Australian university honours Cavafy
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Australian university honours Cavafy

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at UNSW is hosting an international symposium between 18-20 June celebrating the work of one of the most distinguished Greek poets of the 20th century, Constantine P. Cavafy. To commemorate the 150th anniversary of his birth and the 80 year anniversary of his death, the UNSW has invited scholars from around the world to assemble and discuss the cultural significance of his work and why there is such interest in his poetry today.

An academic symposium on Cavafy’s contemporary resonance will be held between 18-19 June and will feature a number of invited local and international guests including Dr Maria Boletsi of the University of Leiden, Dr Anthony Dracopoulos of the University of Sydney, Associate Professor Karen Emmerich of the University of Oregon, Professor Gregory Jusdanis of Ohio State University, Professor Vrasidas Karalis, who is Sir Nicholas Laurantos Professor of Modern Greek at the University of Sydney, Dr Dimitris Papanikolaou of Oxford University, Dr George Syrimis of Yale University and Professor Michael Tsianikias of Flinders Univsersity. Scholars will discuss and debate various aspects of Cavafy’s work and its reception in recent years.

«E.M. Forster famously said of Cavafy that he viewed the world standing at a slight angle. It appears that angle resonates more than ever,» said Associate Professor Nicholas Doumanis from the UNSW and coordinator of this event.

On the 20th June following the two day academic symposium will be two events open to the public:
1. A workshop for local students from Sydney’s secondary schools discussing why now, more than ever, we should be reading Cavafy. This workshop, led by professors Boletsi, Emmerich and Syrimis, will be held between 1.00-2.30 pm at the UNSW Kensington Campus
2. “C.P. Cavafy: A Public Debate’: This open forum will be held in the UNSW Kensington campus” John Niland Scientia Building, at 6.30 pm, and invites the general public to attend and discuss Cavafy’s poetry and legacy with a panel of experts.
These events have been organised not only to celebrate the work of one of the world’s greatest poets, but to showcase the faculty’s interest and commitment to research in Greek Studies.

For further information contact Associate Professor Nicholas Doumanis, School of Humanities University of New South Wales on (02) 9385 1705 or email n.doumanis@unsw.edu.au

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