Book events at home, abroad
Greece is to have a national stand for the first time at the Istanbul Book Fair, which runs from Friday to December 22. The Hellenic Federation of Publishers and Booksellers (POEB), the National Book Center (EKEBI) and the Culture Ministry are supporting this project in the effort to promote Greek books abroad. The Turkish Publishers Association, which is organizing the fair, is keen to develop cooperation between the two countries in the book sector. The Greek contingent – writers Maria Efstathiadi, Takis Theodoropoulos and Petros Tatsopoulos, together with representatives of POEB and EKEBI – will also visit the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Greek schools in Istanbul and the local Greek community. Cyberspace verse Greek poetry is going online at Poetry International Web (PIW), www.poetryinternational.org in just a few weeks’ time. EKEBI has been collaborating with the International Poetry Festival of Rotterdam and the German website Lyrikline.org for more than a year, and EKEBI’s poetry committee has selected the poems that will appear on the website. Initially, there will be 10 poems each by Cavafy, Seferis, Elytis, Sachtouris and Dimoula, accompanied by introductory articles. More poetry will be added gradually to build up a solid archive. Poetry readings The popular Athenian haunt To Baraki tou Vassili is starting to hold evening poetry readings. Giorgos Drandakis is reading his on December 18, 6.30 p.m., 3 Diodotou, Kolonaki, tel 210.362.3625 Literary cinema Apollon Filmcenter has launched a series of Sunday morning meetings with literary cinema, organized by the Greek Film Center and EKEBI. Screenings are followed by round-table discussions. The first cycle of films is called «Erotic Writing» and this week’s film is Patrice Chereau’s «Intimacy,» based on Hanif Kureishi’s book of the same name. Later cycles are «Fingerprints,» «Classical Values» and «The Myth of the Left.» 11.30 a.m., 19 Stadiou, tel 210.323.6811.
