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The shortlist for the State Literary Translation Awards in the categories ‘intradilingual translation’ and ‘translation of a work of foreign literature into Greek’ was finalised yesterday by the relevant Committee.Specifically, the State Literary Translation Awards Committee unanimously agreed on the works comprising the ‘shortlist’, which are: 1. C. P. Cavafy, Selected Prose Works, translated by Peter Jeffreys, Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press.2. Kiki Dimoula, Le peu du monde: suivi de Je te salue jamais, translated by Michel Volkovitch, Paris: Gallimard. 3. Nikos Fokas, The Known: Selected Poems, 1981–2000, translated by Don Schofield, Athens: Ypsilon. 4. Alexandros Papadiamantis, La asesina, translated by Laura Salas Rodriguez, Cáceres: Periférica. 5. Emmanuil Roidis, Relatos de Siros: recuerdos y reflexiones, translated by Carmen Vilela, Seville: University of Seville. Regarding Michel Volkovitch’s translation of Kiki Dimoula’s work, the committee states the reasoning behind its selection: "In his French translation of Kiki Dimoula’s two poetry collections, *The Little World* and *Hail, Never*, Michel Volokovitch follows the spirit of the text without systematically straying from its letter, recreating her multifaceted poetic language. The everyday nature of Dimoula’s imagery translates with ease into French and demonstrates the translator’s complete familiarity with her poetic world."

By Olga Sella, KATHIMERINI 4/2/2012 The historic publishing house with new initiatives. The third generation – Marilena Panourgia and Nikos Argyris, children of Chrysoula and Katerina Karidi – have been working at “Ikaros” Publications for some time now. They manage the long history of the publishing house founded by their grandfather, Nikos Karydis, with respect and inspiration, but they also listen to the reading needs of the fourth generation, their own children – little Elli and little Aphrodite. Thus, alongside the books of Nobel Prize-winning poets, from this month, February, a major, brand-new publishing programme aimed at young readers will begin to unfold. Yes, Ikaros Publications is also turning its attention to children’s books, showcasing Greek authors whilst also introducing the Greek public to significant international authors. The criteria for each publication will be its educational value, high-quality texts and carefully crafted illustrations. And specifically for children’s books, a new logo has been designed: a little ‘Ikaros’, a... Little Ikaros! Bridge and perspective The bridge to the well-known ‘Ikaros’ catalogue of publications is formed by the series entitled ‘If I were to read: poets of the 1930s generation’ (in collaboration with the Benaki Museum), conceived and created by the artist Alexis Kyritsopoulos, who draws inspiration from the poems of the great poets of the ’30s generation and writes a new fairy tale, which he naturally illustrates. The first two books in the series are titled ‘Just a Little More’ (inspired by a poem by Giorgos Seferis) and ‘Fireworks’ (inspired by poems by Nikos Engonopoulos).Also featured in the ‘Ikaros’ publications is Evgenios Trivizas with two distinct books: ‘Tzo and Tsiou’ (illustrated by Liza Iliou) written following a meeting between the popular author and the Ethiopian activist Johannes Gebregeorgis in Stockholm, who asked Trivizas to write a subversive and subversive version of the English children’s book ‘Curious George’. The book will be published in a special bilingual edition (English-Amharic) for the children of Ethiopia. Eugenios Trivizas’s second book will be titled ‘The Camel’s Complaint’ (illustrated by Nikos Koutsis), featuring a solitary Bedouin, tirelessly accompanied by a camel, who at one point asks him to relieve her of her hump so that she may become light and swift as a gazelle. Young readers will see bustling Arab bazaars, seedy harbours and cosmetic surgeons’ waiting rooms come to life before their eyes, and will witness a hilarious allegory.Foreign-language books With an experienced storyteller, Filippos Mandilaras, translating the foreign-language books, we will be treated to a wide variety of tales. Such as the bunnies Tick and Tella in various stories by the multi-award-winning Axel Scheffler. The book ‘Goldilocks and Just One Bear’ by Leigh Hodgkinson, which offers a subversive take on the well-known fairy tale. Mr and Mrs Deer, who didn’t have a baby of their own but would very much like to have one, and one day find one on their doorstep. Except it was growling (‘What a Strange Baby! Grrr!’ by Simon Puttock. A tender story that speaks of the value of a gift and the joy one feels when giving, in the book ‘A Gift for Everyone’ (author Birdie Black, illustrator Rosalind Beardshaw).To help the youngest readers become familiar with the book, Ikaros Publications is producing pop-up books. The first book in the series is *I Play and Read on the Farm*. Finally, for the first time, the Greek public will be introduced to the award-winning children’s book illustrator Oliver Jeffers, with the release of the book ‘Oops... It’s Stuck’, which tells the story of a kite that gets stuck in the branches of a tree. Not only is the story delightful, but the illustrations are also impressive. The first children’s books The truth is that Ikaros Publications have reissued children’s books before. There are already two in their catalogue, published as far back as 1948! These are ‘Children’s Songs’ by Minos Dounias and the well-known children’s fairy tale ‘Dili-Dili’, both illustrated by the artist Spyros Vassiliou. In fact, “Dili-Dili” was reprinted in 2006 and reached a new generation of readers, whilst in 2010 it was released as a free app for iPhone and iPad devices, and to date more than 2,500 e-readers have downloaded the app.At a time when most news concerns postponements, cancellations or cutbacks, a historic publishing house is venturing into new territory, drawing on the experience and discernment that have characterised its journey to date.

