NILAVRONILL TALKING WITH
POET OF THE MONTH
EVITA CONSTANTINOU
NILAVRONILL: Welcome to Our Poetry Archive, dear poet.
And congratulations as the poet of this month. I would like to know your
personal views on literature or poetry in general.
EVITA CONSTANTINOU: Thank you very much for appointing me Poet of the Month. It is
a pleasure and an honour to converse with you and share thoughts and feelings
in this special interview. I believe that poetry and literature hold a special
place in human culture and in the expression of emotions and thoughts that can
be difficult to convey in other ways. Through words, writers and poets share
their experiences and evoke emotional responses in readers. Additionally, we
can understand the human psyche because literature and poetry explore human
nature and our inner conflicts. Through stories and verses, we can better
comprehend the desires, fears, and motivations that guide our behaviour could
easily say that poetry and literature offer cultural and historical value
because various literary works record and preserve the cultural and historical
traditions of a society. They serve as a mean of maintaining the heritage and
identity of people and provide valuable insights into the past. Through poetry
and literature, significant education and enrichment occur because our
linguistic abilities are enhanced, and our intellectual horizons are broadened.
Through reading, we learn new ideas, strengthen our critical thinking, and gain
a better understanding of the world. Furthermore, creative expression and
imagination can be cultivated because the creation of literary works and poems
is a way to nurture our imagination and explore new ideas. Writing allows us to
create new worlds and characters, providing an outlet for our creativity. Overall,
I consider poetry and literature to be integral elements of the human
experience that enrich our lives and connect us with others.
NILAVRONILL: What are the factors that have influenced
you immensely in the growing phase of your literary life. When, most probably
you were not certain of your future as a poet or writer. Do you think society
as a whole is the key factor in shaping up you as a poet, or your poetry
altogether?
EVITA CONSTANTINOU: During the development phase of my literary
life, the factors that influenced me greatly included my personal not always
happy experiences, my teachers and mentors, my engagement with literature and
the arts, a serious car accident that changed my whole life and of course, the
social and cultural conditions of the time. Society as a whole played a
decisive role in shaping my perception of the world and poetry. Social
concerns, political upheavals, cultural trends, and historical moments influenced
not only the content of my works but also my very need to write. However, it
wasn't just society that shaped me. My personal experiences and inner quests
were equally significant. Especially after the accident, I completely changed
my worldview and the way I approach people, life, and the opportunities that
come our way. Overall, I would say that society and my personal experiences
worked together to shape me as a poet. My poetry reflects both external social
influences and my internal processes.
NILAVRONILL: Do you consider your literary life as an
extension of your self-existence? If so, how it is related with the time around
you?
EVITA CONSTANTINOU: Yes, I consider my literary life
as an extension of my self-existence. My writing reflects my inner thoughts,
emotions, and experiences. When I write, I express the essence of my being and
discover more about myself. This process is intrinsically linked to the time
around me, as social, cultural, and historical contexts shape my views and
experiences. Through my literature, I attempt to capture and analyse the
reality around me while also exploring my inner world.
NILAVRONILL: As a poet, do socio-economy and politics
in general influence your literary visions? If so how, and if not, why?
EVITA CONSTANTINOU: Yes, as a poet, socio-economy and politics generally influenced
my literary visions. Poetry is a form of Art that reflects reality and its era.
Socio-economic conditions and political developments shape the environment we
live in and therefore affect our experiences, thoughts, and emotions. These
influences are inevitable and find their way into my poems, whether directly or
indirectly. Poetry can serve as a mean of protest, a call for change, or simply
a record of reality, offering an internal perspective on the consequences of
socio-economic and political events.
NilavroNill: Is it possible to put into the words
everything that as a poet you wish to express literarily? If not, why?
EVITA CONSTANTINOU: No, it is not always possible to put into words everything I
wish to express literarily. Language, though a very powerful tool, has its
limits. There are emotions, thoughts, and experiences that are so profound or
multidimensional that they cannot be fully captured with words. Poetry attempts
to grasp the essence of these feelings and experiences, but sometimes what we
feel transcends the expressive power of language. Additionally, the individual
perception and personal interpretation of each reader add another dimension,
which can affect the complete expression of my thoughts.
NilavroNill: Do you agree with John Keats
(1795-1821) on his ardent believe, “Truth is beauty, beauty is truth”? Even if
we take for instance the war of Kurukshetra, the conflicts between Kauravas and
Pandavas, or the fall out of second world war in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, how
can we manage to reconcile between those truths with beauty as promulgated by
Keats?
EVITA CONSTANTINOU:
John Keats' phrase,
"Truth is beauty, beauty is truth," is deeply poetic and
philosophical. I partly agree with this view on a deeper, idealistic level.
Truth and beauty are intertwined in the quest for meaning and aesthetics, and
recognizing the truth can bring a form of beauty, even if it is harsh or
unpleasant. However, when we consider historical events like the war of
Kurukshetra, the conflicts between the Kauravas and the Pandavas, or the
aftermath of World War II in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the application of Keats'
phrase becomes more complex. These events are filled with pain, destruction,
and injustice, events that seem to lack any beauty. Reconciling these truths
with beauty, as Keats perceives it, can be achieved by understanding human
nature and seeking the deeper meaning of things. We can find beauty in the
resilience of people, in the ability to learn from our mistakes, and in creating
better futures. The history of humanity, despite its dark chapters, has moments
of triumph and growth that reveal the truth and beauty of the human spirit.
NilavroNill: Too many writers believe imagery
is an essential part of poetry. Do you agree this notion? Even if we consider Leonardo
da Vinci’s words that poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen.
