1979 Nobel Prize in Literature
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- 18 October 1979 (announcement)
- 10 December 1979
(ceremony)
 1979 Nobel Prize in Literature | |
|---|---|
| Odysseas Elytis | |
 "for his poetry, which, against the background of Greek tradition, depicts with sensuous strength and intellectual clear-sightedness modern man's struggle for freedom and creativeness" | |
| Date |
|
| Location | Stockholm, Sweden |
| Presented by | Swedish Academy |
| First award | 1901 |
| Website | Official website |
The 1979 Nobel Prize in Literature was awarded to the Greek poet Odysseas Elytis (1911–1996) "for his poetry, which, against the background of Greek tradition, depicts with sensuous strength and intellectual clear-sightedness modern man's struggle for freedom and creativeness."[1][2] He is the second Greek recipient of the literature prize after another poet Giorgos Seferis in 1963.[3][4]
Influences of surrealism meet traditional Greek literature in the poetry of Odysseas Eytis. Most of his poems celebrates light, the sun, his native country's historic ruins, the blue sea, and the rocky terrain of Greece. Elytis' experiences during World War II introduced a darker element and tone into his poetic world. One of his most prominent works is Άξιον Εστί ("It Is Worthy", 1959), in which poetry and prose intermingle as in old Byzantine liturgy. His other significant oeuvres include Έξη και μια τύψεις για τον ουρανό ("Six Plus One Remorses For The Sky", 1960), Ο ήλιος ο ηλιάτορας ("The Sovereign Sun", 1971), Τα Ρω του Έρωτα ("The Trills of Love", 1973).[3][5][6]
Reactions
In the media speculations, Graham Greene was the favourite to win the 1979 Nobel Prize in Literature. Other frequently guessed winners included Jorge Luis Borges, Gabriel Garcia Marquez (awarded in 1982) and Simone de Beauvoir.[2] Also Louis Paul Boon seems to have been in the running.[7][better source needed]
On being awarded the prize, Odysseas Elytis commented: "The Swedish Academy's decision was not only an honor for me but for Greece and its history through the ages. I believe that it was a decision to bring international attention to the most ancient tradition in Europe, since from Homers time to the present there has not been a single century during which poetry has not been written in the Greek language."[2]
