Kostas Krystallis
Encyclopedia
Kostas Krystallis was a Greek
author and poet, representative of 19th century Greek pastoral
literature. He was born an Ottoman
subject in Epirus
, but escaped to Greece
after being denounced to the authorities for writing a patriotic collection of poetry. Krystallis initially wrote his works in archaic language, but after 1891 he adopted the vernacular (Demotic
) Greek language and became influenced by the New Athenian school. He was a pictorial writer, with a love to nature, while most of his work was based on traditional folk poetry.
, Epirus
, then Ottoman Empire
. He was the son of a local merchant. When his mother died he moved together with his father to Ioannina
, where he attented the Zosimaia
High School. As a pupil he wrote his first poetry collection, named Σκιαί του Άδου ("Shadows of Hades"), which consisted of three short stories, and exhibited obvious borrowings from Dante's Inferno
and Homer's Odyssey
. Because of this highly patriotic work he was denounced by the Ottoman authorities, and sentenced to 25 years in exile. Krystallis managed to escape to Greece
at 1886.
While living in Athens
he changed several jobs: initially worked as a typographer, copy editor and author in an encyclopedia, secretary for the periodical Η Εβδομάς ("The Week") and then ticket inspector in the national railway. For a short period he became author in the newspaper Φωνή της Ηπείρου (Voice of Epirus) and supported the rights of the population of his home place Epirus, which was still under Ottoman control. At 1893, he lost his job, however, he won a lottery price and could so afford the publication of a number of works he composed that time. Krystallis died of tuberculosis on April 22, 1894, aged 26.
. In 1893 he wrote his last collection Ο τραγουδιστής του χωριού και της στάνης ("The singer of the Village and the Fold") which was also praised at a poetry contest.
Krystallis initially wrote his works in archaic language and belonged to the romantic poets of the First Athenian school. However, after 1891 he adopted the vernacular (Demotic
) Greek language, while he became influenced by the New Athenian school, which was dominated by Kostis Palamas
, the composer of the Olympic Hymn. During this period many of his poems were mainly adaptations of oral folk poetry.
Krystallis, as well as Christos Christovasilis
, composed short patriotic
stories inspired by the bravery of the fighters of the Greek War of Independence
(1821–1830) and especially the Souliotes
. He has been described as a pastoral
, rural poet that extolled the nature, while on the other hand it has been claimed that he was never acclimate to the urban environment himself.
, the Krystalleia, named after Kostas Krystallis, which offers performances of contemporary Greek and classical music.
Greeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
author and poet, representative of 19th century Greek pastoral
Pastoral
The adjective pastoral refers to the lifestyle of pastoralists, such as shepherds herding livestock around open areas of land according to seasons and the changing availability of water and pasturage. It also refers to a genre in literature, art or music that depicts such shepherd life in an...
literature. He was born an Ottoman
Ottoman Greece
Most of Greece gradually became part of the Ottoman Empire from the 15th century until its declaration of independence in 1821, a historical period also known as Tourkokratia ....
subject in Epirus
Epirus
The name Epirus, from the Greek "Ήπειρος" meaning continent may refer to:-Geographical:* Epirus - a historical and geographical region of the southwestern Balkans, straddling modern Greece and Albania...
, but escaped to Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
after being denounced to the authorities for writing a patriotic collection of poetry. Krystallis initially wrote his works in archaic language, but after 1891 he adopted the vernacular (Demotic
Dimotiki
Demotic Greek or dimotiki is the modern vernacular form of the Greek language. The term has been in use since 1818. Demotic refers particularly to the form of the language that evolved naturally from ancient Greek, in opposition to the artificially archaic Katharevousa, which was the official...
) Greek language and became influenced by the New Athenian school. He was a pictorial writer, with a love to nature, while most of his work was based on traditional folk poetry.
Life
Kostas Krystallis, was born in the village of SyrrakoSyrrako
Syrrako or Sirako is a village and a former community in the Ioannina peripheral unit, Epirus, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality North Tzoumerka, of which it is a municipal unit. It has a predominantly Aromanian population, and is located 52 km...
, Epirus
Epirus
The name Epirus, from the Greek "Ήπειρος" meaning continent may refer to:-Geographical:* Epirus - a historical and geographical region of the southwestern Balkans, straddling modern Greece and Albania...
, then Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
. He was the son of a local merchant. When his mother died he moved together with his father to Ioannina
Ioannina
Ioannina , often called Jannena within Greece, is the largest city of Epirus, north-western Greece, with a population of 70,203 . It lies at an elevation of approximately 500 meters above sea level, on the western shore of lake Pamvotis . It is located within the Ioannina municipality, and is the...
, where he attented the Zosimaia
Zosimaia School
The Zosimaia School of Ioannina has been one of the most significant Greek middle-level educational institutions during the last period of Ottoman rule in the region...
