The life and work of Greek poet Giorgos Seferis is being studied by students, academics, writers, actors and journalists, at a student conference launched today by the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, in Istanbul. The conference is entitled: “Giorgos Seferis. From Smyrna To Istanbul.”
Fifteen schools, both public and private, are taking part in the conference along with more than 150 students and teachers from Athens, Thessaloniki, Ioannina, Chania, Volos, Nicosia and Istanbul. For the first time, members of the Greek Diaspora in America are also attending. The conference took place at Zografio High School.
During the conference Anna Londos, daughter of Maro Seferis, spoke about Giorgos Seferis and how she knew him. Furthermore, she provided the conference organizers with some of the poet’s favorite personal belongings (the distinctive hat, the cane and the pipes).
Poems by George Seferis will be recited by representatives of literature and art in six languages (Greek, Turkish, English, French, Russian and Armenian). Two famous Greek actors, Marina Psaltis and Katerina Lechou will be reading as well.
Vasilis Lekkas, will perform some of Seferis’ poems set to music, while pianist Maro Theodorakis will accompany him.
The conference is organized by Zografio High School and Mandoulides School for the third consecutive year. Last year the theme was “150 years Cavafy,” while the first conference was held in March 2012 with the theme of “100+1 years Alexandros Papadiamandis.”