Notes on the Modern Greek Literary Model (From Its Beginnings to the 1930s)

Abstract

This article examines the peculiarities of the modern Greek literary model, spanning from its emergence following the national liberation of 1821 to the transformative period of the 1930s. Particular emphasis is placed on the continuity between folk traditions and modern Greek literature, facilitated by the adoption of the dimotiki language form as the foundation for artistic literary expression. The study explores the interplay of internal and external cultural influences throughout this extended period, highlighting their impact on the aesthetic (self)definition of contemporary Greek literature. A central focus is placed on the developmental framework of national literature proposed by Georgios Theotokas (1905–1966) in his seminal essay “The Free Spirit” (1929).