Michalis Katsaros

Michalis Katsaros (1919-1998) was born in Kyparissia. At a young age, he joined leftist political organizations and participated in the National Resistance during the German occupation. In 1945, he moved to Athens, where he lived for many years under challenging conditions, working in various jobs such as a cashier in a commercial store, a journalist for the underground press, and a radio employee. He collaborated with magazines like "Themelio" (1947), "Poetic Art," "New Greek," "Athenian Letters," and "Stochos" (1950). In 1975, he published the magazine "Systema," where he mainly featured his own writings. His literary debut occurred in 1946 with the publication of the poem "The Barber's Ship" in the magazine "Free Letters." In the same year, he published the poem "Vgenio" in free verse in the same magazine. In 1949, he released his first poetry collection titled "Mesolongi." He married the painter Koula Maragopoulou. He published several poetry collections, including "Mesolongi," 1949, "Against Sadducees," 1953, "Plateau," 1956, "Treatise," 1975, "Rehearsal and Odes," 1975, "Garments," 1977, "Alphabet - Poems A-Z," 1978, "Names," 1980, "3M+3M=6M," 1981, "4 Maginot," 1982, "Minus Eggs," 1985, "The Poet's Father," 1987, "Correct, Fear of the Poet," 1996, "Nine to Seven," 1997, essays such as "Pas-Lakis Michelet," 1973, "Modern Brochures," 1977-78, "Imperial Reality," 1995, "The State as Employer," 1996, and the novel "The Collectors of Monochra," 1980. His poems have been translated into many languages and set to music by M. Theodorakis, G. Markopoulos, and A. Kounadis. "Against Sadducees" was presented as a musical piece by a German composer at the "Queen Elizabeth Hall" in South Bank, London (the English press compared him to poets Brecht, Ho Chi Minh, and Pantila). He passed away in Athens. For biographical details from the poet himself, see his collection "Kazamia of Greeks," Athens, Mandragoras, 1996. Also, refer to Alexandros Argyriou, "Michalis Katsaros," in "Greek Poetry: The First Post-War Generation," pp. 374-375. Athens, Sokolis, 1982, and h.s., "Katsaros Michalis," World Biographical Dictionary 4. Athens, Ekdotiki Athinon, 1985. For an approach to his poetic art, see the poet's interview with Michel Fais in the magazine "Diavazo," issue 370, 1/1997, pp. 104-119. (Source: Archive of Greek Authors, EKEBI) (Photo: Kostas Ordolis)