Meet Some Contemporary Greek Poets

from NEO magazine - April 2023

Denissi Mimi Sharing Important History to Shape Our Future

Welcome back! April is National Poetry Month, so let’s talk poets! Thoughts of Greek poetry may conjure names like Cavafy, Dimoula, Elytis, Palamas, Ritsos, Sappho, Seferis, Solomos, even Homer But did you know that their tradition is alive and well today? There are many incredibly talented contemporary poets, and we could chat for hours about them. Butherearesometocheckout.Enjoy!

KatieAliferis

The San Franciscob a s e d p o e t a n d performer honors her Greek heritage, living with chronic illness, love, and more in her work. Her poetry has been published in many anthologies, journals, and websites, including 9 Muses News, The Cerurove, Lucent Dreaming, the San Francisco Public Library’s Poem of the Day, and sPARKLE & bLINK. She’s also a featured performer at local and international literary series and events. Her first book, fool[ishly optimistic] (NomadicPress),cameoutlastyear.

GeorgiaBellas

An artist, poet, ventriloquist, and filmmaker based in Wisconsin, Georgia’s work immerses us in her keen observations of the world. She’s been published in Milk Candy Review, Ruby Literary Press, Janus Literary, and more. She’s been nominated for the coveted Pushcart Prize. Georgia performs in a poetry band called Sugar Whiskey, and she—well, her teddy bear—is the host of the award-winning weekly Internet radio show,‘Mr Bear'sVioletHourSaloon’

JohnBokas

For more than 50 years, John has committed his musings to paper He recently published his first poetry collection, Skies kai Chromata (Shadows and Colors). His work is introspective, and he writes about nature and the complexities of human existence. The prolific poet writes in Greek and lives in Maryland.

KoralyDimitriadis

The Greek-Cypriot-Australian poet, performer, and filmmaker has published two books. Just Give Me the Pills and Love and F**k Poems, both published by Out of the Box Press, have recently been re-released. She’s also been published in multiple journals. Her words are raw and fearless. She takes on topics like love, marriage, divorce, women ’ s roles, mental health, shame, and more Her latest work is a film based on her poem of the same name,“YiayiaMou”

SissyDoutsiou

Born and raised in Athens, this poet and actress studied astrophysics and theater She’s a founding member of the Institute of Experimental Arts and curator of the annual International Video Poetry Festival in Athens. Sissy has published four critically-acclaimed poetry collections plus a compilation of erotic and political short stories called, “The Voyeur” HerEnglish-languagepoetryisa no-holds-barred commentary on culture,currentevents,andmore.

YiannisDoukas

Born in Greece, Yiannis lived in Ireland while pursuing his PhD. He’s published four poetry collections to date. His first book, The World as I Came and Found it (Kedros), was published in 2001. Inner Borders (Polis, 2011) is the recipient of the Diavazo Journal Debut Poetry Collection Award. The Stendhal Syndrome, (Polis, 2013) received the G. Athanas Award of the Academy of Athens. His work has been included in anthologies and translated into eight languages. He writes about “things I notice and how I distill them”, how humanity is tested, and more Several of hispoemshavebeensettomusic.

KyriakiDrakou

This award-winning poet, artist, and educator is based in G r e e c e S h e ’ s published several poetry collections and if you get a chance to hear her read her poetry, do take it! Her passion for Greece, its history and culture shine through. If it’s possible, she’ll make you even prouder of your heritage. She writes inGreek.

AlexandraKostoulas

An award-winning writer of poetry, fiction and essays, Alexandra is also the founder of the San Francisco Creative Writing Institute, and a writing teacher and coach Her Greek culture and experience as a Greek-American woman infuse her writings. She often performs her work in the San Francisco area Alexandra recently completed a book of poetry called Leaving Los Angeles, about ayoungpoet'scoming-of-age Itisthelast in a trilogy of collections that rounds out the theme. She’s working on her first novel

KarianMarkos

This poet, writer, and attorney calls the Chicago area home A second-generation poet, she grew up in a celebration of the literary arts and no doubt is inspired by her father, George Karavolos. Her work is at once reflective and also permeated with her Greek culture and her ancestral Chios. Karian’s poetry and short stories have been published by Highland Park Poetry, Living Crue, Prairie Light Review, Bombfire, Beyond Words Literary Magazine, Little Old Lady Comedy, and others. Her poem, “Reverie” appears in Distilled Lives, Volume 6, published by the Illinois State Poetry Society She’s currently penning her first novel, an epic fantasy.

