Visit of the delegation of the International Society of Friends of Nikos Kazantzakis in Polička

On Wednesday 14th May, the town of Polička welcomed an important delegation from Greece, representing the International Society of Friends of Nikos Kazantzakis. The delegation consisted of Mr. George Stasinakis, former president of the society, Mrs. Katerina Zografistou, current president, Mr. Pantelis Kogiamis, conductor and musicologist, Mrs. Kateřina Maýrová, musicologist, and Mrs. Dagmar Boušková, interpreter.

Mr. Josef Dvořák, the director, gave the opening remarks, welcoming the guests and recalling the long-standing cooperation between the Greek writer Nikos Kazantzakis and the native of Polička, the composer Bohuslav Martinů. This artistic link is most strongly evident in the opera The Greek Passion, which Bohuslav Martinů composed based on Kazantzakis's novel Jesus Re-Crucified.

The welcome was followed by a short musical programme. The Juliettes choir performed with piano accompaniment by Iva Komárková and musicians Helena Kadidlová and Jana Dalíková. A presentation on Polička and Bohuslav Martinů was also prepared for the Greek guests by Miriam Kašparová.

This year the International Society of Friends of Nikos Kazantzakis marks the 37th anniversary of its foundation. The Society actively organises cultural events not only in Greece but also all over the world. It currently has 5160 members in 119 countries.