Voice of Greece, ERT’s international radio, honors World Poetry Day with special tributes.
This year’s celebration highlights Kyriakos Charalambides, Maria Polydouri, Anna Akhmatova, Giorgos Markopoulos, Manos Eleftheriou, and Octavio Paz. The program also includes special broadcasts featuring poetry set to music and a tribute to the contemporary “poetic” voice of Greek rap and hip-hop.
Specifically:
Throughout the week: The distinguished, multi-awarded Cypriot poet Kyriakos Charalambides is at the center of this year’s tribute. From March 17-23, seven of his emblematic poems will be broadcast daily at 07:00 and 19:00 (Athens time), recited by the poet himself as part of the series “Poet of the Week”.
On Thursday, March 20, 2025, Antonis Karagiannakis and “Fair Winds and Following Seas” present a special episode dedicated to the sea, which has inspired both sailors and poets with its vast blue, storms, and calms. The program features captains Kostas Sokos and Antonis Mikelis, radio operator Charalambos Chatzinakis, and journalist Ioulia Tolia (08:00 Greek time, rebroadcast at 19:00).
On the same day, at 12:00, “Imprint” with Fuli Zavitsanou is dedicated to the most beautiful love poem in Latin American literature, “Sunstone”, by the Mexican poet and intellectual Octavio Paz.
On Friday, March 21 (World Poetry Day), Thomas Sideris, in his radio documentary series “Unguarded Passage”, presents a two-hour tribute (12:00-14:00 Athens time) to two of the most significant poets of the interwar period. The first part, “Life, how did you deliver me with a kiss to the executioners?”, focuses on Maria Polydouri, featuring her niece Nora Polydouri, who shares unknown details of her short life. The second part, “The Requiem of Moscow”, is dedicated to Anna Akhmatova, who gave voice to all women and mothers mourning their lost husbands and sons.
Later, at 14:00, the English-language program “Greek Music Express” with Hercules Economou will showcase a panorama of poetry set to music. Songs by leading Greek composers will feature lyrics from poets such as Anagnostakis, Elytis, Karyotakis, Cavafy, Kavadias, and Ritsos, among others.
At 01:00 (early Saturday), Voice of Greece will air a two-hour archival tribute to poet and lyricist Manos Eleftheriou. The program includes contributions from his sister Lili Eleftheriou, Giorgos Dalaras, and Themis Rodamitis, along with beloved songs featuring his lyrics.
On Saturday, March 22, 2025 at 10:00, Yolanda Tsiampokalou aka Sadahzinia (former member of Active Member), Giorgos Nikas (leader of Social Waste), and renowned journalist, writer, and poet Pantelis Boukalas discuss with Ariadi Sofia Kouri the fusion of music and lyrics, exploring how postmodern life reshapes art on the show “Ariadni’s Thread”.
At 12:00, “Our Town” with Themis Rodamitis will welcome Giorgos Markopoulos. The acclaimed poet will share personal stories about his favorite poets, including Seferis, Elytis, Livaditis, Anagnostakis, Patrikios, Dimoula, Ruk, Varveris, Kontos, Papageorgiou, and Fostieris.
