Dionysios Solomos’ unfinished epic poem, “The Free Besieged” will be at the centre of a reading and discussion by Professor Vrassidas Karalis and Dr Tina Giannoukos presented live and online at the Greek Centre at 7pm on Friday, 23 April.

The poem which will recited by the academics, was inspired the Third Siege of Missolonghi (1825-26) is not considered to be a single poem but consists of three separate works in fragmentary form and represents one of Solomos’ greatest achievements.

Questions of whether the great work is a philosophical poem or a romantic fable, a fragmented manifesto or a grand vision of redemption, will be discussed. The event is part of the Greek Community of Melbourne’s Greek History and Culture Seminars series.

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Dr Giannoukos has published two poetry collections. Her second, “Bull Days”, was shortlisted for the 2017 Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards and was on the list for that year’s Australian Literature Society Gold Medal. She has a PhD in creative writing from the University of Melbourne.

Prof Karalis teaches Modern Greek Studies at the University of Sydney where he holds the Sir Nichola Laurantos Chair in Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies. His work on Byzantine historiography, Greek political life, Greek and European cinema, Patrick White and political philosophy have been extensively published.

♦ Entry to the live event is $10 and included drinks and finger food. You will need to book a place through the Trybooking,com link for the event.

To watch in the event online, visit the Greek Community of Melbourne’s Facebook and YouTube pages.

For more information email info@greekcommunity.com.au