When George Seferis spoke openly against the junta
It was March 1969, and George Seferis, about six years after the day he was awarded the award Nobility of literature And nearly two years after the establishment of the junta of the Colonels on April 21, 1967, the great poet and diplomat, in a public statement, condemns the dictatorship of 21 April.
George Seferis: His statement against the junta
« It is time for the decision to hold out of the politician of the country. I have tried to explain it. This means that it is at all at our own political life. So, over the years, as the last one, I have stopped to touch such issues; in addition what I published as the first of 1967 and my subsequent attitude – I did not publish – Clear my thought clear.
»Molate, now months, I feel inside me and around me, most of all, the debt for our current situation. With all the possible brevity, what would I say:
« It has been closed for two years that we have been involved in a regime of the global opposite to the fundamental for which our world fought and so admired and our people in the last world war.
« It is a state of on -restraint, where we have been able to keep alive, with pain and hard work, and they are also subjected to the waters.
« I wouldn’t find it difficult to understand how such damage did not count too much for some people.
Unfortunately, this is not just about this danger. All of them have been taught and they know how in dictatorial situations, the beginning may seem easy, but the tragedy awaits the end of the end.
»The drama of that end is tormented by us, consciously, as in the old dance of Achilles. As long as the anomalia is left, the evil is progressing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luu2ys2B064
« I am a man without any political bond and, you can do so, no fear and passion. I see in front of me the cliff where the oppression that covered the place. This should be stopped. It is a national firm.
»Now I go back to my silence. Please God bring me any other times in similar need to talk again. «
George Seferis
Seferis’ statement, recorded in Athens and broadcast by the British BBC radio network, was an unequivocal condemnation of the April 21st dictatorial regime, by a world -renowned Greek writer and therefore caused a special sense internationally.
The noise that broke out « forced » the junta in a public announcement through the daily type that was still controlled by dictatorial censorship, in addition the dictators removed the title of the ambassador for honor and was banned from the diplomatic passport.
The junta’s announcement characterizes Seferis’ statement as « Antinomon », while arguing that the April 21 coup was made to guard the values for which the Greek people fought in World War II and « during the communist invasion ».
« The VIMA », 29.3.1969, Historical Archive « TO STEP » | « TA NEWS »
« Mr Seferiadis in his announcement stresses that the current regime of Greece is opposed to the ideals for which the Greek people have fought. While it is well known, and it is recognized in the wake, that the Greek people were fought during the last world war, but also during the communist invasion, to guard the dignity of man and the moral values of Hellenism.
« Since the Greek people have been in favor of these values for the revolution, it is at least antithetical to appear by Mr. Seferiadin the current regime of Greece as opposed to the ideal for which our people and our people have been, and which are our people, and which are our people, »
Following their announcement, the coup d’etat described Seferis’ statement as an act coming from his desire to get out of the supposed obscurity but also as an act motivated by international anti -Hellenic circuits.
The dictator George Papadopoulos
« And yes, though, it is very likely that Mr Seferiadis wished through his announcement, to obtain and neutralize the relentless law of deterioration and forgetfulness, which are naturally observed by the biological, and not other, causes of spiritual sterilization.
« However, the fact that his announcement was in time, during which you abroad, suspected foreigners, is being labeled in the non -heinous liberties of the Greek people, are unoccupied against Greece, not only as a country, but as a basic basic, as a basic basic,
« He appeared in the forefront, not only to break the cruel clone of forgetfulness, but to execute a part of a role entrusted to him under an international circuit against Greece. »
« TO VIMA », 20.4.1997, Historical Archive « TO VIMA » | « TA NEWS »
Anastasia Lambria had reported, in the « VIMA » of April 20, 1997, to the reactions of philanthropists following Seferi’s statement.
« In the same year, in 1969, which is characterized as a year of light, where the song’s Olympiad is being prepared as a great artistic event, and the Secretary General of the Presidency invites the spiritual leadership to respond to the homeland, the case with the case, outrageous and tragic reactions.
« » Is his own freedom? « Savvas Constantopoulos wonders in a front page of the » Free World « .
« Did anyone be able to write poems or literary essays? Did he consent his power in the spiritual exercise of his duty? The state entered the space of his spiritual inspirations and the art of expression and feelings?
« And as the text of George Seferis made the world around the world, the voices of Athens officially accused him of political acryship, gave him the title of » Master EAM propagandist « at the time when Seferis was in the Middle East.
« In the informal corridors he whispered greatly that the Nobel had been given to the poet because he had sold Cyprus to the English! »
« The VIMA », 27.2.2000, Historical Archive « TO STEP » | « TA NEWS »
Nora Anagnostaki, literary critic, writer and wife of the great poet Manolis Anagnostakis has been one of the people who lived for many years.
In her text at « VIMA » on February 27, 2000, inter alia, she also refers to what followed Seferi’s statement.
« When she made the statement against her (junta) I was in Athens. I cut a hug of Easter from the garden and went to see them (the couple Seferi)
« » I felt the need to see you closely « I say, » You know why « . He knew.
George Seferis’ initiative to speak out unequivocally against the junta brought, a few months later, the birth of a flagship anti -dictatorial publishing work, « Eighteen texts » by « Kedros ».
The reissue of 2016 states: « George Seferis, March 28, 1969, makes his famous statement against the dictatorial regime.
The autumn of the same year is the preventive censorship to be replaced by a cruel and vague type of type. Some writers, who resist their silence, decide to appear as a group by publishing texts that, through allegory, irony and hint, turn against the junta.
« Stratis Tsirkas is one of the animators and pioneers of this initiative that rally writers from the whole spectrum of anti -dictatorial political forces, tendencies and shades.
»Nana Kallianesi undertakes the printing of the volume under the title: Eighteen texts. However, publishers to protect Nana, according to the law, are Manolis Anagnostakis, Alexandros Argyriou, Nikos Kassdaglis, Alexandros Kotzias, Takis Koufopoulos, Rodis Roufos, Th. D. Fragopoulos.
« Ninetta Makrinikola writes: » The book was released in July 1970 and has enjoyed enormous success, given the data of the season. The first edition, for which 3,000 copies were printed, is exhausted within a month. In Colophon, of course, one is only a bold one. copies. «
In « VIMA » on February 27, 2000, Nora Anagnostaki narrates:
»After the release of 18 texts, at the house of Rodi Roufou. Almost all accomplices are present. I approach Seferis and kiss him. He kisses the hand that caresses his cheek. I say to him: « People embraced the version but the mustard hit us unfortunately. » He tells me with humor smiling: « Let the enemies entertain us! »
»He did not enjoy the fall of the junta. His death cost us a lot. I cried as my own man. We put his photo and all the books I brought from home to the bookstore showcase. ?
« Manolis went to his funeral and he was the one who, when the funeral was over, shouted: » Immortal « and everyone with one mouth repeated: » Immortal « . Maro (the wife of George Seferis’ wife) cut off her golden plait and put her on his coffin. The coffin was held by people who loved and honored him. It became a great popular pilgrimage.
Justice ».
