Tasos Leivaditis (1922-88) is one of the greats of modern Greek literature. He was born and raised in Athens, taking an interest in both poetry and politics from a young age. He joined the communist-led resistance in WWII, but with the escalation of the civil war in 1948 he was arrested and detained on island prison camps in the Aegean, including the barbarous Makronisos. He was released late in 1951, and soon after made his poetic debut, giving vivid expression to the horrors of war and the yearning for justice and peace. He went on to work as a literary critic while also producing a rich poetic oeuvre that would win him critical and popular renown in Greece.
This seminar will provide an overview of Leivaditis’ life as well as an introduction to his major works.
Presenter: Dr Nick Trakakis
Entry: FREE
