Galateia Grigoriadou - Soureli

Galatea Grigoriadou-Soureli (1930-2016) was born in Kavala. She studied at the School of Social Workers and the School of Journalism "Damascus." She made her debut in children's literature with the books "Red Thread Tied" (1954), "Let the Fairy Tale Begin" (1955), and "The Good Friend" (1956). In 1964, she was awarded the "Women's Literary Society" prize for her historical novel "The Little Firebrand" and the following year for her fairy tale "Dancing in the Forest." In 1969, the Circle of Greek Children's Books awarded her for the fairy tale "The Sparrow with the Red Vest," which also won in the Pan-European Competition of the Pedagogical Institute of Padua. In 1972, the "Circle" awarded her the Municipality of Athens prize for the original novel-fairy tale "Alexis with the Wooden Horse." Her book "I Care," awarded by the Circle of Greek Children's Books, was included in the honorary list of the international Andersen award. She also wrote: "Kottas," a fictionalized biography of the first Macedonian fighter (award 1970), "At the Roots of Freedom" historical monographs (award 1970), "Rigas Feraios" a fictionalized biography (award 1970), "Katerina" fairy tale (1970), "Fourfouris" fairy tale (1970), "Zitoulas for the Nation" play (Award 1971), "The Twelve Moons" novels (1974), "Demetrios the New Martyr" fictionalized biography (1975), "Africa Winwega" ("Africa Good Morning") novel (1975), "Game Without Rules," "In the Company of the Wind," "The Dogs of Saint Bernard," "Hot Memories from Smyrna" first prize of the National Society of Greek Writers. "How the Forest Was Made" (1983), "Before the End" Christian Letters award (1988), "Doremi and a Dog" (1989), "The Big Farewell" (1990) first prize of the Union of Smyrnians, "Our Circus" (1989), and many others. For 25 years, she collaborated with the radio station "Piraeus Church." She was a member of the editorial board of the magazines "Swallows," "Trumpets," and "Routes." She was also a member of the National Society of Greek Writers and the Circle of Greek Children's Books. In 1980, the Academy of Athens awarded her the Children's Literature prize for her body of work. She passed away full of days in Kifisia on September 23, 2016, leaving behind children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.