Popular British author Victoria Hislop is calling on the Greek government to open bookshops during the second Covid-19 lockdown.
"I would like to share with you my grief for the closed bookshops, these little cradles of culture, which open windows to the world through the pages of the books we find on their shelves," she said in Greek.
Victoria Hislop is the renowned author of bestsellers including “The Island”, “Those Who Are Loved”, “The Return” and “Cartes Postales from Greece.
"Books are for our minds and souls what food is for our bodies. Just as there is care for organic food, there should be care for spiritual food. The days of confinement we go through due to the pandemic are extremely difficult for the mental health of all of us," she continued.
"Bookstores offer essential items for our minds and souls."
Bestselling British author Victoria Hislop sworn-in as Greek citizen
A few months ago, Victoria Hislop was named an honorary Greek by decree “for her important services toward Greece, for the international exposure she gave to the historic site of Spinalonga and her promotion of modern Greek culture and history.”
“I visited Greece for the first time when I was 17, and it was love at first sight. I had only left the UK once before, so the bright Aegean light and the heat from the sun seemed magical.From that year onwards, I visited every year, and now, under normal circumstances, I spend a few months a year there researching, writing and travelling. And, of course, swimming, eating and spending time with friends, too,” she told DailyMail earlier this year.
Bookshop in Athens reveals most popular books to read during lockdown 2.0
One of the most famous and popular meeting places for book lovers in Athens (and Thessaloniki), is Ianos.
According to the bookshop, the top 5 sellers are:
- Will you love me when I do not remember you?– by Journalist Rena Kouveliotis
- The Stranger– by Albert Camus
- Life until yesterday– by Yiannis Xanthoulis
- Roots and foundations– by Maria Efthymiou
- Think like a monk– by Jay Shetty
