The Greek Studies Program and the Centre for Greek Studies of La Trobe University are organising a conference to celebrate the year of Constantine Cavafy and the 130th anniversary since the birth of Nikos Kazantzakis.
The conference, to take place on Thursday 21 and Friday 22 November, will be officially opened on 21 November, from 6.00 pm to 9.00 pm.
Keynote speaker of the conference, Dr Anthony Dracopoulos from the University of Sydney, will give a lecture entitled ‘C. P. Cavafy and the Poetics of ‘Openness”.
In an attempt to promote and recognise the writers of the community, The Greek Studies Program and the Centre for Greek Studies of La Trobe University will hold a reception to honour the poet and painter Nikos Nomikos for his contribution, both in poetry and painting.
Nikos Nomikos was born in Alexandria, Egypt in 1934. He studied at the French High School of St Mark, where he studied painting, while apprenticing next to Alexandrian painter G. Gogos and Fine Arts Professor J. Rouvrier. He then studied design engineering at the Technical College of Alexandria.
He continued his studies in Athens, where he settled in 1960. In 1965 he migrated to Melbourne, where he lives with his family.
He has published seven collections of poetry. Most of his works were published in Melbourne and Thessaloniki. Many of Nomikos’ poems were published in various magazines and his work is included in different anthologies.
Apart from poetry, Nikos Nomikos was honoured and awarded for his painting.
On the second day of the conference, Friday 22 November, from 10.00 am to 6.30 pm, sessions on both Cavafy and Kazantzakis will be held. The last session will include readings of works written under the influence of Cavafy and Kazantzakis.
Speakers at the conference include Dr Anthi Baltatzis (Education Office, Greek Consulate), Dr Chris Fifis (La Trobe University), Mr Yiannis Georgiou (Kazantzakis’ Society), Mr Dimitri Gonis (La Trobe University), Dr Nikos Mathioudakis (Demokriteio University), Dr Tom Petsinis (Victoria University), Dr Nick Trakakis (Australian Catholic University), and Professor Michael Tsianikas (Flinders University).
Keynote speaker on Kazantzakis will be freelance writer and lecturer Mr Howard Dossor.
Conveners of the conference are Professor Chris Mackie and Dr Maria Herodotou.
For further details, contact Dr Maria Herodotou, m.herodotou@latrobe.edu.au
The conference will take place at La Trobe University (city campus), 215 Franklin Street, Melbourne (next to the Queen Victoria Market), Room FS104. The conference will be held in English and Greek. Entrance is free.