Eleni N. Kazantzaki

Eleni N. Kazantzakis (April 30, 1903 - February 18, 2004). An autobiographical note by Eleni N. Kazantzakis published in the bimonthly magazine "Hellenic Panorama," Issue 39, May - June 2004 (ISSN: 1108-2585): "I was born in Athens on April 30, 1903 (my passport says 1904, but that's a mistake). I only received a high school diploma in 1919. At 15, I became an orphan, losing both my mother and father. My guardians, although university professors, believed that 'orphans' do not pursue higher education. They become seamstresses or milliners, even if they have enough (and more!) wealth to afford a good education. I wrote a short story about this tragic adventure, "The Orphans," which was published in "Nea Estia" translated by P. Prevelakis. (Our wealth evaporated. It wasn't stolen; it was managed, I can say, in the most foolish way!) In 1924, I met Nikos. In 1926, he was the first to suggest that I become a journalist. G. Vlachos accepted and gave me a press card, allowing me to travel to Palestine - Cyprus with Nikos and my two childhood friends, Kaiti and Marika Papaioannou. The articles I wrote during this forty-day trip were published in "Kathimerini," and G. Vlachos even praised me highly! In 1926, I left for Paris (October), sent by "Kathimerini." My collaboration with this newspaper lasted about a year and a half. Meanwhile, I also worked with two other Athens newspapers, one of Kotzias (Kostas) and, I think, one of Diakos. I believe I wrote, or rather I am sure I wrote, for a magazine under a pseudonym... Unfortunately or fortunately, I didn't keep any notes from all this, and I remember it very vaguely... In my correspondence with Nikos, I saw references to Vlachos and Ventiris, who asked for my collaboration and wanted to pay me well, but I declined because I was preparing for Russia, and I couldn't manage three newspapers! In August 1928, I went to meet Nikos - Panait in Russia (Moscow). From then on, Nikos and I lived as a couple, without a wedding or priest, for eighteen whole years! We lived very happily. In 1929 (spring), in Gottesgab, I began writing "Gandhi," which I finished there on the beautiful mountain. From Russia, I sent articles published in two Parisian newspapers, "Oeuvre" and "Comedia." I also wrote and published a couple of articles in a magazine Larousse published at the time, but I can't remember its name. Those papers were lost in various moves... It doesn't matter... Venice didn't lose a needle!! Much later, in Aegina, in 1935 if I'm not mistaken, I wrote "The True Tragedy of Panait Istrati," published in Santiago, Chile, by the Ersilia publishing house (where "Gandhi" was also published, translated from French, by Delachaux and Niestlé, Neuchâtel, Switzerland). In 1967, I completed the biography of Nikos [referring to "The Uncompromising"], "Dissident." (It has been published in France, America, England, Germany, and Spain). It is also set to be published in Athens and Brazil. I have written, especially in 1935, when I was bedridden for many months, several poems, some of which I believe withstand the test of time. In recent years, I attended the Cannes Film Festival from Antipolis and sent articles from there to "Nea Estia." I don't clearly remember how many translations I've done, but I've translated several Chinese and Japanese works, as well as African songs... I have written two forewords, which I believe are worthy of Nikos, as they introduce "Toda Raba" and "Report to Greco." I also completed our journey to Japan - China [referring to "Traveling: Japan - China"], which was published not only in Greek but also in French and English in both countries, America and England. (I imagine the Chinese invited me twice because of this travelogue. I only went once after Nikos's death. The first time I couldn't, because I was leaving for... Japan!) What gave me some solace during these last hard years were the lectures. About Greece, Kazantzakis, Freedom, Vietnam, and China! (and Cyprus!! of course). The first lecture I gave, in France, about "Gandhi," was truly successful and thrilled Nikos. Since then, I have spoken in Athens about Israel, in France again about Israel, and then about Japan - China and again about Greece, Vietnam, and China. I have spoken many times on various radio and television programs... For the past five years, every spring, I have been invited to the U.S.A., where I spoke at various universities and simultaneously in public halls and gatherings of Greeks, such as in Chicago, invited by the Association of Greek Scientists, at the Ecumenical Institute, etc. I forgot to tell you that I first spoke about Greece's plight in Canada, in Montreal, together with Mr. Rouseas, and a little earlier (and I had forgotten this too) in Geneva, at the Rencontres Internationales. Believe it or not, the Portuguese delegates were crying over our hardships. Then I opened the World Women's Congress in Montreal with a lecture on Freedom, the Atomic Bomb, and Vietnam. And in Brussels, again at a large Socialist Congress, I spoke about Greece. In America, I started with New York, at Columbia University. Then in San Francisco, at Berkeley, in Los Angeles, at Ball University in Muncie, in Indianapolis, in Minneapolis, in Bloomington, in Chicago, etc. etc. etc... Springfield, Dartmouth, etc. etc. etc... I also spoke with Papandreou in New York. Please remember, I urge you, to correct in your manuscript that I did not go many times to Drake University, only twice. On May 8, 1974, for the lecture on Nikos and on the 18th for the Graduation Ceremony. For the 'Honoris causa' degree, I was nominated by Mr. R. Osborne, whom I only met once in my life, but who knew and had heard what I was saying at various universities and had also read my book about Nikos. Mr. Osborne, a theology professor, taught Nikos's "ODYSSEY" for an entire year in 1974 at the Theological School where he teaches. These are, in general terms, to help you understand why they decided to award me such an honorary degree! I also collaborated with Prof. Panetsos and Nikos on two readers. One of them, for the 3rd Grade of Elementary School, was approved