The International Association of Friends of Nikos Kazantzakis, founded in Geneva in 1988, celebrated its 35th anniversary last week. As part of the association’s 35th-anniversary celebrations, the lecture Nikos Kazantzakis: The French Connection, will be presented on Wednesday, August 9, at the Greek Centre in Melbourne, by esteemed scholar Dr Alfred Vincent from the Department of Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies at the University of Sydney.
The lecture, conducted in English, delves into Kazantzakis’ life and his connections with France and French culture.
Kazantzakis’ seminal years were marked by his experiences in France. Between 1907 and 1909, he pursued postgraduate studies in Paris and attended the lectures of the eminent philosopher Henri Bergson. Bergson’s teachings left an indelible impression on Kazantzakis, influencing his intellectual and literary pursuits.
Even before World War II, Kazantzakis showcased his literary prowess by crafting novels and other works in both French and Greek.
In 1946, he made Paris his home, and later in 1948, he and his wife, Eleni, settled in Antibes, a city that would witness the final nine years of Nikos Kazantzakis’ life.
The association promotes the literary and philosophical contributions of Nikos Kazantzakis, whose impact on the world of literature remains profound. Kazantzakis is internationally known for works such as Zorba the Greek, Last Temptation of Christ, Fratricides, and Report to Greco.
Date: Wednesday, August 9 at 7pm
Where: Greek Community of Melbourne
For more information, contact Yiannis Milides at milidesj@yahoo.com.au or 0416 043 335
