Chongqing event highlights Kazantzakis' legacy in the country

The legacy of renowned Greek writer and philosopher Nikos Kazantzakis (1883-1957) made a symbolic "third visit" to China recently, through a dedicated conference and film screening held in Chongqing, Southwest China, marking the opening of the China-Greece Art Exchange Month.

The cultural dialogue was hosted at the Center for Chinese and Greek Civilizations, also known as the Chinese KELKIP, at Southwest University. The event, titled Conference and Film Screening on Nikos Kazantzakis: Global Impact and Relationship with China, featured thematic presentations and a screening of the film Kazantzakis, which was directed by Yannis Smaragdis.

Co-hosted by the center and the embassy of the Hellenic Republic, the program drew students and faculty from the university, along with representatives from the International Society of Friends of Nikos Kazantzakis (ISFNK). Participants explored the Cretan writer's significant literary achievements and his profound connection with China.

Kazantzakis' passionate and thought-provoking works have made a lasting impact on literature, establishing him as one of the most influential thinkers of the 20th century. He is best known for his novels Zorba the Greek and The Last Temptation of Christ, which delve into themes like freedom and the human spirit.

Kazantzakis visited China twice, his travels and writings — particularly in Travel in China — reflecting his philosophical engagement with the country.

"Culture is a very important chapter in our relationship," said Evgenios Kalpyris, Ambassador of Greece to China, at the event. "We really believe in these people-to-people exchanges, with culture serving as the primary platform for that."

He underscored the foundational roles of Chinese and Greek civilizations in the East and the West respectively. He highlighted the ongoing collaborations between the two nations, noting numerous events organized to strengthen these cultural ties.

On Dec 12, Athens hosted the 9th Ministerial Meeting of the Forum of Ancient Civilizations, a joint initiative by Greece and China. Next year will see Greece host the 2nd World Conference on Classics. The inaugural edition took place in Beijing in 2024 with both the Chinese and the Greek presidents sending letters to the conference.

Moreover, a series of other cultural events are being planned for 2026 with the aim of deepening the connection between these two ancient cultures.

"Through the medium of film, we hope to present a vivid and multidimensional portrait of Kazantzakis' intellectual world, and to help everyone gain a deeper understanding of the parallels between Chinese and Greek civilizations — our shared pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty; our concern for the human condition; and our aspirations for peace and development," said Wang Yong, secretary-general of the Center for Chinese and Greek Civilizations, in his speech at the event.

He added that a delegation of Greek artists will visit Chongqing during the exchange month. They will engage with local artists across various disciplines such as music, film, theater and visual arts.

"Watching the dialogue and imagery in the memoir film, I could feel Kazantzakis' deep connection with China," said Ji Xuan, a postgraduate student at the center.

Intrigued by Greek culture, the 24-year-old plans to continue his studies in Chinese and Greek history and philosophy, including an exchange program at the University of Patras next year.

Greece established the Greek KELKIP in Athens in 2020, while Southwest University, with its strong background in humanities and philosophy, especially in Chinese and Greek civilizations, collaborated with other Chinese universities to set up the Chinese KELKIP and engage in comprehensive cooperation with Greece.