Category: Reading Greece

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Reading Greece
Reading Greece2 days ago
📚🍂What a better way to welcome September than by reading a beautiful #poem by Kostis Palamas, masterfully translated by Maria Blana.

Kostis Palamas (1859–1943) was one of the most influential figures of modern Greek #literature and a central representative of the so-called "Generation of the 1880s." A prolific #poet, critic, and intellectual, he is often regarded as one of Greece's "national poets", having shaped the country’s literary identity during a period of cultural and political transformation. Palamas championed the use of the demotic (vernacular) Greek #language in literature, and his works blend personal lyricism with philosophical depth, national ideals, and universal themes.

His monumental poem "The Twelve Lays of the Gypsy" is considered a cornerstone of modern Greek poetry, and his legacy remains vital in the history of European letters. The poem 15, from his collection "Iambs and Anapaests" (1907), celebrates the transcendence of natural beauty—an awe-inspiring sunset that becomes both a cosmic revelation and a reflection on human fragility.

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Maria Blana was born and raised in Volos. She studied Law and English Language, Literature & Culture at the University of Athens. Her poems, articles, and translations have been published in Greek and international literary magazines. In 2020, she released her poetry collection of urban haiku, “In the Crack of Concrete – The City in the Way of Haiku” (published by Smili – shortlisted for the Jean Moréas Award and the State Award for Emerging Poets).

She has translated, among others, Charles Dickens [“A Christmas Carol”, (Koukoutsi 2018), “Christmas Stories”, (Perispomeni 2021)], Jackie Kay [“The Adoption Papers”, (Loggia 2023)], Peter Shaffer [“Equus”, (Iridanos, 2024)], and Susan Sontag [“The Volcano Lover”, (Gutenberg 2025)]. He has edited children's books. He lives and works in Athens.
Reading Greece
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Reading Greece
Reading Greece4 days ago
📚📚On the occasion of his new poetry collection "Losing time" (Έναστρον Εκδόσεις, 2025), writer Yagos Platis spoke to Reading Greece about how time in its multi-faceted aspects is poetically expressed in his work, his poetic language and the role of readers and small book–oriented communities as more important than ever.
Reading Greece
Reading Greece: Yagos Platis – “The role of readers and small book-oriented communities is probably more important than ever”
Yagos Platis was born in 1993. He studied Sociology at Panteion University and had a Master’s Degree in Media and Communications (City University of London). He is working as an editor and a communication specialist. He is also a musician and a dj. He lives in Athens. Your latest writing venture X...
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Reading Greece
Reading Greece1 week ago
📌The 15th International Symposium on the #Odyssey titled “The Homeric Epics in Greek Drama” will take place in Ithaca from 29 August to 1 September 2025.

The Symposium is organized by the Center for Odyssean Studies and the Municipality of Ithaca with the participation of distinguished Greek and foreign academics. Among the issues to be discussed are: “Aspects of life in epic and #tragedy”, “Epic echoes in #drama”, and “Epic heroes and their tragic transformation”.

To learn more about the programme and the participants visit
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https://centerforodysseanstudies.gr/en/news/programme-of-the-15th-international-symposium-on-the-odyssey/
Reading Greece
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