Sometimes bittersweet, sometimes tender, sometimes touching, sometimes humorous, sometimes permeated by a subtle irony, sometimes, again, deeply thoughtful, her stories, always, are undeniably perfect. Tasty “bites” – because of their extent – of enviable literature. She included 82 such stories in her new book “Tou kairou po empeni” (published by Kihli), giving us, once again, reading pleasure. Maria Stasinopoulou talks to “P” about her new collection of short stories.
-Insist on the short form, to use the verb of the title of your new book. The reason?
I love precision and brevity in speech and the small form helps me to express more clearly what I have to say. Besides, I think this is dictated by the age of images in which we live. I also see my stories a bit like photographic shots with special lighting.
-Also, persist, you make it clear, and on the subject of time, since this book of yours comes as a continuation of the previous “Exercises of resistance to time”. What is the reason for your persistence?
As I said, on the occasion of my previous book, time is the anvil on which our endurance is tested, either as age or as wear and tear or as loss. With the new book Of the weather that persists I mean: Time, which runs through our lives inexorably, insists on keeping us still alive, testing us, wearing us down, enduring us.
-Is reality a reservoir from which you fish your stories or are some of them figments of your imagination?
As a rule, I am inspired by reality, an inexhaustible reservoir. All texts have an experiential or experienced core, but the real event is refined and modified in various ways.
-Do you sometimes feel, or still give the feeling to those close to you, that you act as an observer who records their words, movements, behaviors, in order to put them on paper in your own way?
I don’t know if I give this feeling or if I myself feel “as an observer recording…” but the fact is that I have practiced observing and introspecting people for years. There is always a pad and pencil in my bag. But I also have an inner fear that someone might recognize themselves in one of my heroes and get annoyed.
-How would you describe the struggle with words to compose your short, but so “juicy” prose?
The conscious struggle with words starts from the time when, as a teacher, I wanted to teach children to write correctly. By learning from others, you learn yourself. Many times I made it an exercise for us all to write one paragraph, the same one, and try to make it as dense and clear as possible. It takes time to condense and condense the speech and many rewrites. Pascal used to say to a friend: “I apologize for writing you so much, but, unfortunately, I have not had time to write you a little.”
-Since I mentioned, above, the words. You write in “Linguistic explosions” how many times you are surprised “by the power of language, but mainly by the sound and the meaning of some words”. How did you come to love the language and to what extent do you think it is abused nowadays?
I loved the language and studied it through reading and the great teachers I had. I don’t believe it is abused nowadays. As a living organism, language receives a variety of influences, assimilates, modifies and finally discards the unnecessary.
-Through some stories, you see the catalytic effect of parents even on their children’s dreams, causing them to be cancelled. This particular condition of the past still applies today, you say?
Greek parents will never give up their obsession with interfering and sometimes regulating their children’s lives. Of course there are exceptions. Hopefully the younger generations will react more aggressively. Although, I’m afraid, children are comfortable in their mother’s and father’s arms, even if they protest or feel oppressed.
-Death makes its appearance a few times in your book, and some of them, you approach it with humor. How do you “stand” against him?
Slovenian intellectual Zarko Petan tells the Aphorisms of: “Death is nothing special. It happens to others all my life.” It’s not so much death that scares me as physical death. With humor I try to exorcise evil.
-Quote a nice phrase of Camus about charm, in the title of the prose collection. How do you define this valuable quality for a person?
Camus says it excellently. But if I have to add my own touch, for me charm is, above all, a matter of education and inner radiance; it has to do with the special way one exists and co-exists.
– Side by side “Mytilini 1975” and “Open comparisons”, which I connect with an invisible thread to “What I missed”, to ask you: what are the “valuables” for Maria Stassinopoulou as a philologist, writer, critic literature but also a woman?
There are many questions. Will you allow me to put it all under what values I consider essential for a harmonious life: Freedom, self-sufficiency, self-esteem, honesty, respect for the opinion of others, tolerance, empathy, friendship, humor, the luxury of revision when you find that you misjudged something, in short humanity.
Thank you very much Mrs. Kouninioti for once again honoring me with your love and interest. Many thanks to the newspaper for the hospitality Peloponnesewith which I am connected by time-forgotten kinship ties.
#love #precision #brevity #speech
Table of Contents
Unveiling the World of Maria Stassinopoulou: Philologist, Writer, and Critic
Maria Stassinopoulou, a renowned Greek writer, philologist, and literary critic, has once again delighted readers with her new collection of short stories, “Tou kairou po empeni” (published by Kihli). In a recent interview, Stassinopoulou shared her insights on her writing process, the power of language, and the importance of time, reality, and charm.
The Power of Brevity
Stassinopoulou’s latest book is a testament to her love for precision and brevity in speech. She believes that the short form allows her to express herself more clearly, likening her stories to photographic shots with special lighting. This concise approach is particularly relevant in today’s age of images, where attention spans are shorter than ever.
Time and Persistence
Stassinopoulou’s persistence in exploring the theme of time is evident in her new book, which serves as a continuation of her previous work, ”Exercises of resistance to time.” For her, time is the anvil on which our endurance is tested, and she seeks to examine how it wears us down and keeps us alive. This theme is a common thread throughout her work, as she continues to explore the complexities of time and its impact on human experience.
