Monemvasia Celebrates Poet Yiannis Ritsos with Dedicated Museum

In a heartfelt ceremony attended by Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni, the Metropolitan Bishop of Monemvasia and Sparta Eustathios, and a large crowd, the Yiannis Ritsos Municipal Museum was officially inaugurated in the historic castle town of Monemvasia.

The museum, housed in the restored family home of the renowned Greek poet Yiannis Ritsos, was acquired by the Municipality of Monemvasia from the poet’s family. The project, funded by the Ministry of Culture with a budget of €276,000, was realised through a Cultural Development Program Agreement involving the Municipality of Monemvasia, the Peloponnese Region, and the Parnonas S.A. Development Agency. The transformation included research, documentation, and museological studies, as well as the design of exhibition spaces with modern displays, digital applications, and interactive experiences. These elements vividly showcase Ritsos’ multifaceted work, personality, and deep connection to his birthplace.

In her address, Minister Mendoni emphasised the significance of the occasion: “Today is a special day, especially for the people of Monemvasia. It’s a moment of pride for those of us who grew up with Yiannis Ritsos’ poetry, especially during the post-dictatorship era when his work was part of our school curricula. I am truly delighted that the Ministry of Culture supported the transformation of the Ritsos family home into a museum, now open to the residents of Monemvasia and its thousands of visitors.” She credited the collaborative efforts of the Municipality, the Ministry, and Eri Ritsos, who donated personal items of the poet to enrich the museum’s collection.

Mendoni highlighted the Ministry’s commitment to creating small-scale museums dedicated to Greece’s cultural icons, noting similar projects like the Elytis House and upcoming museums for Karolos Koun and Kostis Palamas. “These museums serve as hubs not only for culture and development but also for education and learning,” she said, emphasizing their role in preserving Greece’s modern cultural identity.

Reflecting on Ritsos’ bond with Monemvasia, Mendoni referenced the poet’s recurring themes of the sea and the steadfast rock of his hometown. She also underscored the Ministry’s efforts to make Monemvasia’s historic sites, including the restored Church of Hagia Sophia, accessible to all, including those with mobility challenges.

The Ritsos family home, a post-Byzantine architectural gem located near the main gate of Monemvasia’s Lower Town, retains features reflecting the area’s rich architectural and social history. Situated along the central cobblestone street named after Ritsos, the house stands beside the town’s western walls, with a bust of the poet prominently displayed outside.

Born on May 1, 1909, in Monemvasia, Yiannis Ritsos is one of Greece’s most celebrated poets, known internationally for his profound and evocative work. His family home, now a museum, serves as a testament to his enduring legacy and his lifelong connection to the iconic rock of Monemvasia.

Ritsos, a renowned poet throughout Greece, was a member of the Greek resistance during World War II. He was later imprisoned in 1948 for four years, for his left political views and supporting the left during the Civil War. His poems, which were influenced by his political views, were also banned at one time. His most famous work, the poem ‘Epitaphios’, was put to music by the famous Greek composer, Mikis Theodorakis, in 1960. (Mikis, who held similar beliefs to Ritsos, had also been imprisoned for five months in 1967 and then exiled with his family. His music was also banned for a while.

Notable figures, including Deputy Defense Minister and Lakonia MP Thanasis Davakis, Lakonia MPs Neoklis Kritikos and Naya Grigorakou, Peloponnese Deputy Governor Theodoros Veroutis, Monemvasia Mayor Iraklis Trichilis, Sparta Mayor Michail Vakalopoulos, Kalamata Mayor and Peloponnese Municipalities Union President Thanasis Vassilopoulos, Lakonia Ephorate of Antiquities Head Evangelia Pantou, Parnonas S.A. CEO Marinis Beretsos, Ministry officials, and many residents attended the inauguration.

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