at the 9th International Student Literature Conference “Kiki Dimoula. The Poet”
With great success and deep emotion, the 9th International Student Literature Conference “Kiki Dimoula. The Poet,” was organized by the Zografeion Lyceum of Constantinople and E. Mandoulides Schools, under the auspices of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, from March 19 to March 23, 2025, in Constantinople.
Approximately 400 students and teachers from 31 schools (private and public) attended from Greece, Constantinople, Nicosia, Larnaca, Imbros, Johannesburg, and New York. They gathered alongside 50 scientists, writers, actors, and journalists, to engage in discussions about Kiki Dimoula, the poet!
The life and works of Kiki Dimoula were explored through the students’ creative ideas and activities, the in-depth presentations by experts, and the fruitful discussions that took place. The Conference’s themes were diverse and highly engaging. “She climbed onto the ledge of the universe.”/ Mythical figures in the poetry of Kiki Dimoula/ “Love/ a noun”-The theme of love in Dimoula’s poetry/ “A suspended lady” – Places, roads, and journeys in Dimoula’s poetry/ The body in the poetry of Kiki Dimoula/ Outlining the (stylistic) linguistic identity of Kiki Dimoula.
The Conference provided students with a valuable opportunity for self- expression, once again proving that culture and art are among the most powerful means to discuss, address, and process complex issues. At the same time, participants had the chance to explore the City, connect with their History, and take pride in their cultural heritage.
On the FIRST DAY, the official opening was declared by His All-Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who congratulated the organizers and all participants, especially the students. In his speech, he highlighted the depth of Kiki Dimoula’s poetry, emphasizing that “her poems touch the most sensitive chords of the human soul, reminding us of the mystery of the world.” At the same time, he underscored the importance of the Greek language, describing is as “the mother tongue of the spirit.”
The message by the Ecumenical Patriarchate
This was followed by a moving speech by Elsi Dimoula, daughter of the honored poet. Under the title “Retrospective Youth,” she portrayed her mother’s personality beyond her role as a creator- depicting her as a woman, mother, working professional, and revolutionary. With heartfelt words, she addressed the students, encouraging them to embrace knowledge, read, and dare to express themselves through poetry and imagination.
Elsi Dimoula’s Speech
The event began with a welcome address to the large audience by the organizers of the conference, Mr. Giannis Dermitzoglou, Director of Zografeion Lyceum and Dr, Aspa Chasioti, General Director of E. Mandoulides Schools, who highlighted the importance of preserving our cultural heritage.
The welcoming by the organizers
Mr. Giannis Dermitzoglou, clearly moved, characteristically stated: “Today we celebrate all together the great Greek poet, Kiki Dimoula. Your presence here helps us to continue on our ancestors’ land to keep the flame burning in the lamp of Romiosyni.
On her part, Dr. Aspa Chasioti highlighted that this year’s Conference is especially significant , as it honors a female creator for the first time, emphasizing Kiki Dimoula’s invaluable contribution to modern Greek poetry and urging the students to “take with them as much poetry as they can”, because just like the Poet says, “Poetry means launching into space without a spaceship. Few return. But both the return and the loss are worth it.”
Greetings were extended by Mr. Giorgos Papaliaris, President of SYRKI and President of the Stavrodromi community (Greetings from Mr. Papaliaris) and Mrs. Sissy Papathanasiou, Historian, Author, Playwright, Director of Letters, Ministry of Culture (Greetings from Mrs. Papathanasiou)
The first day of the Conference culminated in a unique concert by Maria Farantouri, who performed musical adaptations of poems by Kiki Dimoula from her work “To Telefteo Soma Mou” (My Last Body), set to music by Sakis Papadimitriou. Her performance created an atmosphere of deep emotion. She was accompanied on the piano by Achilleas Gouastor. The audience also had the opportunity to enjoy works by Theodorakis, Chatzidakis, Savopoulos and Livaneli. At the end of the concert, students spontaneously got up and danced syrtaki, receiving enthusiastic applause from those in attendance.
The concert by Maria Farantouri
On the SECOND DAY of the Conference, discussions were held between students and distinguished representatives of literature and the arts, along with student-led activities and performances.
As part of the thematical unit “A Suspended Lady “: Places, Roads and Journeys in the Poetry of Kiki Dimoula, with Kostas Karavidas, Teaching Fellow at the Department of Philology, University of Ioannina, as a special advisor and coordinated by Kostas Mpliatkas, Journalist and Author, thirty-five students shared their thoughts and questions with: Mary Mike, Professor of Modern Greek Philology, Department of Philology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thomas Korovinis, Author and Philologist and Eftychia – Alexandra Loukidou, Poet.
