{"id":139298,"date":"2025-03-26T14:38:49","date_gmt":"2025-03-26T12:38:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mandoulides.edu.gr\/?p=139298"},"modified":"2025-04-02T13:36:04","modified_gmt":"2025-04-02T10:36:04","slug":"350-students-met-the-poetry-of-kiki-dimoula-in-constantinople","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mandoulides.edu.gr\/en\/350-students-met-the-poetry-of-kiki-dimoula-in-constantinople\/","title":{"rendered":"350 students \u201cmet\u201d the poetry of Kiki Dimoula in Constantinople"},"content":{"rendered":"

at the 9<\/span>th<\/span> International Student Literature Conference \u201cKiki Dimoula. The Poet\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With great success and deep emotion, the 9th International Student Literature Conference \u201cKiki Dimoula. The Poet,\u201d 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.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The life and works of Kiki Dimoula were explored through the students\u2019 creative ideas and activities, the in-depth presentations by experts, and the fruitful discussions that took place. The Conference\u2019s themes were diverse and highly engaging. \u201cShe climbed onto the ledge of the universe.\u201d\/ Mythical figures in the poetry of Kiki Dimoula\/ \u201cLove\/ a noun\u201d-The theme of love\u00a0 in Dimoula\u2019s poetry\/ \u201cA suspended lady\u201d \u2013 Places, roads, and journeys in Dimoula\u2019s poetry\/ The body in the poetry of Kiki Dimoula\/ Outlining the (stylistic) linguistic identity of Kiki Dimoula.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On the <\/span>FIRST DAY<\/span><\/b>, the official opening was declared by <\/span>His All-Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew,<\/span><\/b> who congratulated the organizers and all participants, especially the students. In his speech, he highlighted the depth of Kiki Dimoula\u2019s poetry, emphasizing that \u201c<\/span>her poems touch the most sensitive chords of the human soul, reminding us of the mystery of the world<\/span><\/i>.\u201d At the same time, he underscored the importance of the Greek language, describing is as \u201c<\/span>the mother tongue of the spirit<\/span><\/i>.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The message by the Ecumenical Patriarchate\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This was followed by a <\/span>moving speech by Elsi Dimoula<\/span><\/b>, daughter of the honored poet. Under the title \u201c<\/span>Retrospective Youth<\/span><\/i>,\u201d she portrayed her mother\u2019s personality beyond her role as a creator- depicting her as a <\/span>woman, mother, working professional, and revolutionary<\/span><\/b>. With heartfelt words, she addressed the students, encouraging them to <\/span>embrace knowledge, read, and dare to express themselves through poetry and imagination.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Elsi Dimoula\u2019s Speech\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Director of E. Mandoulides Schools, who highlighted the importance of preserving our cultural heritage.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The welcoming by the organizers\u00a0<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mr. <\/span>Giannis Dermitzoglou<\/span><\/b>, clearly moved, characteristically stated: <\/span>\u201cToday we celebrate all together the great Greek poet, Kiki Dimoula. Your presence here helps us to continue on our ancestors\u2019 land to keep the flame burning in the lamp of Romiosyni.\u00a0<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On her part, <\/span>Dr. Aspa Chasioti <\/span><\/b>highlighted that this year\u2019s Conference is especially significant , as it honors a female creator for the first time, emphasizing Kiki Dimoula\u2019s invaluable contribution to modern Greek poetry and urging the students to \u201ctake with them as much poetry as they can\u201d, because just like the Poet says, \u201cPoetry means launching into space without a spaceship. Few return. But both the return and the loss are worth it.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Greetings were extended by\u00a0 <\/span>Mr. Giorgos Papaliaris<\/span><\/b>, <\/span><\/i>President of SYRKI and President of the Stavrodromi community (<\/span>Greetings from Mr. Papaliaris<\/span>) and <\/span>Mrs. Sissy Papathanasiou<\/span><\/b>, <\/span><\/i>Historian, Author, Playwright, Director of Letters, Ministry of Culture (Greetings from<\/span>\u00a0 Mrs. Papathanasiou<\/span>)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The first day of the Conference culminated in a unique concert by <\/span>Maria Farantouri, <\/span><\/b>who performed musical adaptations of poems by Kiki Dimoula from her work <\/span>\u201cTo Telefteo Soma Mou\u201d (My Last Body), <\/span><\/i>set to music by <\/span>Sakis Papadimitriou. Her performance<\/span><\/b> created an atmosphere of deep emotion. She was accompanied on the piano by <\/span>Achilleas Gouastor<\/span><\/b>. 