The irresistible urge of the Greeks to write poetry

In this essay, Ambassador and writer Vasilis Papadopoulos presents George Seferis from an original perspective, emphasising Seferis the diplomat and the way his career influenced his literary work. He begins by discussing his poetry in a simple and accessible manner, before moving on to his professional life, his difficult relationship with the Foreign Ministry and politicians, and his constant complaints, such as that his diplomatic career did not allow him to devote sufficient time to poetry. Subsequently, however, he examines how his profession aided his poetic creation and refers to other diplomat-writers, seven of whom have been honoured with the Nobel Prize in Literature, such as Pablo Neruda (Chile) and Saint-John Perse (France). He also traces the imprint and influence of Seferis’s diplomatic career in his poems, set against the backdrop of the difficult times in which he lived. Finally, it analyses Seferis’s official language in relation to his poetic language and presents declassified documents and telegrams from all the posts he held as a diplomat, following research in the historical archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The differences and commonalities in his language and style are identified, which in both cases remain austere, dignified and concise. Seferian.

A series of essays on the mark left by Greek culture on a global scale, particularly through literature, language and the masterpieces written in Greek, which have shaped the course of world history. This study focuses primarily on poetry, which has characterised Greek intellectual creativity throughout the ages, whilst also exploring other avenues: historical continuity, questions of aesthetics, cultural interactions, major literary figures, issues of political correctness, the foundations of identity, and more. With in-depth knowledge, years of study and a simple, accessible language that pays tribute to the subject matter and its pioneers, the collection offers readers the opportunity to discover the realm of Greek poetic discourse through its remarkable peculiarities and some of its most significant voices throughout history (Kornaros, Solomos, Cavafy, Seferis, Engonopoulos, etc.).

Sister of the Bulgar-Slayer, a princess born into the splendour of Constantinople, Anna is forced to marry Vladimir, the ruler of Kiev, on the condition that all his subjects be baptised as Orthodox Christians. A humble court scribe, in love with the princess, follows her to Chersonesos in Crimea and then to her new homeland. In his old age, he reminisces about the great adventure they shared, from the luxuries and intrigues of the Byzantine court to life in poor, frozen Kiev. How they faced the reactions of the powerful to the temptations and dangers of power, and how they devoted themselves to the endeavour of transmitting Byzantine culture to the Varangians and Slavs of Eastern Europe. A historical novel about power, politics, love, the common nature of humanity, and the distant beginnings of a cultural transformation that has shaped the identity of Russians, Ukrainians and Belarusians to this day.