The show featured a discussion between Natasa Vissarionos and Giannis Vassilakakos, an Australian academic and writer with 26 published books. The topic was Vassilakakos’ latest book, “7 Years of Resistance Prose, 1967-1974,” published by Odysseas Publications to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Regime Change. This study is of great importance, as it examines literary texts published during the period of the dictatorship (1967-1974). The present study of the “seven years prose” has demonstrated that, from a qualitative perspective, its output is on par with that of other historical periods, which were more prolific and socio-politically stable. Conversely, it is imperative that the publication demonstrate a commitment to featuring writers of exceptional caliber and works of remarkable quality that have left an indelible mark on the landscape of post-war prose.
Giannis Vassilakakos was born in the village of Agios Georgios of Skala, Laconia. He holds a Master of Arts and a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Melbourne, a Bachelor of Arts from the University of New England, and a Diploma in Interpretation and Translation from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. He is an academic, currently serving as the head of the Greek program in the Interpretation-Translation Department of RMIT University of Melbourne. He has also held the role of coordinator for both the International Association of Literary Critics (Oceania) and the Cultural Network of the Council of Overseas Hellenism, from 1999 to 2006.
He has published a substantial body of work, including novels, short stories, plays, and essays/criticisms. His oeuvre has been translated into a number of foreign languages, including English, Italian, and Chinese. Several of his works have achieved bestseller status and are included in the curricula of secondary and post-secondary institutions in Greece, Australia, and other English-speaking countries.
He has been the recipient of seven grants from the Australian Federal Government Arts Council, two grants from academic institutions, and numerous awards and international honours in the field of literature. He has been the subject of numerous tributes in the most esteemed Greek and international literary magazines, newspapers, radio programs, and television programs. He has been the subject of numerous tributes in the most esteemed Greek and international literary magazines, newspapers, radio programs, and television programs.