Name of the centre
The House of Literature in Crete
Staff
Management Director: Hélène Zervas
History
KRASSI, the birthplace of the Alexiou family (Lefteris, Galateia and Elli), is situated at the foot of Selena mountain, at an altitude of 600 metres. It has 180 inhabitants and is 9 kilometres from the centre of the municipality, Malia. At the heart of the village stands an old plane tree. It is 24 metres in circumference and 100 metres in the spread of its branches. It is surrounded by arc-shaped stone drinking fountains, created by artisans at the beginning of the 20th century, which provide cold water throughout most of the year. In the early 20th century, Nikos Kazantzakis, husband of Galateia, Kostas Varnalis, Yorgos Veis, Elli Alexiou and Vassos Daskalakis among others, spent their summers at Krassi as guests of the Alexiou family. Inspired by this literary circle, the Municipality of Malia has been organizing, since 2000, a two-day cultural festival known as the “Krassian Circle” with the participation of important personalities from the world of literature, music and theatre.
The collaboration of the European Translation Centre - Literature and Human Sciences (EKEMEL) with the Municipality of Malia started in the spring of 2009. The House of Literature occupies the village’s renovated stone-built primary school which dates from the last quarter of the 19th century and which operated until 1975. Today the old school has been converted into a guest-house whilst still retaining its architectural features.
Mission
The House of Literature offers hospitality to writers and translators. Priority will be given to Greek authors and translators of Greek literature into foreign languages.
How to find us
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Hospitality
The House of Literature at Krassi affords the ideal working conditions for writers and translators. It consists of 2 double rooms, fully equipped kitchen and dining-room, desktop computers, internet connection and a library. Writers and translators can stay at the House of Literature for a period of one week to two months.
Application
The cost for one week stay at the House of Literature is 70€ for EU citizens. For non EU citizens, the cost of residence is 20€/person/day.
Please note that residence booking is effective after payment for participation.
All those wishing to stay at the House of Literature are required to send an application form to EKEMEL. You can click here to download the application form (Acrobat Reader) or here to download the application form (Microsoft Word).
The application form must be sent at:
European Translation Centre - Literature and Human Sciences (EKEMEL)
2 Lykavittou Street
106-71, Athens
Tel. +30-210-363 95 20
Fax +30-210-363 93 50
E-mail: grammateia@REMOVE.ekemel.gr
Website: www.ekemel.gr