Melissanthi

Melissanthi (Greek: Μελισσάνθη) was the pen name used by Eve Chougia-Skandalaki (Greek: Ήβη Κούγια - Σκανδαλάκη; April 8, 1910[1] – November 9, 1991), a Greek poet, teacher and journalist.[2] Some sources say that she died in 1990.[3] Her first name also appears as Ivi or Hebe; her surname also appears as Koúyia or Koughia.[2]

She was born Eve Chougia in Athens and studied music, drawing, ballet and classical dance. From 1923 to 1924, she was in a Swiss sanitarium recovering from tuberculosis.[1] She studied French, German and English at institutes in Athens.[3] She went on to teach French in Athens high schools. She also contributed critical essays to newspapers and literary journals. In 1932, she married Giannes Skandalákis (Greek: Ιωάννη Σκανδαλάκη).[1]

Her first poetry collection Phōnes entomou (Insect voices) was published in 1930. She went on to publish ten poetry collections. A collection of her poetry Ta poiimata tis Melissanthis 1930-1974 (The poems of Melissanthi) was published in 1976. She also wrote a children's play O mikros adhelfos (The little brother), which received the Sikiaridio Prize. She translated the works of foreign poets such as Robert Frost, Emily Dickinson[1] and Rainer Maria Rilke into Greek.[3]

Her early poetry draws its inspiration from religious themes; later poems are influenced by existential concepts.[3]

Awards that she received include:

  • an Athens Academy Award in 1936 for O gyrismos tou asotou
  • a Palamas Honourable Mention in 1945 for Lyriki Exomologisi[4]
  • a State Prize for Poetry in 1965
  • a Gold Cross of the Order of Deeds of Merit in 1965[1]

Selected works[1]
  • Profiteies (Prophecies) (1931, 1940)
  • O gyrismos tou asotou (Return of the prodigal) (1935)
  • Lyriki Exomologisi (Lyrical confessions) (1945)
  • Anthropino Schima (Human shape) (1961)
  • To fragma tis Siopis (The barrier of silence) (1965)

References
  1. Wilson, Katharina M (1991). An Encyclopedia of Continental Women Writers. Vol. 1. pp. 815–16. ISBN 0824085477.
  2. Women in World History: A Biographical Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on 2015-04-02.
  3. Merry, Bruce (2004). Encyclopedia of Modern Greek Literature. p. 269. ISBN 0313308136.
  4. Parker, Alan; Willhardt, Mark (2005). Who's Who in Twentieth Century World Poetry. p. 216. ISBN 1134713762.


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