On 18 March, Greece commemorates the passing of two of its most significant historical and cultural figures—Eleftherios Venizelos, one of the nation’s most influential political leaders, and Odysseas Elytis, the Nobel Prize-winning poet whose work defined modern Greek literature.
Eleftherios Venizelos (1864–1936): The visionary statesman
Eleftherios Venizelos, born on 23 August 1864 in Mournies, Crete, was a defining figure in modern Greek history. A charismatic and reformist leader, he played a crucial role in shaping Greece’s political and territorial landscape during the early 20th century.
Political career and achievements
Venizelos first rose to prominence as a leader of the Cretan Revolt against Ottoman rule. His advocacy for union with Greece and his strong political acumen brought him to Athens, where he was invited to become Prime Minister in 1910.
His tenure as Prime Minister (1910–1915, 1917–1920, 1928–1932, and briefly in 1933) was marked by sweeping reforms and territorial expansion. Some of his key achievements include:
- The Balkan Wars (1912–1913): Under his leadership, Greece significantly expanded its territory, incorporating Thessaloniki, Epirus, and Crete.
- World War I Participation: His support for the Allies led to Greece joining the war in 1917, eventually securing Western Thrace and Smyrna under the Treaty of Sèvres (1920).
- Modernisation Reforms: He restructured the Greek education, economy, and military, and introduced constitutional and judicial reforms.
- Greece’s Diplomatic Relations: His later years focused on reconciliation with Turkey, culminating in the Greco-Turkish Friendship Pact of 1930 with Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
Reception and legacy
Venizelos was both revered and controversial. While many saw him as the architect of modern Greece, others opposed his interventionist policies. His rivalry with King Constantine I led to deep political divisions, known as the “National Schism”.
After losing power in 1933, he survived an assassination attempt and later lived in self-imposed exile in Paris. He died on 18 March 1936 at the age of 71. His funeral in Crete was attended by thousands, and he remains one of Greece’s most influential and visionary leaders.
Odysseas Elytis (1911–1996): The poet of Greece
Born on 2 November 1911 in Heraklion, Crete, Odysseas Elytis became one of Greece’s greatest poets, known for his lyrical style and deep connection to Greek landscapes and heritage.
Literary career and works
Elytis was associated with the Surrealist movement but infused it with his own Mediterranean aesthetic. His poetry celebrates Greece’s light, sea, and historical legacy, often blending myth with contemporary themes.
Among his most renowned works are:
- “To Axion Esti” (1959) – One of his most famous works, a poetic masterpiece blending history, religion, and patriotism.
- “The Monogram” (1972) – A deeply personal and lyrical meditation on love and loss.
- “The Sovereign Sun” (1971) – A collection celebrating the Hellenic spirit and its endurance.
Awards and international recognition
Elytis received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1979, becoming the second Greek poet to win, after Giorgos Seferis. The Swedish Academy praised him for his ability to bring forth “the sunlight and Aegean blue into poetry, creating a new Hellenic expression.”
His final years and death
Elytis continued to write and inspire generations of Greek poets until his death on 18 March 1996, at the age of 84. His influence remains profound, and his work is widely studied in Greece and beyond.
Also read: ON THIS DAY: Remembering Greek music legend Nikolas Asimos (1988)