Next followed the session “Outlining the (Stylistic) Linguistic Identity of Kiki Dimoula” , with Dr. Nikos Mathioudakis, Doctor of Stylistics and Member of the Hellenic Open University (HOU) faculty, as a special advisor, and coordinated by journalist Apostolos Lakasas. The discussion featured, Stantis Apostolidis, Philologist, Paola Maria Minucci, Professor of Modern Greek Literature, Università La Sapienza Roma, Corresponding Member of the Academy of Athens, Christoforos Charalampakis, Professor Emeritus of Linguistics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Full Member of the Academy of Athens. They answered students’ questions and were deeply impressed by their insightful approach to the poet’s work, despite their young age.
«Climbing onto the Ledge of the Universe» was the third thematic session, with special advisor author Giannis Pashos. The engaging conversation took place between forty students and the following guests: Vasiliki Dimoula, Assistant Professor of Comparative Literature, Department of Philology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Evi Koutroumpaki, author, philologist, Eftichia – Alexandra Loukidou, poet and Pavlina Marvin, author. The discussion was moderated by journalist Marina Aggelaki.
The discussion “Climbing onto the Ledge of the Universe”
Following this, the final thematic session of the second day took place under the title «The Body in the Poetry of Kiki Dimoula». The special advisor for this session was Fragiski Ampatzopoulou, Emeritus Professor of Philology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and author. The session was coordinated by Aspa Chasioti, PhD in Philology, Kostas Karavidas, Teaching Fellow, Department of Philology, University of Ioannina, Mary Mike, Professor of Modern Greek Philology, Department of Philology, AUTH and Giannis Pashos, author. The panelists had the opportunity to listen to the students and respond to their questions.
The discussion “The Body in the Poem of Kiki Dimoula”
The second day concluded with the literary, visual, and musical performance titled: “The Little of the World”. A large audience attended this personal anthology of Kiki Dimoula’s poetry, featuring verses, imagery, and music, directed by Theodoris Gonis. On stage, actress Olia Lazaridou selected and recited poems from the entirety of the great poet’s work, while composer Christos Theodorou accompanied the spoken word with music. The scene was further enriched by a visual intervention by artist Andreas Georgiadis, who used video to reconstruct the light and color of Dimoulas poetic universe.
The performance “The Little of the World”
At the same time, throughout the day, various schools presented theatrical and artistic performances inspired by Kiki Dimoula’s poetry at the emblematic Zografeion Lyceum.
School Performances
On the morning of the THIRD DAY of the Conference, two more discussions took place between students and distinguished representatives of literature and the arts. Specifically:
The discussion “Mythical Figures in the Poetry of Kiki Dimoula” was held, with special advisor Mary Mike, Professor of Modern Greek Philology, Department of Philology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, The discussion was coordinated by Kostas Karavidas and engaged 35 students with the following esteemed guests: Vasiliki Dimoula, Assistant Professor of Comparative Literature, Department of Philology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Christina Ntounia, Emeritus Professor of Modern Greek Philology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and Kleoniki Drougka, Member of the Special Teaching Staff, Department of Film Studies, School of Fine Arts, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Poet, Author.
The discussion “Mythical Figures in the Poetry of Kiki Dimoula”
This was followed by the final discussion, “Love / a Noun: Eroticism in the Poetry of Kiki Dimoula” with special advisor Chrysostomos Stamoulis, Professor at the Department of Theology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. The discussion was moderated by journalist and classical philologist Viky Flessa: Myrsini Gana, Poet, Translator, Panagiotis Thomas, Dr. of Theology, Kostas Karavidas, E. DI. P. at the Department of Philology, University of Ioannina. The panel listened attentively to the thirty-five students and answered their questions, fostering an engaging dialogue on the theme of love in Dimoula’s poetry.
The discussion “Love/ a Noun”: Eroticism in the Poetry of Kiki Dimoula»
After the discussion, the conference participants toured the Hagia Sophia, the Byzantine Cistern, and the Sultanahmet area. Later, they visited the Most Sacred Patriarchal Church of St. George in Phanar, where they attended the Third Stanza of the Salutations to the Theotokos.
The day concluded at the Marasleio School, where another engaging discussion took place on the topic “A Day with Kiki Dimoula”, moderated by Dr. Aspa Chasioti, Philologist.
The speakers included: Stanti Apostolidi, Philologist, Elsi Dimoula, daughter of the poet, Paola Maria Minoutsi, Professor of Modern Greek Literature at Università La Sapienza Roma, Corresponding Member of the Academy of Athens, Chrisostomos Stamoulis, Professor at the Department of Theology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Viky Flessa, Journalist, and Classical Philologist, Christoforos Charalampakis, Emeritus Professor of Linguistics at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Full Member of the Academy of Athens. The speakers shared their personal experiences of Kiki Dimoula, offering insights into her everyday life.
The discussion “A Day with Kiki Dimoula”