EVITA CONSTANTINOU: I agree with the notion that imagery is an essential part of
poetry. Imagery helps convey emotions, ideas, and experiences in a way that can
touch the reader on a deeper level. Vivid descriptions and sensory images can
transport the reader to another world and make poetry more powerful and
memorable. Leonardo da Vinci’s view that poetry is painting that is felt rather
than seen supports this idea. Poetry uses words to create images in the
reader’s mind, evoking emotions and thoughts that are strong and personal.
Through the use of imagery, poets can convey messages and meanings that could
not be fully expressed with simple words alone.
NilavroNill:
Do you believe, passionately
falling in love with a particular language is essential to excel in poetical
ventures? And is it possible to write poems in multiple languages preserving
same literary quality? We would like to know your own experiences.
EVITA CONSTANTINOU: I believe that passionately falling in love with a particular
language can be a very important factor in excelling in poetry. When you feel
deeply connected to a language, you understand its subtle nuances, the words
and phrases that can express the deepest emotions and ideas. This can add
richness and depth to your poetry. However, it is also possible to write poems
in multiple languages while preserving almost the same literary quality,
although it requires a lot of effort and practice. Each language has its own
peculiarities and cultural references, and knowing these can enrich poetic
expression. Personally, I have tried writing in English except from Greek. I am
trying every time my best and I believe while each language requires a
different approach, the love for poetry and language can bridge these
differences.
NilavroNill: Do you consider poetry as an
emotional outbursts of poet’s personal sentiments? Or is it a long journey to
realize and express the universal sentiments beyond all personal limitations?
Again, we want to understand your views through your personal experiences of
your literary life as a poet.
EVITA CONSTANTINOU: For me, poetry is both an emotional outburst and a long
journey to recognize and express universal sentiments that transcend my
personal limitations. Throughout my literary life as a poet, I have experienced
the quest for truth and beauty through poetry, trying to connect the personal
with the universal human pain and the search for real meaning.
NilavroNill: I would like to quote T. S.
Eliot, “No poet, no artist of any art, has his complete meaning alone. His
significance, his appreciation is the appreciation of his relation to the dead
poets and artists. You cannot value him
alone; you must set him for contrast and comparison among the dead.” We would
like to know your views in details on Eliot’s comments.
EVITA CONSTANTINOU: According to T. S. Eliot, no poet or artist of any art has his
complete meaning alone. His significance and appreciation depend on his
relation to the dead poets and artists, set for contrast and comparison among
them. This perspective highlights the continuity and influence of poetic
tradition and cultural heritage in the development of each new poetic endeavor.
NilavroNill: Would you consider, it should be
the goal of a poet to enlightens the readers towards much greater apprehensions
as well as appreciations of life and eternity in general? Or is it better to
write poems only to console the poet’s soul?
EVITA CONSTANTINOU: In my view, it should be the initial goal of a poet to
enlighten readers towards greater apprehensions and appreciations of life and
eternity. Poetry can serve as a mean for discovering deeper truths, criticizing
social problems and offering readers a progressive spiritual experience. At the
same time, poetry can also console the poet's soul, but its artistic value is
even greater when it manages to combine personal sense of pain and beauty with
guiding and engaging the reader.
NILAVRONILL: We are almost at the end of the interview.
I remain obliged to you for your participation. Now, personally I would like to
know your honest opinion about Our Poetry Archive. Since April 2015 we are
publishing and archiving contemporary world poetry each and every month. Thank
you for sharing your views and spending much time with us.
EVITA CONSTANTINOU: My honest opinion about Our
Poetry Archive is that it is a valuable initiative for promoting and archiving
contemporary poetry from around the world. The continuous publication of poems
every month since April 2015 demonstrates dedication to poetic creation and the
diversity of the global poetic scene. It serves as a precious resource for
those who love poetry and seek new voices and perspectives in the realm of
poetry. Τo
be completely honest, to maintain the OPA Poetry Archive's pivotal role, you
personally play a significant role both as a poet first and foremost, and then
as a publisher who works with your soul for this endeavour because you love it
like your own child, I would say. Despite the enormous effort without
facilitation or funding, you continue tirelessly for so many years, providing
not only a voice for poets worldwide but also the opportunity for us to connect
and exchange our poetic concerns. Our discussion has been very pleasant and
constructive for me. Thank you again for the honour of appointing me as the
Poet of the Month. I am deeply honoured, and I consider it an opportunity to
bring attention to my small homeland, Cyprus, internationally.
EVITA CONSTANTINOU is a teacher hailing
from Limassol, Cyprus. She has been involved in poetry and writing from a young
age and has a particular love for the local Cypriot dialect. In 2021, she
published her first poetry collection titled ‘Kite Ascension’, as well as a music
album ‘Like a Kite’ featuring songs set to music from the collection. She also
engages in lyric writing, having written 16 songs to date in collaboration with
Greek and Cypriot composers. Evita actively participates in various social,
charitable, and cultural activities throughout Cyprus. She is a registered
member of the Cyprus Writers' Association (ELK), the Cyprus Association of
Children's and Youth Books (CYBBI), the Limassol Literary Society – Vasilis
Michaelides, where she serves on the Board as the Public Relations Secretary,
the Association of Literature and Criticism (OLK), the Hellenic Cultural
Association of Cypriots (EPOK), and the Association of Musical and Poetic Arts
Mousagetes Apollon. Since 2021, she has been part of the writing team of
Chronos Publications, with which she published her ecological fairy tale ‘I Am
Not Trash’. Her two individual literary works have been approved by the
Ministry of Education of Cyprus, included in school library materials, and
participate in international literary exhibitions. She has received
distinctions in literary competitions on a local, national, and international
level. She participates in 15 collective literary publications.
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