ValerieNifora

A best-selling and award-winning author and poet, Valerie is also a marketing communications executive and speaker I Asked the Wind: A Collection of Romantic Poetry (The Unapologetic Voice House, 2019) is the recipient of multiple awards. This work has been called “ courageous ” and “thoughtprovoking” and delves into the highs and lows of love. Her first novel, a contemporary historical romance called The Fairmounts (Author Academy Elite, 2022) debuted as a #1 New Release. She recently published Unleash the Power of You: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating andSustainingYourOwnPersonalBrand (EthosCollection,2023).

DeanPetrakis

Son of the late Author Harry Mark Petrakis, Dean is a writer, poet, businessman, and a c t o r, a n d c a l l s California home His impressive pedigree is surely tough to live up to, but Dean holds his own in his first poetry and prose collection, Sweeping Up Stardust ( I n d e p e n d e n t l y published, 2021) These writings provide a glimpse into his soul, where he reveals his life—joy, pain, tragedy, the quest for knowledge and peace.

HilarySideris

An American poet of Greek and Irish ancestry, Hilary culls the depths of all of her cultures to inform her work. Her poems have appeared in multiple journals, including The American Journal of Poetry, Arts & Letters, Barrow Street, The Cortland Review, Poet Lore, Poetry Daily, The Southern Poetry Review, among others; and have been published in several anthologies. Now Brooklyn-based, Hilary has also publishedninepoetrycollections.

LiaSiomou

This Greek-born poet is a former scientist for the U S Department of Energy at Argonne National Laboratory She’s published seven poetry collections. Her latest, Of Life, of Love, Poetry 19952011 (Eleftheroudakis), was published in 2022. Some of her work has been set to music by Athanasios Zervas and was recently presented along with her new book at the Archaeological Museum of Athens. Written in Greek, her ethereal work calms the noise of the world. She is workingonanewcollectioninEnglish.

DanaeSioziou

Raised in Greece and Germany, Danae is a multilingual poet, cultural manager, and educator She’s the former co-editor of the literary journal, Teflon. Her work has appeared in many international publications, including Harlequin Creature, The Ilanot Review, NYRB, and Brooklyn Rail; plus multiple anthologies. Danae has participated in numerous international literary festivals She’s a recipient of the State Prize for Young Writers, Jiannis Varveris’ Prize for Young Writers by Hellenic Writers’ Society, and

Special Prize in the Poetry Competition in Memoir of the Kalavrita Holocaust, State of Kalavrita. She’s published three poetry collections. Danae said she writes poems to “create space in language for hope”, and gives voice to topics such as gender roles, language, imagination, oppression,war,history,andmyth.

Well, that will get you started! Continue to explore and let their dazzling and insightful words color your world See you next time for more of Mnemosyni’s Musings.

Maria A. Karamitsos has been a positive voice in Greek media since 2002. She's the founder & former publisher/editor of Windy City Greek magazine. For 10 years, she served as associate editor & senior writer for The Greek Star newspaper. Her work has been published in NEO magazine, Greek Circle magazine, The National Herald, Greek Reporter, Harlots Sauce Radio, Women Who Write, KPHTH magazine, XPAT Athens, and more. Maria has contributed to three books: Greektown Chicago: Its History, Its Recipes; The Chicago Area Ethnic Handbook; and the inaugural essay collection, Voices of Hellenism Literary Journal. She recently completed her 1st novel, called FindingEleftheria.

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Meet Some Contemporary Greek Poets

Next Article

Denissi Mimi Sharing Important History to Shape Our Future

GeorgiaBellas

JohnBokas

KoralyDimitriadis

SissyDoutsiou

YiannisDoukas

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This article is from:

NEO magazine - April 2023