ELYTIS HOUSE
MUSEUM
A major Greek poet, Odysseus Elytis —a poet of open horizons, of profound ideas and of radiant expressionism— left a work which constitutes a national treasure of the highest importance.
His poetry, with its multiple symbolism, its power and the universal values it promotes, constitutes a strong counterbalance to the constant depreciation of many of our fundamental principles.
The Elytis’ House - Museum has as its aim to serve the basic concepts of Elytis’ thought by organizing a singular exhibition that enables the visitor to approach the ideas, lyrical images, simplicity and aesthetic of the poet.
To this end, the small Elytis’ House - Museum has been structured along two lines: the presentation of information concerning the life and work of Odysseus Elytis —which includes as an invaluable exhibit the poet’s study— and the initiation into the workings of poetry through the visitor’s personal experience and his relationship with the surroundings and the authentic documents.
Housing exclusively the private collection of Ioulita Iliopoulou, which comprises art works, objects, books and various archival material of Odysseus Elytis, the museum is arranged according to the following specific areas and topics:
INTRODUCTORY EXHIBITION
A brief chronological outline presents the main landmarks in the poet’s life and work—covering the nine decades of his life.
Extracts from Elytis’ writings together with archival material — manuscripts, art works and objects— form concise thematic units on language, the writing process, the diachrony of Greek, the basic axes of his poetry, and his relationship with other arts.
A small collection of paintings with works dear to Elytis completes the introductory exhibition.
REPRESENTATION OF ELYTIS’ STUDY
The inner room on the ground floor contains and presents a faithful representation of Odysseus Elytis’ workspace.
It includes: the desk he used during his school years and throughout the course of his life as an author, lounge furniture —couch from Skyros, low table fashioned from an old, decorated chest— together with his bookcase, designed by Yannis Moralis to hold around seven hundred books from his private collection. The room also contains the art works which decorated the walls of his apartment.
The room offers a singular experience to the visitor and, at the same time, provides an important and indirect lesson in aesthetics and simplicity.
ROOM FOR FUNCTIONS
A room for multiple uses, with a capacity of eighty (80) seats, equipped with a grand piano and audio installations.
LIBRARY
Α library with books by Elytis and also books on his poetry, together with numerous foreign publications and translations of his work. The room also contains two elegant bookcases belonging to Odysseas Elytis with mainly works of French literature.
