Kostas Krystallis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Costa Cristalli, known as Kostas Krystallis
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| Κώστας Κρυστάλλης | |
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| Born | 1868 |
| Died | 1894 Arta (Epirus), Greece
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| Nationality | Greek |
| Occupation | poet, author |
Kostas Krystallis (Greek: Κώστας Κρυστάλλης; 1868–1894) was a Greek writer and poet. He was known for his poems and stories about nature and village life. He was born in Epirus, which was part of the Ottoman Empire at the time.
Krystallis had to escape to Greece because he wrote patriotic poems. These poems were against the Ottoman rulers. At first, he wrote in an older, more formal Greek language. But later, he started using the everyday Greek language, called Demotic. His writing often showed his love for nature. Many of his works were inspired by traditional folk stories and songs.
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His Life Story
Kostas Krystallis was born in 1868 in a village called Syrrako. This village was in Epirus, which was then part of the Ottoman Empire. His family was Aromanian. His father was a local merchant.
When his mother passed away, Kostas moved with his father to Ioannina. There, he went to a high school called Zosimaia. While he was a student, he wrote his first collection of poems. It was called Σκιαί του Άδου ("Shadows of Hades"). This work was very patriotic. Because of it, the Ottoman authorities found out and sentenced him to 25 years in exile. But Krystallis managed to escape to Greece in 1886.
Life in Athens
After escaping, Kostas Krystallis lived in Athens. He worked many different jobs to support himself. He was a typographer and helped edit an encyclopedia. He also worked as a secretary for a magazine called Η Εβδομάς ("The Week"). Later, he became a ticket inspector for the national railway.
For a short time, he wrote for a newspaper called Φωνή της Ηπείρου (Voice of Epirus). In this newspaper, he wrote about the rights of people from his home region, Epirus. Epirus was still under Ottoman control. In 1893, he lost his job. However, he won a lottery prize! This prize helped him pay to publish some of his new works. Sadly, Kostas Krystallis died from tuberculosis on April 22, 1894. He was only 26 years old.
His Writings
Krystallis wrote a small number of poems and stories. His first collection, Σκιαί του Άδου ("Shadows of Hades"), was finally published in 1894. This was the same year he died.
In 1890, he wrote a long poem called Ο καλόγηρος της Κλεισούρας του Μεσσολογγίου ("The monk of Kleisoura of Missolonghi"). The next year, his work Αγροτικά ("Pastorals") won an award in a poetry contest. During this time, his writing style was greatly influenced by another poet, Aristotelis Valaoritis. In 1893, he wrote his last collection, Ο τραγουδιστής του χωριού και της στάνης ("The singer of the Village and the Fold"). This work also received praise in a poetry contest.
Writing Style Changes
At first, Krystallis wrote in an older, more formal Greek language. He was part of a group of romantic poets. But after 1891, he started using the everyday Greek language, called Demotic. He was also influenced by a new group of writers known as the New Athenian school. This group included famous poets like Kostis Palamas, who wrote the Olympic Hymn. During this time, many of Krystallis's poems were based on traditional folk songs and stories.
Krystallis, along with Christos Christovasilis, wrote short patriotic stories. These stories were inspired by the brave fighters of the Greek War of Independence (1821–1830). He especially wrote about the Souliotes, who were known for their courage. People often describe Krystallis as a poet who loved and wrote about nature and rural life. It is said that he never truly felt comfortable living in the city.
His Legacy
Kostas Krystallis was one of several Greek poets and writers from his time who died very young. Today, there is an annual festival held in Athens every summer. It is called the Krystalleia, named after Kostas Krystallis. This festival features performances of both modern and classical Greek music. His childhood home is now a museum. It helps protect the cultural heritage of the Aromanian people in the region.
Bibliography: Poetry and Stories
- Σκιαί του Άδου (Shadows of Hades)
- Ο καλόγηρος της Κλεισούρας του Μεσσολογγίου (The monk of Kleisoura of Missolonghi)
- Αγροτικά (Pastorals)
- Τραγουδιστής του χωριού και της Στάνης (The singer of the Village and the Fold)
- Πεζογραφήματα (Novels)
- Γκόλφω (Golfo)
- Ψωμοπάτης
- Αρπαγή (Seizure)
- Αθάνατο νερό (Immortal water)
- Θάνατος της βοσκοπούλας (Death of the Shepherdess)
- Αναμνήσεις (Memories)
- Όνειρο (Dream)
