New literary season off to a lively start
The European Translation Center (EKEMEL) is fielding an all-star international lineup of literary notables at its first major event this Sunday (September 30, 7.30 p.m.) at the Foreign Press Association, 23 Academias. Translator Pedro Badenas de La Pena, philosopher-poet Michel Deguy, poet and publisher Michel Kruger, poet and translator Titos Patrikios, writer Jorge Semprun, and journalists Florence Noiville and Alix McSweeney will address the topic: The trials and tribulations of translation. Thirty years on The Seventies Generation is the focus of the new season’s first Logopaignia (Wordplay) meetings, run by the National Book Council (EKEBI). Poets Yiannis Kontos and Costas Papagiorgiou and writer Dimitris Kalokyris ushered in the latest series on September 24, with their discussion of The Seventies Generation – Thirty Years On. Kalokyris, who published the influential periodical Tram during the ’70s, spoke about the literary journals of that period. Kontos analyzed the literary style of the period, which he believes was characterized by its humor, inventiveness and use of language. Papagiorgiou examined the poetry of the time and the extent to which it could be described as postwar poetry. The next Wordplay meeting at 8 p.m. on Monday, October 1, also deals with the Seventies Generation. Literary critic Alexis Zyras, writer Roula Kaklamanaki, critic Stephanos Rozanis and poet Sotiris Trivizas will be discussing The Seventies Generation – Thirty Years On. Whatever happened to the promising and well-received generation of poets? The Wordplay events are organized by Elena Houzouri and held at the Arena Room of EKEBI’s headquarters at 4 Athanassiou Diakou, 3rd floor (Acropolis Metro Station). Angelos Sikelianos The Stoa tou Vivliou is holding the fourth in its Poet’s Rostrum series in honor of Angelos Sikelianos, to mark the 50th anniversary of the poet’s death. On October 1 at 8 p.m. in the Logou Room, academic and writer Ritsa Frang- kou-Kilkilia will speak on the political elements of the poet’s work, while writer Giorgos Koropoulis will talk about his poetry. Actor Eva Kotamanidou will read from the work of Sikelianos. Poet’s Rostrum, a new monthly event started in March 2001 by the Stoa tou Vivliou to discuss and promote poetry and poets, is addressed to both specialists and the general public. The organizers say the series has met with a warm reception from the public, confirming that poetry maintains its appeal in what they describe as a largely unpoetic environment. I quickly informed the German progressives, student organizations, intellectuals and trade unions, and there was a huge protest, one they weren’t expecting. Thousands of people were shouting in the corridors of the fair, Ka-to o fa-si-smos (down with fascism), which I had written down for them in Latin characters. This great crowd moved toward the junta’s stand and smashed everything up. This was a wonderful demonstration of German solidarity with the Greek people.
