Creația lui Nikos Kazantzakis și Franța – între atracție și respingere

Abstract

Nikos Kazantzakis (1883-1957) is one of the most profound writers of European literature, one of the most translated Greek writers, a fervent fighter for culture, freedom and human dignity. Born in Crete, educated in a French Catholic school in Naxos, than studying later also in Paris (1907-1909), French has become almost as a second mother tongue for the greek writer. The French language and culture greatly nourished and influenced him in his thinking and creation. Nikos Kazantzaki read extensively in French, translated a large number of works from French into Greek (including children’s books), with much of his correspondence being conducted in French. He even wrote novels directly in French – Toda Raba and The Rock Garden, for exemple. However, his relationship with France, a country where he often stayed, is rather contradictory, being marked by ups and downs. The article focuses on the French influences, on the attractions and rejections in the work and thinking of the great Cretan, who despite everything remains a profoundly Greek writer.