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'''Georgios Drosinis''' ({{lang-el|Γεώργιος Δροσίνης}}; {{OldStyleDate|9 December|1859|}} – 3 January 1951 was a [[Greece|Greek]] author and poet of the New Athenian School ([[Greek literature|Greek literary]] Generation of the 1880s’), a scholar and an editor. |
'''Georgios Drosinis''' ({{lang-el|Γεώργιος Δροσίνης}}; {{OldStyleDate|9 December|1859|}} – 3 January 1951) was a [[Greece|Greek]] author and poet of the New Athenian School ([[Greek literature|Greek literary]] Generation of the 1880s’), a scholar and an editor. |
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==Biography== |
==Biography== |
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Revision as of 07:01, 15 February 2013
Georgios Drosinis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1859 |
| Died | 1951 |
| Occupation(s) | poet, author |
Georgios Drosinis (Greek: Γεώργιος Δροσίνης; 9 December [O.S. ] 1859 – 3 January 1951) was a Greek author and poet of the New Athenian School (Greek literary Generation of the 1880s’), a scholar and an editor.
Biography
Georgios Drosinis was born and raised in Athens, but he came from a family of fighters from Mesolonghi[1], a historic city which, during the Greek War of Independence, was under siege by the Ottomans from April 1825 until its fall in April 1826. He studied Philology in Athens and in Germany, but he did not complete his studies. Drosinis was one of the co-founders (along with Kostis Palamas and Nikos Kampas) of the ‘Generation of the 1880s’, which renewed modern Greek literature by reacting to already decayed romanticism[2]. He contributed to the development and establishment of modern Greek language ("Demotic") and to the turn towards Greek folk tradition. Drosinis showed great interest in educational issues and wrote school books. Since 1908, he took up important positions in the Ministry of Education. During his service, he founded school libraries, introduced standards for school hygiene and established the Celebration of the National Flag (26th October). He also contributed to the foundation of a Home for the Blind, Sevastopouleios Vocational School, Hellenic Laographic Society and the compilation of the Historical Dictionary of the Greek Language. His contribution to the implementation of Eleftherios Venizelos’ educational programme during the 1910s was substantial. With Demetrios Vikelas, he co-founded the Society for the Spread of Beneficial Books (in Greek, Σ.Ω.Β.)[3]. In addition, he was editor-in-chief and director in a number of literary and educational publications (Estia magazine, To Asty, To Imerologion Tis Megalis Elladas: Journal of Great Greece). He worked towards the foundation of the Academy of Athens (1926) and became one of its first members. He was honoured by the Academy of Athens with the “Award for Excellence in Arts and Letters” and in 1947, he was nominated by the Greek State for the Nobel Prize in Literature[4].
Poetry
Despite his intense action in education and publications, Georgios Drosinis is best known for his literary works. His first collection of poems was "Istoi Arachnis" (Spider Webs; 1880), a work which signaled the appearance of the New Athenian School. His poetry, which was influenced by French Parnassianism, German literature (Heinrich Heine) and Kostis Palamas, is inspired by the Greek way of life, especially Greek nature, and is characterised by its tranquility, simplicity and intense and clear imagery. Drosinis’s most important works of poetry are the following:
- Istoi Arachnis (Spider Webs, 1880)
- Idyllia (Romances, 1884)
- Gallene (Serenity, 1902)
- Fotera Skotadia (Bright Darknesses, 1918)
- Pyrine Romfaia (Flaming Sword, 1921)
- To Moiroloi tis Omorfis (The Beauty’s Lament, 1927)
- Tha Vradyasei (It’s Going to Get Dark, 1930)
- Eipe (She Said, 1932)
- Lambades (Candles, 1947)
Prose
His prose, which falls into the genre of novel of manners, is an idyllic representation of Greek living – especially rural settings – but it also shows its negative aspects, the poverty and lack of education of peasants[5]. His most important works of prose are:
Novels
- Amaryllis (1886)
- To Votani tis Agapis (The Herb of Love, 1901)
- Ersie (1922)
- Irene (Peace, 1945)
Collections of short stories
- Agrotikai Epistolai (Peasants’ Letters, 1882)
- Diigimata kai Anamniseis (Short Stories and Memories, 1886)
- Diigimata ton Agron kai tis Polis (Short Stories of the Country and the City, 1904)
Legacy
In 1940, Drosinis published his autobiography, "Skorpia Fylla tis Zoes mou" (Scattered Pages of my Life)[6]. Many of his poems have been set to music and several of his works have been translated into other languages. His Complete Works have been published by the Society for the Spread of Beneficial Books (Σ.Ω.Β.)[7]. Drosinis’s house in Kifisia (a suburb of Athens) has been renovated and belongs to the Municipality of Kifisia. The building has housed the Municipal Library of Kifisia since 1991 and Drosinis Museum since 1997, where one can browse through a collection of the poet’s personal belongings and books[8]. In 1997, the Society of Friends of Drosinis Museum was founded, the aim of which is, amongst other things, to promote and spread Drosinis’s works, particularly in the education sector in Greece[9].
References
- ^ Logotheti, F. (1960). Georgios Drosinis. Athens: Σ.Ω.Β. Publications
- ^ Karantonis, A. (1997). Neoelliniki Logotechnia. Fysiognomies A’ [Modern Greek Literature. Figures A΄]. Athens: Papadima Publications, pp. 160-184.
- ^ Margaris, D. (1951). ‘Anekdota apo ti zoe tou Drosini: To grafeio tou sto Syllogo Ofelimon Vivlion’ (Anecdotes from the life of Drosinis: His office in the Society of Beneficial Books). Hellenike Demiourgia (Hellenic Creation), 7/76: 525-529
- ^ Meraklis, M. and Paradisi, E. (2007). ‘Drosinis’, in Lexico Logotechnikon Oron [Dictionary of Literary Terms], Athens: Patakis Editions, pp. 561-562.
- ^ Ziras, A. (2009). ‘Georgios Drosinis: Enas protoporos eidylliakos’ (Georgios Drosinis: An idyllic pioneer), in Philologike (Philologic), 108: 32-37
- ^ For Drosinis’ complete list of works see Meraklis, M. and Paradisi, E. (2007).
- ^ Drosinis, G. (1995-2005). Complete Works 12 Volumes, Editing – Introduction: G. Papakostas, Athens: Σ.Ω.Β. Publications.
- ^ Drosinis museum website
- ^ About the Society of Friends of Drosinis Museum see: Publication of the Society of Friends of Drosinis Museum (2001). Five Authors Talk About G. Drosinis. Athens: Kameiros Εditions.