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People
Arts And Humanities
Kostis Palamas (1859-1943)
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Kostis Palamas {Κωστής Παλαμάς} (1859-1943). Born in Patras {Patre ~ Πάτραι}, Kostis Palamas is the greatest modern Greek poet, second only to Solomos [People]. With his twenty-volume, poetical work, which is both quantitatively and qualitatively great, he dominates the age he himself created.
He began studying Greek and foreign poets and writing verse at the age of nine. Unlike the romantic poets, who wrote in puristic Greek, Palamas wrote in the vernacular. His poetry is multifaceted and leaves no subject, be it lyrical or contemplative, unsung. Everything moves him; history, philosophy, life. Palamas is a great lover of Greece and his verses rise up like a national prayer. Profound, symbolic, with pure panhuman idealism and effortless lyricism, Palamas created a whole new age and became the master for younger generations who are always influenced by his immortal art.
He died during the Nazi German occupation over Greece [Contents] and the whole of Athens [Place Names] was convulsed by his funeral service which was a landmark for the world of art and the nation. To the amazement of the occupying power, thousands of people escorted the poet to his final resting place, singing the National Anthem [The Anthem] as they went. Angkelos Sikelianos [People] bade him farewell with the words "On this coffin rests the whole of Greece." {S' afto to feretro akoumba i Ellada ~ Σ' αυτό το φέρετρο ακουμπά η Ελλάδα}.
Kostis Palamas (1859-1943)
04-22-2004