Free, I am. These defiant words adorn Nikos Kazantzakis’s tomb. Here at the Nikos Kazantzakis Plaque in Berlin, we celebrate a life lived on those very terms.
The Nikos Kazantzakis Plaque marks a place where this celebrated Greek writer once lived and worked. Kazantzakis was born in 1883 on the island of Crete. His family had to flee during the Cretan revolt of 1897. They found refuge on the island of Naxos. There he attended the French School of the Holy Cross.
From 1902 to 1906, he pursued law at Athens University. He began as a journalist and later wrote plays and travel journals. Kazantzakis’s travels began in 1907. He explored many countries in Europe and Asia.
Berlin played a significant role in Kazantzakis’s literary journey. He belonged to a group of radical intellectuals in Berlin. It was here that he started his epic poem The Odyssey. He finally completed it in 1938.
Kazantzakis didn’t write novels until he was almost 60. His most famous work, Zorba the Greek, came out in 1946. Other notable novels include Freedom and Death and The Last Temptation. The Vatican even placed The Last Temptation on the Index of forbidden books. His autobiographical novel, Return to Greco, was published in 1961.
He finally settled in Antibes with his second wife. Kazantzakis died of leukemia in October 1957. He was buried in Heraklion. His tomb bears the epitaph I hope for nothing. I fear nothing. I am free.
The Nikos Kazantzakis Plaque serves as a reminder of his time in Berlin. This is where he began his monumental work. It embodies his spirit of freedom and intellectual exploration. It symbolizes his dedication to literature and philosophy.
Imagine Kazantzakis walking these streets. He would be deep in thought. He would be wrestling with ideas that would later fill his novels and poems. Picture him debating with fellow intellectuals. He would be shaping his unique worldview.
Consider the impact of Berlin’s radical intellectual scene. It would have fueled his creativity. It would have challenged his perspectives. This period marked a pivotal moment in his development as a writer.
The Nikos Kazantzakis Plaque stands as a testament to his enduring legacy. His works continue to inspire readers around the world. They explore themes of freedom, spirituality, and the human condition. His time in Berlin was formative. It helped shape the writer we celebrate today.