A dispute over copyright ownership of the works of Greece’ s most renowned writer Nikos Kazantzakis erupted this week, when the Supreme Court in Greece ruled that Mr. Patroclos Stavrou, the adopted son of his late widow, Eleni, is his rightful heir. The decision means Mr. Kazantzaki’s family and relatives will be excluded from the preservation of his legacy.
The court’s ruling has set off strong emotional reactions and distressed relatives and admirers of the author of ‘Zorba the Greek’, are considering taking further action. They fervently believe that the court’s decision does not settle the issue of publication and translation of all this great man’s works. They also maintain that Mr. Stavrou, a Cypriot philologist, has failed over the years to protect Κazantzaki’s legacy. For this reason, The International Society of the Friends of Nikos Kazantzakis began a global campaign last year, gathering some 4,008 signatures in 92 countries, to “save and promote” his artistic legacy. The Nobel prize-winning novelist Nadine Gordimer and the French politician, Ségolène Royal, are among those who have signed the petition, addressed to the Greek President.
Eleni Kazantakis, a widow of more than 40 years, met Stavrou in 1967, during a visit to the island and adopted him as her legal son fifteen years later when he was in his fifties. However, friends of Kazantzaki’s works, criticize the fact that, not only did this action result in Stavrou becoming the legal, rightful heir, but also that Stavrou has done nothing to promote the author’s legacy and give access to his publications worldwide.
Kazantzakis was indeed a passionate essayist and traveler, who wrote more than 30 books, translated Shakespeare and Dante and has an extended range of novels. When he was alive, he lived under constant persecution from the Greek Orthodox Church and critics despite his popularity. It is a shame, that even today, he has not fully gained the respect he deserves and that a great deal of his work still remains unread.
(source: guardian)
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