Dimitris P. Kraniotis (Greece): "Doctor" in Literature, "Doctor" in Life Interview by Stefano Chiesa

 

Dimitris P. Kraniotis

Stefano Chiesa

Dimitris P. Kraniotis (Greece): "Doctor" in Literature, "Doctor" in Life

Interview by Stefano Chiesa 

-1) As regards early Education, are you aware of the huge Ancient Greek contribution to our present society?

Yes, absolutely! Ancient Greek civilization had a profound impact on early education, and many of their ideas and contributions still resonate in today's educational systems.

The Greeks were pioneers in the development of philosophy, logic, mathematics, and rhetoric, all of which influenced the foundation of modern education. Greek philosophers, especially Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, made significant contributions to educational theory. Aristotle advanced the study of rhetoric. This study of language and public speaking became a cornerstone of Western education, particularly in fields like law, politics, and communication. The Greeks also made substantial contributions to mathematics and science that influenced education systems.

 Education was seen as a means to cultivate both the body and mind for the benefit of the individual and the community. Ancient Greek philosophy remains a central part of educational curricula today, and many of their ideas about ethics, logic, and politics continue to guide contemporary education.

-2) As an affirmed Doctor, is it possible to find a link between Poetry and Medicine?

 

Yes, there is a fascinating and rich connection between poetry and medicine. Both poetry and medicine are deeply concerned with the human condition. Poetry often explores the emotional, psychological, and existential experiences of life, while medicine is fundamentally concerned with human health, and healing.

Τhere is also a therapeutic quality to both poetry and medicine. In medicine, the healing process often extends beyond physical treatment to emotional and psychological care. Similarly, poetry has long been recognized for its healing properties, offering catharsis and a sense of connection.

    Both doctors and poets must possess a deep sense of empathy and understanding. In medicine, empathy allows doctors to connect with patients, understand their suffering, and provide care that takes into account not just the body but the individual’s emotional and psychological state. Similarly, poetry requires empathy to create authentic representations of human experience.

   In medicine, the body is seen through a scientific lens, but in poetry, it may be explored through metaphor, symbol, and emotion. In essence, poetry and medicine both seek to understand the human being, though in different ways—one through words and emotions, and the other through science and action.

  

-3) You wrote 11 books and received lots of translations, in a huge variety of foreign languages: which are the most relevant?

I consider all my books and all my translations equally relevant. Personally, I can't single out any.

I am the author of 11 poetry books in 7 languages in Greece and abroad: “Traces” (in Greek, 1985), “Clay Faces” (in Greek, 1992), “Fictitious Line” (in Greek, English and French, 2005), “Dunes” (in French and Romanian, 2007), “Endogram” (in Greek, 2010), “Edda” (in French and Romanian, 2010), “Illusions” (in Albanian, 2010), “Leaves Vowels” (in Italian, 2017), “Tie of Public Decency” (in Greek, 2018), “Minus one” (in Spanish, 2022) and “Wrinkles in the coffee” (in Greek, 2024). Also I am the Editor-in-chief of the international anthology “World Poetry 2011” (in English, 2011) with 205 poets from 65 countries.

My poetry has been translated into 36 languages (English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Italian, German, Polish, Dutch, Serbian, Albanian, Romanian, Arabic, Chinese-Mandarin, Bulgarian, Turkish, Czech, Japanese, Bengali, Persian-Farsi, Vietnamese, Gujarati, Kurdish, Kazakh, Slovak, Hindi, Danish, Tamil, Swahili, Hebrew, Uzbek, Hungarian, Estonian, Korean, Ukrainian and Slavic Macedonian)and published in anthologies, books & magazines in many countries around the World.

I consider that number of languages ​​suggests that my poetry resonates with readers across different cultures.

 

-4)  What is your international role, in "CIESART"?

 

I am President of  CIESART Greece and Vice President of the World Advisory Council of the International Chamber of Writers & Artists CIESART based in Spain.

 

 

-5)  What about your activities in Italy? 

In 2008,I became an Academicianat the International Academy Micenei in Reggio Calabria. In 2009, I became an Academician at the Academy Tiberina in Rome. In 2019, I became Academician at the Academy of Sicily in Palermo. In 2024, I became an Academician at the Academy of WikiPoesia (the poetic encyclopedia). In 2024, I became an Academician at the International Academy Leopold Sedar Senghor in Milan.