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.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The concert by Maria Farantouri<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On the <\/span>SECOND DAY <\/span><\/b>of the Conference, discussions were held between students and distinguished representatives of literature and the arts, along with student-led activities and performances.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As part of the thematical unit \u201c<\/span>A Suspended Lady \u201c: Places, Roads and Journeys in the Poetry of Kiki Dimoula,\u00a0 <\/span><\/i>with<\/span> Kostas Karavidas<\/span><\/b>, Teaching Fellow at the Department of Philology, University of Ioannina<\/span>, <\/span><\/i>as a special advisor<\/span> and coordinated by <\/span>Kostas Mpliatkas<\/span><\/b>, Journalist and Author, thirty-five students shared their thoughts and questions with: <\/span>Mary Mike<\/span><\/b>, Professor of Modern Greek Philology, Department of Philology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki<\/span>, <\/span><\/i>Thomas Korovinis<\/span><\/b>, Author and Philologist and <\/span>Eftychia – Alexandra Loukidou<\/span><\/b>, Poet.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Next followed the session \u201cOutlining the (Stylistic) Linguistic Identity of Kiki Dimoula\u201d , with Dr. <\/span>Nikos Mathioudakis<\/span><\/b>, Doctor of Stylistics and Member of the Hellenic Open University (HOU) faculty, as a special advisor, and coordinated by journalist <\/span>Apostolos Lakasas<\/span><\/b>. The discussion featured, Stantis Apostolidis, Philologist, <\/span>Paola Maria Minucci<\/span><\/b>, Professor of Modern Greek Literature, Universit\u00e0 La Sapienza Roma, Corresponding Member of the Academy of Athens, <\/span>Christoforos Charalampakis<\/span><\/b>, Professor Emeritus of Linguistics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Full Member of the Academy of Athens. They answered students\u2019 questions and were deeply impressed by their insightful approach to the poet\u2019s work, despite their young age.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00abClimbing onto the Ledge of the Universe\u00bb <\/span><\/i>was the third thematic session, with special advisor author <\/span>Giannis Pashos. <\/span><\/b>The engaging conversation took place between forty students and the following guests: <\/span>Vasiliki Dimoula<\/span><\/b>, Assistant Professor of Comparative Literature, Department of Philology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, <\/span>Evi Koutroumpaki<\/span><\/b>, author, philologist, <\/span>Eftichia \u2013 Alexandra Loukidou<\/span><\/b>, poet and <\/span>Pavlina Marvin<\/span><\/b>, author. The discussion was moderated by journalist <\/span>Marina Aggelaki.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The discussion \u201cClimbing onto the Ledge of the Universe\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Following this, the final thematic session of the second day took place under the title \u00ab<\/span>The Body in the Poetry of Kiki Dimoula\u00bb. <\/span><\/i>The special advisor for this session was <\/span>Fragiski Ampatzopoulou<\/span><\/b>, Emeritus Professor of Philology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and author. The session was coordinated<\/span> by Aspa Chasioti<\/span><\/b>, PhD in Philology, <\/span>Kostas Karavidas<\/span><\/b>, Teaching Fellow, Department of Philology, University of Ioannina, <\/span>Mary Mike<\/span><\/b>, Professor of Modern Greek Philology, Department of Philology, AUTH and <\/span>Giannis Pashos<\/span><\/b>, author. The panelists had the opportunity to listen to the students and respond to their questions.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The discussion \u201cThe Body in the Poem of Kiki Dimoula\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The second day concluded with the literary<\/span>, visual, and musical performance titled: \u201cThe Little of the World\u201d. A large audience attended this personal anthology of Kiki Dimoula\u2019s poetry, featuring verses, imagery, and music, directed by <\/span>Theodoris Gonis<\/span><\/b>. On stage, actress <\/span>Olia Lazaridou <\/span><\/b>selected and recited poems from the entirety of the great poet\u2019s work, while composer <\/span>Christos Theodorou <\/span><\/b>accompanied the spoken word with music. The scene was further enriched by a visual intervention by artist <\/span>Andreas Georgiadis<\/span><\/b>, who used video to reconstruct the light and color of Dimoulas poetic universe.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The performance \u201cThe Little of the World\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At the same time, throughout the day, various schools presented theatrical and artistic performances inspired by Kiki Dimoula\u2019s poetry at the emblematic Zografeion Lyceum.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

