A new Guinness World record was achieved at Thessaloniki’s White Tower monument on May 31, as volunteers created a giant replica of the city’s landmark building using origami, the traditional Japanese art of paper folding. 

Forty thousand origami lotus flowers were used to craft the giant mosaic, which was created by the city’s waterfront, at the iconic Aristotelous Square. 

More than 6,000 participants of all ages were taught how to make origami lotus flowers by volunteers and were able to put together a 400m² mosaic, which will find its way to the Guinness Book of records, surpassing the previous record by more than 80m².

The event was organized by the City’s Deputy Mayorship for Youth, in cooperation with the Japanese Embassy and Origami Fantasy Group, and it aimed at fostering recycling.