The writer Constantine Cavafy was largely unpublished in his lifetime, but was revered by artists. His archive and Alexandrian home are now on show for the first time
t was the backdrop to a literary world of the lost Levant. Away from the sea, on a narrow street in the old Greek quarter of Alexandria, 10 Rue Lepsius was the home and creative sanctuary of, held court, treating writers such as EM Forster to long candle-lit nights of talk over liquors and what the English novelist later recalled as “small bits of bread and cheese”.
“We’re giving back to Cavafy the honour he deserves,” said Anthony Papadimitriou, the foundation’s president. “In Alexandria, we have the place where he lived, and in Athens, the things he lived with,” he said, referring to the artworks, furniture, books and personal effects now exhibited in the Greek capital.
Few Greek artists have inspired and influenced so many as has Cavafy, or have been as imitated. Among creatives – David Hockney and Leonard Cohen included – the poet hasthat has verged on cult-like. Cavafy was a perfectionist, who obsessively revised his work and never sold a book of poetry in his lifetime. His fame, even for his biggest fans, remains an enigma.
Impressed as much by his polymath friend’s erudition as by his homoerotic verse, the novelist, who had fallen in love with a local tram driver, would famously describe Cavafy as “a Greek gentleman in a straw hat, standing absolutely motionless at a slight angle to the universe”. Already a literary sensation with
The cavernous apartment looked on to St Savvas’s Orthodox church and the hospital that served the Greek diaspora, a community that had long controlled Alexandria’s vibrant commercial life. “Where could I live better?” he asked. “Below, the brothel caters for the flesh. And there is the church, which forgives sin. And there is the hospital where we die.”
In 1992 the flat was transformed into a museum by the Greek consulate. Durrell, like Forster before him, saw Cavafy as one of Alexandria’s significant figures with the poet featuring in his magisterialBut it was not always so. In his lifetime, Cavafy was the butt of gossip and, in the words of Sareyannis, numerous and violent attacks.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
My friend David Hockney: Martin Gayford on the prophet of paintingThanks to his sharp wit and turn of phrase, the British artist’s voice is almost as distinctive as his line. A new book introduced by the art critic Martin Gayford gathers his musings on art, life, nature, creativity and more
Read more »
Nine CEO’s Greek holiday going down ‘like a lead balloon’ amid job cutsNine Entertainment boss Mike Sneesby's handling of a tumultuous six weeks at the company has been criticised after he flew out to a European country shortly after announcing mass sackings.
Read more »
Why Greek islands have always been death trapsAlong with remote spots, difficult-to-reach coves and stunning headlands, the Greek islands have it all – but in the height of European summer, it’s not all bliss.
Read more »
Why Greek islands have always been death trapsAlong with remote spots, difficult-to-reach coves and stunning headlands, the Greek islands have it all – but in the height of European summer, it’s not all bliss.
Read more »
Why Greek islands have always been death trapsAlong with remote spots, difficult-to-reach coves and stunning headlands, the Greek islands have it all – but in the height of European summer, it’s not all bliss.
Read more »
German tourist, 68, found dead on Greek islandHiker, whose body was discovered near a ravine in Crete, is sixth tourist to die in the country this month amid soaring temperatures
Read more »