#palamas

[radiomountainmuse]

[startrekvsfaceapp]

[elladastinkardiamou]

The Day When Greeks Defied the Nazis to Attend Great Poet Palamas' Funeral

On a day like this on February 28 1943, Athens was trembling by the sentiment of grief; one of the nation’s greatest poets, Kostis Palamas, had died the day before.

One of the top Greek poets of modern literature and one of the most inspiring figures of Hellenism, Palamas’ works became the artistic beacons of Greece.

His funeral was meant to become the first massive anti-Nazi and anti-occupation demonstration in Europe.

A national poet in the making

Born in Patras on January 13, 1859, Palamas lived long enough to see Greece occupied by the Germans, as he died on February 27, 1943.

Palamas’ enormous poetic work is imbued with history, Hellenism, and the formation of the “Great Idea” for his homeland; the idea that wanted Greece to reach its former glory, that of Byzantium and of the ancient world.

However, Palamas’ work wasn’t just that. It also dealt with the everyday, ordinary man and his feelings. This is why he was named Greece’s National Poet. Because he knew what the Greek wanted, what the Greek was.

The poet’s lyricism and word-making skills have been remarkable. But other than an exemplary poet, Palamas was also a literary critic, a literary writer, and a literary philosopher.

[penny23]

Τα χέρια μου είναι για να σπέρνουν

το μαύρο στίχο στ’ άσπρο το χαρτί,

τα χέρια μου είναι για να γέρνουν

οι κουρασμένοι απάνω τους καημοί.

Kωστής Παλαμάς

[onancientpaths]

As regards the relation of Palamism to Neoplatonism, the prevailing views have been rather polarized.  It has been universally assumed that there is a struggle between Christianity and Neoplatonism in which Palamas either successfully resists Neoplatonic influence (Lossky, Meyendorff) or succumbs to it (Ivanka, Williams).  The issue is not so simple.  Palamas' doctrine is genuinely Neoplatonic, far more so than Thomism, in two vital and inseparable points: the realist understanding of the divine ideas, and the view of them, and therefore of God, as 'the very forms, the true being, of creatures.'  But St. Gregory maintains this position not by adopting a theory of mean terms but by working out the intrinsic requirements of the idea of participation.  His doctrine is thus a real philosophical development of Neoplatonism, on internally necessary lines.

Eric D. Perl

[elladastinkardiamou]

POEM OF THE MONTH: The Olympic Hymn by Kostis Palamas

The modern Olympics were established in the late 19th century, thanks to the efforts of a movement led by Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the International Olympic Committee, who wished to revive the practices and ideals of the ancient Olympic Games. The first Olympiad took place in 1896 in Athens; at the opening ceremony, held at the Panathenaic Stadium, a large choir performed the Olympic Hymn, composed Spyridon Samaras with lyrics by Kostis Palamas. In 1958, it was declared the official Olympic Anthem.

[elladastinkardiamou]

Greece to Restore Historic Home of National Poet Kostis Palamas

After many years of neglect and dilapidation, the historic home of poet Kostis Palamas in Athens is given a lifeline by the Greek Ministry of Culture.

According to a decision on Tuesday, the poet’s historic home, located in Plaka, will be taken over in order to conduct much needed restoration. The building is in a tragic state, covered with graffiti and nearly in ruins.

Palamas’ home in Plaka. Credit: The Greek Ministry of Culture/ Twitter The Greek Ministry of Culture will undertake the restoration of home, a stunning example of Greek Neoclassical architecture from the interwar period.

Palamas lived there during the later portion of his life until his death, and he wrote some of his most important poems in the historic home.

Above the door is a plaque that states: “In this house, our national poet Kostis Palamas died on February 27, 1943.” On the day of his funeral, 100,000 Athenians frustrated with the German occupation and yearning for freedom gathered in front of his home, inspired to resist the occupation by his poetry.

[elladastinkardiamou]

Kostis Palamas: The Great Poet of Hellenism

One of the top Greek poets of modern literature was also one of the most inspiring figures of Hellenism, as the works of Kostis Palamas became beacons of the newly independent Greek State.

Born in Patras on January 13, 1859, Palamas lived long enough to see Greece occupied by the Germans, as he died on February 27, 1943.

Palamas’ enormous poetic work is imbued with history, Hellenism and the formation of the “Great Idea” for his homeland, while at the same time it dealt with everyday man and his feelings. He was named Greece’s National Poet.

The poet’s lyricism and word-making skills have been remarkable. But other than an exemplary poet, Palamas was by his work as a literature critic, a literary writer and a literary philosopher.

Palamas lost both his parents at an early age. In 1864, his mother Penelope died during a premature birth, while less than a year later, his father Michael passed away as well. The six-year old Kostis is taken in the custody of his uncle, Dimitrios Palamas and moved to his house in Mesolonghi. The young boy stayed there from 1867 until o 1875. He started writing poems and literature as early as high school.