In 2017 my book “Foglie vocali”[“Leaves vowels”]was publishedinFerraraby Pluriversum Edizioni, with selected poems translated into Italian. In 2023 this book was awarded the International Academic Award for Contemporary Literature“Lucius Annaeus Seneca” by the Academy of Arts and Philosophical Sciences in Bari.  

 

-6) Do you feel close to Italian Culture?

 

I indeed feel a sense of closeness to Italian culture, considering the deep historical, cultural, and geographical ties between Greece and Italy. I can highlight several reasons why Greek culture and Italian culture have commonalities that would naturally make me feel an affinity with Italy, finding inspiration in its language, literature and philosophy.

The cultures of the two countries share many things in common: the shared Mediterranean heritage, the classical literature and philosophy, the aesthetic and artistic connections in sculpture, painting, and theater, the Italian literary tradition, the language connections and the cultural exchanges.

Finally, the Mediterranean lifestyle with its emphasis on community, family, and enjoying the pleasures of life, such as good food, wine and music- gives an extra sense of kinship between Greek and Italian cultures.

 

- 7) What is your Commitment to Peace, as Ambassador?

My commitment to peace as an ambassador is rooted in the idea that words and art have the power to transform hearts and minds. 

    Through their creative expression, poets can help build bridges between cultures, advocate for justice and equality, and challenge the violence. Poets can foster a world in which peace is not just an ideal but a living, breathing reality, shaped by compassion, understanding, and mutual respect.

  As an ambassador for peace I use poetry as a tool for fostering understanding, empathy, and dialogue between people, cultures, and nations. Just as traditional ambassadors work to promote diplomacy and resolve conflicts, a poet as an ambassador for peace can do so through the power of words, art, and creative expression.

  As an ambassador for peace, I can use my poetry work to start important    conversations about conflict, justice, and reconciliation. I participate in public readings, discussions, and cultural exchanges that encourage peaceful discourse. Through cultural exchanges, poetry festivals, or international collaborations, I promote peaceful coexistence between different societies, encouraging mutual respect and understanding.   

 

- 8) Finally: A Poem about Peace

 

This is my poem with the title: “Ode to the peace hero”

 

You were born once

For a thousand revolutions

You died once

With a thousand resurrections

 

You enlightened eternal ideals

Into chests full of dreams

You blew poets’ words

Into harmonious winds

 

You got hurt by faceless wounds

And slapped injustices

You fought for freedom

And won for peace

 

Biography of Dimitris P. Kraniotis [Greece]

 

Dimitris P. Kraniotis was born in 1966 in Larissa Prefecture in central Greece and he grew up in Stomio (Larissa). He studied Medicine at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and obtained a Master of Science (MSc) in Medicine at the University of Thessaly (Greece). He lives in Larissa (Greece) and works as a medical doctor (internal medicine specialist). He is the author of 11 poetry books in Greece and abroad.  Ηe is also the Editor-in-chief of an international anthology in English (205 poets from 65 countries). He has won international awards for his poetry which has been translated in 36 languages & published in anthologies, books & magazines in many countries. He has been invited and participated as guest poet in International Poetry Festivals around the World. He was awarded as “Laureate Man of Letters” by the United Poets Laureate International (USA). He is Doctor of Literature (Litt.D.),Academician in Italy, President Emeritus of the World Congress of Poets (UPLI), President of the 22nd World Congress of Poets (Greece 2011), President of the World Poets Society (WPS), Director of the Mediterranean Poetry Festival (Larissa, Greece), Chairman of the Writers for Peace Committee of PEN Greece, Ambassador of the Movement “Poetas del Mundo” in Greece, President of  the International Chamber of Writers & Artists CIESART in Greece, President of the Scientific Committee of the International Poetry Festival of Naoussa (Greece), Universal Peace Ambassador by the Universal Ambassador Peace Circle and member of the World Poetry Movement (WPM) and Poets of the Planet (POP). He was also Professor of the Department of Nursing of the University of Thessaly (former TEI of Larissa, Greece). His official website: https://www.dimitriskraniotis.com/

 

Prepared by Angela Kosta Executive Director of the Magazines: MIRIADE, NUANCES ON THE PANORAMIC CANVAS, BRIDGES OF LITERATURE, journalist, poet, essayist, publisher, literary critic, editor, translator, promoter