Ikaros Publications is delighted to announce the publication of books aimed at children.In Ikaros’s long history, amongst the books by great poets and prose writers, there are two books illustrated by Spyros Vassiliou that were aimed at young readers: Minos Dounias’s Children’s Songs (1948) and the folk tale Dili-Dili (1948).  In 2006, Dili-Dili was reprinted and rediscovered by readers, and in October 2010 it was released as a free app for iPhone and iPad devices. To date, more than 2,500 readers have downloaded the app.Today, we are announcing Ikaros’s entry into the children’s book market with a significant number of titles. A new logo has been designed for these books, reminiscent of the classic ‘Ikaros’ logo.  The publishing schedule runs from February 2012 until the end of the year. The books are as follows: Alexis Kyritsopoulos, Series: ‘If I Read’ – poets of the 1930s generation Co-published with the Benaki Museum This series serves, in a way, as a bridge between Ikaros’s classic books and children’s books. Alexis Kyritsopoulos draws inspiration from the poems of the great poets of the 1930s generation and writes a new fairy tale, illustrated by himself.Alexis Kyritsopoulos, Just a Little MoreA fairy tale inspired by the poems of Giorgos Seferis.Alexis Kyritsopoulos, BengaliA fairy tale inspired by the poems of Nikos Engonopoulos.♦Eugenios Trivizas, undoubtedly the best-known and most beloved children’s author, could not be missing from Ikaros’s catalogue of children’s books, especially from its very beginnings. Eugenios Trivizas,  Joe & Tsiou, illustrated by Liza IliouA humorous adaptation of the well-known English story Curious George, which overturns the image we have had until now of the famous little monkey, whilst emphasising freedom and respect for the environment.  The book will also be published in a special bilingual edition (English – Amharic) for children in Ethiopia. Joe and ChiuEugene Trivizas, The Camel’s Complaint, illustrated by Nikos KoutsisAhmet Hamamet, the solitary Bedouin, has a camel that tirelessly accompanies him on all his journeys. She is his comfort, his hope and his only companion. So, when the camel confides in him her dream of becoming as light as a gazelle and asks him to rid her of her hump, the Bedouin does not hesitate for a moment. Eugene Trivizas’s wild imagination and Nikos Koutsis’s skilled pen bring to life, in a thrilling way, the bustling Arab bazaars, the seedy harbours, the misty streets of London, the waiting rooms of cosmetic surgeons, the enchanting oases, the raging sandstorms and the bewildering optical illusions that make up this hilarious yet tragic allegory. The Camel’s ComplaintAntonis Dimitrakopoulos, The Dewdrop, illustrated by Ersi SpathopoulouThe Dewdrop wanders through nature trying to find an answer to her question: Do you know my name? A tender story by debut author Antonis Dimitrakopoulos, brought to life by the dreamlike illustrations of Ersi Spathopoulou.The catalogue will also include translated books from the international market, carefully selected for their high aesthetic quality and educational value.Axel Scheffler, series: Tick and TellaTranslated into Greek by: Philippos MandilarasThe multi-award-winning Axel Scheffler, creator of The Gruffalo, is the author of the Tick and Tella series. Two little rabbits learn to overcome their obstacles and fears through tender everyday stories.Tick and Tella - The Super SkateboardTick and Tella - The Little PondTick and Tella - The MonsterLeigh Hodgkinson, Goldilocks and Just One BearWe all know that when Goldilocks turned the three bears’ house upside down, they said goodbye to her with great relief. But have you ever wondered what happened next? Years later, the little bear gets lost in the big city, and guess who he meets! A clever and funny sequel to a much-loved fairy tale, by an award-winning illustrator. Simon Puttock, What a Strange Baby! Grrr!, illustrated by Nadia Shireen Mr and Mrs Deer didn’t have a baby of their own but they would have loved to… Just imagine their joy when one day they found a tiny little baby on their doorstep.  