School Performances\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On the morning of the <\/span>THIRD DAY <\/span><\/b>of the Conference, two more discussions took place between students and distinguished representatives of literature and the arts. Specifically:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The discussion \u201c<\/span>Mythical Figures in the Poetry of Kiki Dimoula\u201d was held, with special advisor<\/span><\/i> Mary Mike<\/span><\/b>, Professor of Modern Greek Philology, Department of Philology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, The discussion was coordinated by<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/i> Kostas Karavidas <\/span><\/b>and engaged 35 students with the following esteemed guests: <\/span>Vasiliki Dimoula<\/span><\/b>, Assistant Professor of Comparative Literature, Department of Philology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki<\/span>, <\/span><\/i><\/b>Christina Ntounia<\/span><\/b>, Emeritus Professor of Modern Greek Philology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and<\/span> Kleoniki Drougka<\/span><\/b>, Member of the Special Teaching Staff, Department of Film Studies, School of Fine Arts, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Poet, Author.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The discussion \u201cMythical Figures in the Poetry of Kiki Dimoula\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This was followed by the final discussion, <\/span>\u201cLove \/ a Noun: Eroticism in the Poetry of Kiki Dimoula\u201d <\/span><\/i>with special advisor <\/span>Chrysostomos Stamoulis, <\/span><\/b>Professor at the Department of Theology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. The discussion was moderated by journalist and classical philologist <\/span>Viky Flessa<\/span><\/b>: <\/span>Myrsini Gana<\/span><\/b>, Poet, Translator, <\/span>Panagiotis Thomas<\/span><\/b>, Dr. of Theology, <\/span>Kostas Karavidas<\/span><\/b>, 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\u2019s poetry.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The discussion \u201cLove\/ a Noun\u201d: Eroticism in the Poetry of Kiki Dimoula\u00bb<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The day concluded at the Marasleio School, where another engaging discussion took place on the topic <\/span>\u201cA Day with Kiki Dimoula\u201d, <\/span><\/i>moderated<\/span> by Dr<\/span>.<\/span><\/i> Aspa Chasioti<\/span><\/b>, Philologist.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The speakers included: <\/span>Stanti Apostolidi<\/span><\/b>, Philologist<\/span>, Elsi Dimoula<\/span><\/b>, daughter of the poet, <\/span>Paola Maria Minoutsi<\/span><\/b>, Professor of Modern Greek Literature at Universit\u00e0 La Sapienza Roma, Corresponding Member of the Academy of Athens, <\/span>Chrisostomos Stamoulis<\/span><\/b>, Professor at the Department of Theology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, <\/span>Viky Flessa<\/span><\/b>, Journalist, and Classical Philologist, <\/span>Christoforos Charalampakis<\/span><\/b>, 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.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The discussion \u201cA Day with Kiki Dimoula\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

at the 9th International Student Literature Conference \u201cKiki Dimoula. The Poet\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 With great success and deep emotion, the 9th International Student Literature Conference \u201cKiki Dimoula. The Poet,\u201d 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.\u00a0 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":138755,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[124],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-139298","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mandoulides.edu.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/139298"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mandoulides.edu.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mandoulides.edu.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mandoulides.edu.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mandoulides.edu.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=139298"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/mandoulides.edu.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/139298\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":139299,"href":"https:\/\/mandoulides.edu.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/139298\/revisions\/139299"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mandoulides.edu.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/138755"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mandoulides.edu.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=139298"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mandoulides.edu.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=139298"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mandoulides.edu.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=139298"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}