A crowd of people saeid goodbye today 11/12 at the Papagou cemetery to the writer and theatre critic Kostas Georgousopoulos who died on Saturday 7/12 at the age of 87 years.
Among others, George Kimoulis, George Babiniotis, Stamatis Fasoulis, Lydia Koniordou, Manolis Mitsias, Nikitas Tsakiroglou, grigoris Valtinos were present at his funeral.
George Babiniotis
Giorgos Kimoulis, Stamatis Fasoulis
Harry Romay
Kostas Georgousopoulos course
Kostas Georgousopoulos was born in Lamia in 1937. He studied at the School of Ideology at the University of athens (Department of History – Archaeology) and theater at the Drama School of the Athens Academy with teachers Dimitris Rodiris and Yiannis Sideris. He also worked in private education.
In 1978, after the assignment of the Ministry of Education and Religion, he accepted the editorship of the book Dramatic poetry, which was taught in Greek high schools for twenty-five years. Since 2003 he has been president of the Center for Studies and Research on the Hellenic Theater – Theater Museum.
He entered the field of theater criticism in 1971 from the columns of the newspaper “To Vima” and continued in the newspaper “Ta Nea” for several years as a critic and columnist.
As 1990 he has been teaching as a scientific associate in the Theater Studies Department of the University of Athens.
He was chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Theater and for twenty years chairman of the Theater Committee of the ministry of Culture. He was one of the founders of the Center for Research and Practical Applications of Ancient Greek Drama “Desmi” and chairman of the Board of Directors.
In the autumn of 2010, the National Gallery of Greece honored him by presenting a long-term exhibition of his entire visual theater work. The exhibition was presented in his hometown, Chania, and closed its run at Covent Garden in London on 26 October 2011.
Discrimination
For all his work, he was awarded the Gold Medal of the city of Athens (
in 2008 he was awarded the Grand State Prize for Literature for all his work. In addition, the University of Athens, following the initiative of the Department of Theater Studies, awarded him an honorary doctorate in 2006.
Also for his work “After the theatre” 1985, he received the first State essay prize and for “From Strindberg and Anton Chekhov to Luigi Pirandello and bertolt Brecht” and in 1999 he was awarded by the Academy of Athens.
The works
He has published critical essays, pamphlets and commentaries in the following volumes: Keys and Codes of Theatre, I, Ancient Drama, 1982, II, Hellenic Theatre, 1984, Porphyry’s Oblique Questions, 1984, After the Theatre, 1985, Person Worship, 1992 , Diversity Group, 1993, thread of the Level, 1996, World Theater 1, 2 – From Menander to Ibsen, 1998, From Strindberg and Chekhov to Pirandello and Brecht, 1999, World Theater 3 – from Miller to Müller, 2000.
Under the pseudonym KX Myris published the poetry collection Amichanon Technima, 1971, 1980 (together with Paravasi), the short stories The Bell and Odax, 1985 and song cycles (Chronicle, The great vigil, Citizenship, Independent songs, 1980) invited to music. with well-known composers (Yiannis Markopoulos, Eleni Karaindrou etc). Also with the same vibe he signs his work of translation, which has the ancient drama as its axis.
The translations
He has translated the following works:
- Aeschylus: iketides, Oresteia, Prometheus Bound, Seven Theves
- Sophocles: Electra, Antigone, Trachinias, Oedipus Tyrannus, Oedipus at Colonus, Aias
- Euripides: Iphigenia in Aulis, Bacchus, Iphigenia in Taurus, Hecabe (tragedy), Cyclops (Satire Drama), Helen (tragedy), Andromache, Troyes (tragedy)
- aristophanes: Lysistrata, Pluto, Temophori, Ecclesiastes, Nephis, horsemen
- Moliere: Tartufos
(with facts from the website anoixtitexni.gr)
What were the key themes in Kostas Georgousopoulos’s theater criticism?
Time.news Interview: Remembering kostas Georgousopoulos
Editor: Good day, everyone. I’m joined today by Dr. Maria Asteriou, a renowned professor of theatre studies and a key figure in greek cultural criticism. We’re here to reflect on the legacy of the beloved writer and theatre critic Kostas Georgousopoulos, who sadly passed away at the age of 87. Dr. Asteriou, thank you for being here.
Dr. Asteriou: Thank you for having me. It’s a bittersweet occasion, but an vital one nonetheless.
Editor: Many were gathered at Papagou Cemetery to pay their respects. Prominent figures like George Kimoulis and Lydia Koniordou attended the funeral. what does this outpouring of support say about Georgousopoulos’s impact on the arts in Greece?
Dr. Asteriou: It emphasizes the profound respect and admiration the cultural community has for him. He wasn’t just a critic; he was a mentor, a fierce advocate for the theatre, and someone who lent his voice to many artists who might not have had a platform otherwise. His presence at an event like this highlights how interconnected our artistic community is, and how much he meant to them.
Editor: Indeed, his influence has been far-reaching. Can you tell us about his contributions to theatre criticism and literature?
Dr. Asteriou: Certainly. Kostas Georgousopoulos was instrumental in shaping modern Greek theatre criticism. His reviews were incisive and insightful, often blending literary analysis with a deep understanding of performance. He didn’t shy away from challenging artists or calling attention to societal issues through his work.his writings encouraged both audiences and practitioners to engage more critically with the art form.
Editor: That kind of critical engagement is so essential, especially in today’s cultural climate. What would you say was his most meaningful contribution to the arts?
Dr. asteriou: I believe it was his ability to connect the dots between literature, drama, and the broader societal context. He frequently enough framed theatre as a reflection of our collective consciousness. By doing so, he invited audiences to not just consume art but to contemplate its implications. His legacy is one of advocacy for thoughtful engagement with culture.
Editor: Around him were many notable names from the artistic world, such as Manolis Mitsias and Nikitas Tsakiroglou. In your view,how do these figures exemplify the community he fostered?
Dr. Asteriou: Each of these individuals has, in their own way, been shaped by the environment kostas cultivated. They all speak to the importance of collaboration and passion in the arts. by supporting emerging talents and celebrating established artists, Georgousopoulos created a nurturing space for creativity. His legacy lives on in the relationships he built and the artists he inspired.
Editor: As we remember Kostas Georgousopoulos today, what message do you think he would have for the next generation of artists and critics?
Dr. Asteriou: I believe he would encourage them to remain fearless. To dive deeply into their craft, to speak truthfully, and to never underestimate the power of their voice. He would likely remind them that criticism, like art, should encourage dialog and provoke thought—both on and off the stage.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Asteriou. Your insights remind us of the lasting impact Kostas Georgousopoulos had on Greece’s cultural landscape.
Dr. Asteriou: Thank you for having me. Let’s continue to cherish and share his legacy.
Editor: And to our audience,let’s honor the memory of Kostas Georgousopoulos not just through remembrance,but by engaging meaningfully with the arts he loved so dearly. Thank you for tuning in.