5. Presentation of Rethymno and Greek literature: Homer
Timeless Greek poet Homer is known for his epic poems
that continue to be studied by literature students and
enthusiasts alike. His most well-known works are the
Odyssey and the Iliad. Referred to as the king of all poets,
Homer is known for creating the foundational works of
Greek literature.
The influence of Homer’s poems can be seen in today’s
literature. The Iliad and the Odyssey both were written in
epic hexameter style. Historians debate whether the events
in Homer’s epic poems were historical accounts or fictional
tales designed to further his storylines.
6. Presentation of Rethymno and Greek literature: Nikos Kazantzakis
Nikos Kazantzakis ( 2 March (OS 18 February) 1883– 26
October 1957) was a Greek writer, journalist, politician,
poet and philosopher. Widely considered a giant of modern
Greek literature, he was nominated for the Nobel Prize in
Literature in nine different years, and remains the most
translated Greek author worldwide.
Kazantzakis's novels included Zorba the Greek (published
in 1946 as Life and Times of Alexis Zorbas), Christ
Recrucified (1948), Captain Michalis (1950, translated
Freedom or Death), and The Last Temptation of Christ
(1955). He also wrote plays, travel books, memoirs, and
philosophical essays, such as The Saviors of God: Spiritual
Exercises. His fame spread in the English-speaking world
due to cinematic adaptations of Zorba the Greek (1964)
and The Last Temptation of Christ (1988).