Nikos Kazantzakis in Aegina

The favorite island of Argosaronicos, Aegina stands out and is an ideal destination for summer holidays and short getaways. Sun, sea, interesting archaeological and religious sites, picturesque paths and villages, shops with traditional products, endless options for entertainment. These are included in the context of a first acquaintance with the island. But did you know that Aegina was and continues to be a pole of attraction for old and modern artists? Among them is the legendary writer Nikos Kazantzakis. Let's get to know a few things about Nikos Kazantzakis in Aegina.

The transition to the island

According to the locals, every spot of Aegina hides a story behind it. It is an island that has attracted many famous artists due to its unique aura that derives from the unique combination of abundant light, air and sea. This also happened with Nikos Kazantzakis. Returning from Asia in 1931, the well-traveled writer settled in Aegina. He buys a field in the small settlement of Livadi, 2 km north of the city of Aegina. Kazantzakis had fallen in love with the island, which is why he decided to build his permanent residence there, his "cocoon", as he characteristically called it. His example was later followed by other geniuses of artistic life.

Life at home in Aegina

Kazantzakis' house began to be built in 1936 in the Plakia area, designed by the architect Vassilis Douras. Before it was even completed, the author moved into the house with his wife Eleni. The house was completed with personal work by the couple themselves. In this house in Aegina he intended to isolate himself during the occupation and to write or complete the works and masterpieces that later found a worldwide impact. As it happened. The author had found his refuge during the war (1940-1944) on the hospitable island. The endless view of the house to the sea was not interrupted by anything. In that house, Kazantzakis completed the sixth writing of the Odyssey, the Tertsines, translated Dante, Hauptmann, Cocteau, Shakespeare, Goethe, Pirandello. There he wrote the impressions of his travels, novels in French and plays. The writer's daily life included bathing in the rocks below the house and long hours of writing in his office on the roof of the house.

Kazantzakis' house today

Famous names passed through this house, which has been preserved to this day and has been renovated, such as Angelos Sikelianos, his good friend and writer Pantelis Prevelakis, the classical philologist Fanis Kakridis and other friends of the couple. The house of Nikos Kazantzakis is not open to the public, but there is a stone inscription where it is written that "Nikos Kazantzakis lived here". In this house the writer lived until 1946. After he returned to Athens, he returned to the island of Aegina a few times to spend short periods of time there.

Tags: Nikos Kazantzakis, Aegina, writer