“Discussing with P. Kostopetrou”
We would like to thank the columnist and manager of the literary blog “Bibliomania – Bibliolatreia” Ms. Vasiliki Diamanti for the interview with P. Kostopetrou, poet – economist and head of “Megas Seirios” Publications, regarding her poetry collection “Ich werde hier sein”.
You can read the interview in Greek and see the visualization of the poem “In the arms of the stars” which our group prepared, at the following link: https://vivliomania-vivliolatreia.blogspot.com
The poetry collection “Ich werde hier sein” is available in Greek und English on our online store.
What prompted you to start writing?
PK: I wanted to express through myself the one Self and to bring to light both the dark realms we hold within us as well as the other sublime ones, with the art of speech, of rhythm, as I perceive it each time. Clearly all this is evolving of course, I’m only at the beginning…
Who is your favorite author or poet?
PK: There are many! But of all of them, I would single out Dimitris Kakalidis, poet and analyst, for the breadth and depth of the concepts he deals with, always reductive and redemptive for man and humanity.
What is the first book you ever read?
PK: What I remember as the first book I read was the novel by Menelaus Ludemis “A child counts the stars”. I had identified myself with the hero for quite some time!
What prompted you to start writing?
PK: I wanted to express through myself the one Self and to bring to light both the dark realms we hold within us as well as the other sublime ones, with the art of speech, of rhythm, as I perceive it each time. Clearly all this is evolving of course, I’m only at the beginning…
How would you characterize your poetry collection “I Will Be Here”?
PK: A first impression of my poetic mode of expression.
What does poetry mean to you?
PK: All Arts are poetry; the greatest of all is called Poetry!
“In the Arms of the Stars” is my favorite poem of yours. If you had to pick one as your favorite which one would it be and why?
PK: It’s the one you chose yourself. Because it’s a glimpse, a realization of who we really are. We made a short video with this poem. I’ll attach it for you. It’s interesting.
In your poem “The Ancient Jewel” we see what it means for a people not to forget their culture, their very existence. What other indispensable characteristic should a people have?
PK: Yes, a people must not forget its history, its culture, the path that brought it to where it is now. We have so much to learn from history, especially not to repeat ourselves “in vain”.
Deshalb, the other essential element for any people is to remain a neutral observer of its falls and mistakes, so that it can correct its deviations in the continuous upward course of evolution.
Your poetry collection has an old-fashioned flavour. Which poets inspired you to take up poetry or was it something that came regardless of influences or readings?
PK: Konstantinos Kavafis, Odisseas Elytis, Khalil Gibran, Kipling from the older ones, Tasos Anagnostou, Dimitris Karvounis, Staat Koutsochera, Kostas Karousos, Dimitris Karamvalis from the younger ones and so many others…
What would you like to say to your readers?
PK: To read poetry, poetry is for everyone. Poetry exercises the mind, it develops the intellect.
Would you like to tell us a few words about your next writing venture?
I am working on a new collection of poetry, with joy as the central idea, at the encouragement of my husband.
Thank you very much for the interview you granted me! I wish your book every success!!!
PK: I thank you very much for the presentation of my book, your support and your wishes!
Watch the video of a poem from the current collection “In the arms of the stars”:
"Ich werde hier sein", die Dichterin sagt zu ihr Leser und begleitet sie ihn zu einem begehrten poetische Reise voller lyrischer Plätschern und unerschütterliche Wahrheiten.
Jedes Gedicht ist eine Erfahrung, von der greifbaren Realität gemacht, geliefert in sinnvolle und klare Worte; jeweils in eine sanfte Welle der Liebe, umarmt transformiert und ermutigt den Leser, leading him in a liberating way to where “the horizon whitens", to the “dreamy light of the sun” or even yet to the “arms of the stars", and whispers to him with wisdom that “…life is holy bread, for those who know."
"In den Armen der Sterne
Ich lehnte mich leise
and that milky light
sweetly penetrated my being.”
