The second Antipodes Writers Festival is dedicated this year to the work and life of one of the most important literary figures of the 20th century, the Alexandia born Greek poet Constantine P. Cavafy.
Cavafy scholars such as George Syrimis from Yale University, Gregory Jusdanis from Ohio State University, Maria Boletsi from Leiden University, Karen Emmerich from the University of Oregon and Dimitris Papanikolaou from the University of Oxford will be addressing this weekend various aspects of the poets work and world.
The celebration in this year’s Antipodes Writers Festival includes, “A Date with Cavafy” an open mic event, inviting lovers of the poet’s work to read their favourite poem. A number of guest speakers will also be part of this session including author and ABC Radio presenter Phil Kafcaloudes, media personality George Donikian, writer Hariklia Heristanidis and actor/director Tony Nikolakopoulos.
A special addition to the weekend program will be a screening of The Barbarians, an opera by Constantine Koukias inspired by the iconic poet and commissioned by the Museum of Old and New Art of Tasmania. Otherness is a central theme of Constantine P. Cavafy’s poem ‘Waiting for the Barbarians’; written in 1904, it is one of his most important works. The poem echoes the dramatic traditions of Ancient Greek Theatre and resonates with today’s eco-political environment.
The event is free.
When: Saturday 22 June, 10.00 to 8.00pm; and tomorrow Sunday 23 June, 12.30 pm to 8.00pm.
Where: The Wheeler Centre, 176 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne .
For the full weekend schedule visit antipodesfestival.com.au.
For further information contact Antipodes Festival at 03 9662 2722.
* The opera The Barbarians contains nudity and scenes that may be offensive to people under the age of 18.