But – how strange! – this baby wouldn’t stop growling… They called their friends to help them, but, one by one, they vanished… How strange! Helen Stephens, How to Hide a LionWhere can a little girl hide a huge lion? It’s not easy, but Ellie has to do her best. Because Mum and Dad aren’t too keen on having lions in the house. Will Ellie be able to hide her lion forever?♦Birdie Black, A Gift for Everyone, illustrated by Rosalind BeardshawHow many gifts can you make with a roll of fabric that’s red, warm and so, so Christmassy? Countless! A warm, tender story about the value of giving and the joy we all feel when we give, with wonderful illustrations by the acclaimed illustrator Rosalind Beardshaw. A book destined to become a classic.♦Play & Read seriesCorina Fletcher & Britta Teckentrup, Play & Read on the FarmAn original pop-up book that transforms into a three-dimensional farm for endless play. Play & Read on the FarmOliver Jeffers, Oops... It Got StuckIkaros Publications presents, for the first time in Greece, the multi-award-winning illustrator and children’s book author, Oliver Jeffers. In the first book to be released, titled Oops... It’s Stuck, Floyd’s kite gets stuck in the branches of a tree. His attempts to get it down lead to hilarious scenes!

By Katerina Karidi, editor We first met Vasilis Dioskouridis, whom we said goodbye to a few days before Christmas, in 1985. A few months after the death of our father, Odysseas Elytis, he demonstrated his trust and support in a tangible way by entrusting us with the publication of “The Little Sailor.”It was a huge responsibility, and the legendary Panagiotis Mermigas, who had been the permanent editor at Ikaros Publications until then, had just retired due to health problems. His then assistant, Julia Tsiakiri, although perfectly capable in her own right, suggested that Vasilis, known at the time as the editor of the magazine Ekivolos, should take on the editing and proofreading of “The Little Sailor.”His knowledge, education, prestige and integrity gave us great confidence that we would do justice to Elytis, that we would best proclaim the continuation of the tradition of Ikaros’s exemplary publications.That was the beginning. With Vasilis and Julia, we went on to produce many books, and we experienced joys, anxieties, tensions, rewards – everything that comes with publishing a book. Until they devoted themselves to their Rodakio.I want to pause and describe, as best I can, a scene that makes me smile whenever I remember it. We all went together, as was our custom: Vasilis, Chrysi and I, to Stefanos Koumanoudis’s house so that he could hand over his grandfather’s ‘Diary 1845–1867’—also by Stefanos Koumanoudis—for publication. We all leaf through the contents of a blue folder together, discussing the peculiarities of the text and how we will address them, agreeing on the layout, the font, the page format and, of course, that the book will be polytonic with accents – a matter of course for Vasilis and for us.We are ready to leave, standing there in our coats, and Koumanoudis cannot bring himself to part with the blue folder. A familiar syndrome when handing over a manuscript. Vasilis holds it on one side and he on the other, and he won’t let go of it. Like children who remember they’re thirsty when you put them to bed so they can prolong your stay in their room, he asks again and again: “Will it be polytonic with grave accents?” “Yes,” we tell him. “With grave accents!” he clarifies. “Of course,” we say again. “Mind you, not just polytonic but with accents too,” he says, pulling out the blue folder. “Definitely with accents,” we say. “Yes, but with accents,” he repeats. And then Vasilis, having lost his Job-like patience, pulls the folder forcefully towards him and exclaims: “But for goodness’ sake, Mr Koumanoudis, you haven’t understood. I AM the grave accent!” That was Vasilis. And one more thing: In one of the many articles that followed Vasilis’s death, I read that “in the 1980s, he trained as a proofreader at Ikaros Publications.” Wrong! We trained alongside him, in proofreading and much more.