Reality and Imagination
When asked about the inspiration behind her stories, Stassinopoulou revealed that she draws heavily from reality, an inexhaustible reservoir of experiences and emotions. While her stories are rooted in reality, she refines and modifies them in various ways, demonstrating her unique approach to storytelling.
The Art of Observation
Stassinopoulou’s keen observational skills are essential to her writing process. She carries a pad and pencil with her, constantly observing and introspecting people, and has done so for years. This practice has honed her ability to capture the essence of human behavior and translate it into compelling stories.
The Struggle with Words
The struggle to find the perfect words is a crucial aspect of Stassinopoulou’s writing process. She learned the importance of concise language through her experience as a teacher, where she encouraged students to write correctly and concisely. This approach has carried over into her own writing, where she strives to create dense, clear, and impactful prose.
The Beauty of Language
Stassinopoulou’s love for language is palpable in her writing. She believes that language is a living organism that receives various influences, assimilates, modifies, and discards the unnecessary. This dynamic nature of language is what makes it so powerful and beautiful.
Charm and Inner Radiance
When asked about the concept of charm, Stassinopoulou emphasized its connection to education and inner radiance. For her, charm is not just a superficial quality but rather a reflection of one’s character, way of being, and coexistence.
A Critical Voice
As a philologist, writer, and critic, Stassinopoulou brings a unique perspective to the literary world. Her work is a testament to her dedication to exploring the complexities of human experience, and her critical voice is an important contribution to the literary landscape.
Conclusion
Maria Stassinopoulou’s latest collection of short stories is a masterclass in concise, powerful storytelling. Her unique approach to exploring time, reality, and language has resulted in a body of work that is both thought-provoking and engaging. As a philologist, writer, and critic, Stassinopoulou continues to inspire and delight readers, cementing her place as a prominent figure in Greek literature.
References:
[1] Maria A Stassinopoulou – University of Vienna (https://univie.academia.edu/mariastassinopoulou)
[3] Maria Stasinopoulou – Wikidata (
What themes do Maria Stasinopoulou explore in her latest collection of short stories, “Tou kairou po empeni”?
The Art of Storytelling: An Insight into Maria Stasinopoulou’s Literary World
Maria Stasinopoulou, a renowned author, has recently released her new book “Tou kairou po empeni”, a collection of 82 short stories that showcase her exceptional writing skills. In a candid conversation, Stasinopoulou shared her thoughts on her writing process, inspiration, and the themes that resonate in her stories.
The Power of Brevity
Stasinopoulou’s love for precision and brevity in speech is evident in her preference for the short form. She believes that the small form helps her express her ideas more clearly, citing the age of images as a driving force behind her concise writing style. Her stories, much like photographic shots with special lighting, capture the essence of human experience in a few, well-chosen words.
Time: The Anvil of Endurance
Stasinopoulou’s latest book is a continuation of her previous work, “Exercises of Resistance to Time”. She explains that time is a relentless force that tests our endurance, wearing us down, and losing us. Her persistence in exploring this theme stems from her conviction that time is the ultimate arbiter of our lives, shaping our experiences and emotions.
Reality vs. Imagination
The author’s inspiration comes from reality, which she calls an “inexhaustible reservoir”. While her stories have an experiential core, she refines and modifies the real events to create unique narratives. Stasinopoulou’s observational skills, honed over years of introspecting people, enable her to craft memorable characters that resonate with her readers.
The Struggle with Words
The conscious struggle with words begins with the desire to teach children to write correctly, a lesson she learned from her own experience as a teacher. By condensing and refining her writing, Stasinopoulou creates dense, clear prose that is both engaging and thought-provoking.
Linguistic Explosions
Stasinopoulou’s love for language was fostered through reading and studying under great teachers. She doesn’t believe that language is abused today, instead, it adapts to the influences it receives, assimilating and evolving over time. Her fascination with the power of language, particularly the sound and meaning of certain words, is a testament to her passion for the craft.
Parents and Their Children’s Dreams
The author’s stories often highlight the significant impact parents have on their children’s dreams, sometimes canceling them out. Stasinopoulou laments that Greek parents continue to interfere with their children’s lives, regulating their choices and aspirations. She hopes that younger generations will react more assertively against this trend.
Death and Humor
Death is a recurring theme in Stasinopoulou’s book, often treated with humor. She draws inspiration from Slovenian intellectual Zarko Petan’s aphorism, “Death is nothing special. It happens to others all my life.” By using humor, Stasinopoulou attempts to exorcise the fear of death, acknowledging that it’s not death itself that’s daunting, but the physical aspect of it.
Charm and Education
When asked about the concept of charm, Stasinopoulou cites Camus’ phrase, adding her own definition. For her, charm is a quality that stems from education and inner radiance, making a person more attractive and compelling.
Maria Stasinopoulou’s literary world is a rich tapestry of human experiences, emotions, and observations. Her stories, infused with humor, irony, and thoughtfulness, offer a glimpse into the complexities of