each volume testifies vividly, embodying the heartfelt sighs of the author-narrator and offers itself as a valuable aid to the future seeker of authentic historical knowledge.
The text is a personal testimony about the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Thessaloniki and refers to a period of acknowledged flourishing of this faculty. The narrative, which spans the duration of the author's studies (1955–1960), is mainly based on his experiences, though its historical context is defined by globally and locally significant events published in newspapers of the time.
The high-level scholarship of many distinguished teachers of the Faculty, as well as the adherence of most of them to the principles of Educational Demoticism, solidified in public opinion the reputation of a progressive institution that noticeably differentiates itself from the corresponding faculty in Athens.
The testimony focuses on the functioning of the Faculty of Philosophy within the evolving university environment. However, it also keenly observes the daily life, living conditions of students, and their extracurricular activities in locations that mark Thessaloniki of that era.
Nikos Dim. Varmatzis hails from Pieria. He studied at the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Thessaloniki and graduated from the classical department with excellence. He obtained a postgraduate diploma in Pedagogy from the Department of Philosophy and Pedagogy of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and was awarded a doctorate from the same department.
He served in Secondary Education for 38 consecutive years (1961–1999). He worked at the American College of Boys Anatolia, in Skotoussa, Serres, at the Experimental School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and as a School Advisor for philologists in the regions of Chalkidiki and Thessaloniki. In 1999, he was appointed assistant professor in the Department of Philosophy and Pedagogy of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, specializing in the teaching of ancient Greek.
In various literary journals, collective and honorary volumes, over 30 literary studies of his on Ancient and Modern Greek Language and Literature, History, and the History of Education have been published.
