The Hellenic American Union in cooperation with Hellenic American College (HAEC) and the Jewish Museum of Greece, present Iossif Ventura's new poetry book in its first bilingual edition published in the United States by Red Heifer Press.
In his two poetry books that have been published in Greece, Tanaïs (Gavrielides Books, 2001) and Kyclonio (Melani Publications, 2010), Iossif Ventura returns to the terrible historic event of the extermination in the Nazi concentration camps of the Jews in Europe, and particularly those living in Greece. Red Heifer Press' edition to be presented at the Hellenic American Union is the first bilingual publication of Tanaïs & Kyklonio, in which the original Greek version is accompanied by a powerful English translation that is the collaborative effort of several distinguished poets and scholars.
Among the handful of Jews who had evaded capture in Crete was the family of the poet. Iossif Ventura was born in Chania, Crete and lives in Athens. His poems have been translated into English, French, Hebrew and Serbian. He has translated works by other poets, including Nelly Sachs and Jerome Rothenberg. He is the director of the Greek electronic journal Poeticanet (www.poeticanet.gr) and the English website www.poeticanet.com.
The event will take place on May 18, 2015 at 20:00, in the Auditorium of the Hellenic American Union, 22 Massalias St., Athens.
Speaking on the book will be: Anna Despotopoulou (Assistant Professor, University of Athens), Helen Dimos (Philologist, Translator, Poet), Adrianne Kalfopoulou (Faculty Member, Hellenic American University / Hellenic American College, poet) and Liana Sakelliou (Professor, University of Athens, poet).
Music will be performed by: Daniella Soussi (cello) and Penny-Sue Joyce (piano).
The event will be held in Greek. Admission is free of charge.
Photo: Cover of the poetry book "Tanaïs"