High School. As a pupil he wrote his first poetry collection, named Σκιαί του Άδου ("Shadows of Hades"), which consisted of three short stories, and exhibited obvious borrowings from Dante's Inferno
Inferno (Dante)
Inferno is the first part of Dante Alighieri's 14th-century epic poem Divine Comedy. It is followed by Purgatorio and Paradiso. It is an allegory telling of the journey of Dante through what is largely the medieval concept of Hell, guided by the Roman poet Virgil. In the poem, Hell is depicted as...
and Homer's Odyssey
Homer's Odyssey
"Homer's Odyssey" is the third full length episode of The Simpsons, that originally aired on the Fox network on January 21, 1990. In this episode Homer becomes a crusader for citizen safety in Springfield, and is promoted to his current position as Nuclear Safety Inspector for the entire power plant...
. Because of this highly patriotic work he was denounced by the Ottoman authorities, and sentenced to 25 years in exile. Krystallis managed to escape to Greece
Kingdom of Greece
The Kingdom of Greece was a state established in 1832 in the Convention of London by the Great Powers...
at 1886.
While living in Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
he changed several jobs: initially worked as a typographer, copy editor and author in an encyclopedia, secretary for the periodical Η Εβδομάς ("The Week") and then ticket inspector in the national railway. For a short period he became author in the newspaper Φωνή της Ηπείρου (Voice of Epirus) and supported the rights of the population of his home place Epirus, which was still under Ottoman control. At 1893, he lost his job, however, he won a lottery price and could so afford the publication of a number of works he composed that time. Krystallis died of tuberculosis on April 22, 1894, aged 26.
Work
Krystallis wrote a relativelly small quantity of poems and prose. His first collection Σκιαί του Άδου ("Shadows of Hades"), was finally published in 1894, the year of his death. In 1890 he composed a long narrative poem named Ο καλόγηρος της Κλεισούρας του Μεσσολογγίου ("The monk of Kleisoura of Missolonghi") and the next year his work Αγροτικά ("Pastorals") was awarded in a poetry contest. During this period, Krystallis' writing style was heavily influenced by Aristotelis ValaoritisAristotelis Valaoritis
Aristotelis Valaoritis was a Greek poet and politician. He was also the great-grandfather of Nanos Valaoritis, one of the most distinguished writers of Greece.-Biography:...
. In 1893 he wrote his last collection Ο τραγουδιστής του χωριού και της στάνης ("The singer of the Village and the Fold") which was also praised at a poetry contest.
Krystallis initially wrote his works in archaic language and belonged to the romantic poets of the First Athenian school. However, after 1891 he adopted the vernacular (Demotic
Dimotiki
Demotic Greek or dimotiki is the modern vernacular form of the Greek language. The term has been in use since 1818. Demotic refers particularly to the form of the language that evolved naturally from ancient Greek, in opposition to the artificially archaic Katharevousa, which was the official...
) Greek language, while he became influenced by the New Athenian school, which was dominated by Kostis Palamas
Kostis Palamas
Kostis Palamas was a Greek poet who wrote the words to the Olympic Hymn. He was a central figure of the Greek literary generation of the 1880s and one of the cofounders of the so-called New Athenian School along with Georgios Drosinis, Nikos Kampas, Ioanis Polemis.-Biography:Born in Patras, he...
, the composer of the Olympic Hymn. During this period many of his poems were mainly adaptations of oral folk poetry.
Krystallis, as well as Christos Christovasilis
Christos Christovasilis
Christos Christovasilis was a Greek journalist and author, representative of Greek pastoral literature. He was a collector of rural and folk material and one of the most important figures in the literature of Epirus in late 19th-early 20th century.-Life:...
, composed short patriotic
Patriotism
Patriotism is a devotion to one's country, excluding differences caused by the dependencies of the term's meaning upon context, geography and philosophy...
stories inspired by the bravery of the fighters of the Greek War of Independence
Greek War of Independence
The Greek War of Independence, also known as the Greek Revolution was a successful war of independence waged by the Greek revolutionaries between...
(1821–1830) and especially the Souliotes
Souliotes
Souliotes were a warlike community from the area of Souli, in Greece, who became famous across Greece for their resistance against the local Ottoman Pashalik of Yanina ruled by the Muslim Albanian Ali Pasha...
. He has been described as a pastoral
Pastoral
The adjective pastoral refers to the lifestyle of pastoralists, such as shepherds herding livestock around open areas of land according to seasons and the changing availability of water and pasturage. It also refers to a genre in literature, art or music that depicts such shepherd life in an...
, rural poet that extolled the nature, while on the other hand it has been claimed that he was never acclimate to the urban environment himself.
Legacy
Krystallis was one of several Greek poets and author of that era that died young. In present days, an annual festival takes place every summer at AthensAthens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
, the Krystalleia, named after Kostas Krystallis, which offers performances of contemporary Greek and classical music.
External links
- Κώστας Κρυστάλλης. openarhives.gr. Works of Kostas Krystallis.
- Κώστας Κρυστάλλης. el.wikisource.org. Works of Kostas Krystallis.