THRACE

The region of Thrace was united with Greece in 1920 in the aftermath of World War I. Georgios Vizyinos (1849-1896), from Vizyi in Eastern Thrace, was one of the most important writers of the newly established Greek State in the 19th century. He studied philology and philosophy in Germany, but failed in his pursuit of an academic career in Greece. His works, both poetry and prose, were largely misunderstood during his short lifespan. He is mostly known for his novels, written in artful katharevousa (scholarly Greek) punctuated with vivid dialogues in demotic Greek. His use of elements such as sharp characterisation, dramatic plot and unexpected twists, totally missing till then from romantic Greek prose, make Vizyinos a true innovator of modern Greek literature.