Costumes in Greek Children's Literature


Figure 1.--.

Ancient Greek mythology and Aesop's fables are of course ell know to most of us. Modern Greek literature and even more, children's literature is practically unknown to English reader. While English and American childrn's literature is translated in many languages, foreign language material is much less available in America. We are thus always happy when our readers provide details on literature and other topics in their countries that is not readily available in English. Greek children's literature dates from the 1830s. A magazine for children (Children's Storeroom was published in 1836. [K. Delopoulos, 1989]. The number of books published for Greek children, however, has been very limited until recent years, especially the 1970s. For the most part children read adult books deemed suitable for them, such as Aesops Fables or other edifying works. Children's publications often included poetry. Patriotic historical books werre alo read by children. Greek 19th century literature often focused on patriotic historical, religious, and family themes, all of which were considered beneficial for children. Some of the importnt early authors of Greek children's books included Pericles Gianonopoulos, Iona Dragoumi, Penelope Delta, and Gregory Xenopoulos. Zacharias Papandoniou provided both prose and poetry for children. Alki Zei was one of the first important children's authors to address a new wave of Greek children's literature in the 1960s.

Chronology

Greek children's literature dates from the 1830s. A magazine for children (Children's Storeroom was published in 1836. [K. Delopoulos, 1989]. The number of books published for Greek children, however, has been very limited until recent years, especially the 1970s. Changes in govrnment policies, especially after 1974 had a major impact. The democratic Karamanlis government elected in 1974 initiated many fundamental changes in social and educational policies. Greek authors have begun to address a wide range of social issues that had never before been seriously addressed.

Material

For the most part children read adult books deemed suitable for them, such as Aesops Fables or other edifying works. Children's publications often included poetry. Patriotic historical books werre alo read by children. Greek 19th century literature often focused on patriotic historical, religious, and family themes, all of which were considered beneficial for children.

Authors

Some of the importnt early authors of Greek children's books included Pericles Gianonopoulos, Iona Dragoumi, Penelope Delta, and Gregory Xenopoulos. Zacharias Papandoniou provided both prose and poetry. A group of authors known as the "generation of 30s" also came with some titles that could be read from adolescents like "Leonis" by Giorgos Theotokas. Alki Zei was one of the first important children's authors to address a new wave of Greek children's literature in the 1960s. A good example of this more open arroach was Wildcat under Glass. Another important author was Georges Sari. Authors begin to address a wide range of social issues that had never before been seriously addressed.
Penelope Delta: Penelope Delta wrote only books for children. Her works often feature patriotic, historical and religious themes but we can also find fairytales and funny subjects. Her best known books are "Ta mystika tou valtou" (Secrets of the swamp) and Trelantonis" (Crazy Antonis). The latter is a very funny and exptremely popular book that narrates the adventure of an endearingly naughty 10-year old boy. She based the character of Antonis on her brother with the same name. In the book Antonis and the other boys appear to wear sailor suits while the little ones wear dresses. As a boy in real life, their mother constantly dressed Antonis in sailor suits which can be seen in the family photographs.
Zacharias Papandoniou: Zacharias Papandoniou provided both prose and poetry for children and wrote the very popular "Ta psila vouna" (The high mountains), a coming of age story about a group of 11-year old schoolboys that decide to camp in the wilderness of the Greek mountains.
Alki Zei: Alki Zei was one of the first important children's authors to address a new wave of Greek children's literature in the 1960s. A good example of this more open arroach was "To kaplani tis vitrinas" (Wildcat under Glass) which was set in the small island of Skathios during the Metaxas years. A very interesting passage narrates the story of the older daughter of the family who wants to join the EON movement, impressed by the shiny uniform.
Georges Sari: Another important author was Georges Sari. She also translated childrens literature from French to Greek.
Kira Sinou: Very popular lately is also Kira Sinou. Her work feature often a lot of suspence and mystery and can be compared with Enid Blyton.
Antonis Samarakis: Several Greek authors have begun to address a wide range of social issues that had never before been seriously addressed. One of these authors is very popular among teenagers--Antonis Samarakis. His early works have been translated into more than 15 languages, turned into films by French directors and into TV series in American television.

Interesting Books

HBC readeers have provided some comments on a few interesting books.
Aristeidis The Hippopotamus: This book was written by Yiannis Kontos and published by Kedros Publishers. The illustrator is Dimitris Mytaras. Author Yiannis Kontos and renowned Greek painter Dimitris Mytaras created a children's picture book about Aristeidis the Hippo out of their love for children and animals.
Melpo the Unique: This book was written by Maria Rousaki and published by Papadopoulos Publishers. The illustrator is Polina Papanikolaou. Little Melpo's schoolmaster wants her pupils to look all the same in the classroom. But Melpo always tries on something that will make her look different: a big funny hat, a colorful set of glasses, ornaments in her hair. The teacher prohibits them one by one but in the end Melpo finds a way to be unique with something that nobody can forbid.
Petros' War: This book was written by Alki Zeiaand. This was one of Alki Zei's famous children's novels about Petros. Originally entitled "O Megalos Peripatos Tou Petrou", this novel was translated by Edward Fenton and received the Mildred Batchelder award for children's books in translation.

Translations

Modern Greek literature and even more, children's literature is practically unknown to English reader. While English and American childrn's literature is translated in many languages, foreign language material is much less available in America. We are thus always happy when our readers provide details on literature and other topics in their countries that is not readily available in English. This is a problem in many countries. American and British authors have a huge ready market of not only native English speakers, but the large numbers of peopke who have learned English as a foreign language. Greek writers have a much smaller market. Many Greek authors have, of course, been translated into English. The cost of translation limits the access of Greek authors to the foreign market and not nfrequently, the beauty of the writing is lost in a translation. There are, however, many English translations of Greek books. Antonis Samarakis in particular has been widely translated into many languages, I think that there is even a Afrikaans edition. A reader reports, "I read it when I was 12 years old. It was the first book ever of serious literature I read. It was breathtaking even in the English translation."

International Marketing

Some children's literature is old all over the world. Other children's literature has a more limited national market. We do not yet fully understand the reasons behind this. We have begun to assess the marketing the export of French literature, especially the limited distribution in America and Britain. We hope to eventually expand this assessment.

Detailed Information

Dominique Sandis has prepared a detailed academic assessment of Greek children's literature. She explains, "Greek Children's Literature may not have the same kind of worldwide fame as English-language Children's literature, except for Ancient Greek mythology and Aesop's fables which have done their round of the world in translation more times than Aesop himself could count, however this does not mean that superb and progressive work has not been done on both the writing and research fronts. Fortunately, every now and then and with the help of IBBY International and other Children's Literature Conferences, Greek children's literature authors and academics appear in order to give their opinions on various issues, discuss their findings and present their work. Furthermore the children's literature "lovers and activists" have made giant leaps over the last few years and many conferences have been organised, whilst research is rife within the universities, and excellent Greek children's books are being published."

Sources

Katsiki-Givalou, A. "Greek children's literature: Historical background," A. The Marveled Journey: Studies in Children's Literature (Patakis Publications, 1997), pp. 15-23.)







Christopher Wagner





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Created: May 29, 2002
Last updated: August 26, 2002