Elias Venezis, Biography

Elias Venezis

Elias Venezis was born in Aivali (Kydonies) of Asia Minor in 1904.  His real name was Elias Mellos. Venezis was the literary name.  His father was Michael D. Mellos and his mother Vassiliki Giannakou Bimpela.

During the A’ World War his father and one of his sisters forced to stay in Asia Minor although the rest of the family escaped in Mytilini island, where lithe Elias attended the High School. In 1919 when the Greek troops moved in Asia Minor the family returned at  Aivali, except of his sister Artemis, who died from Spanish flu in Mytilini.

In 1922 Venezis, who had just graduated from high school in his hometown, was captured by the Turks and served in the battalions in Asia Minor for fourteen months. In his book, The «Number 31328», he describes the period of his captivity.He was released In 1923 and returned to the island of Mitilini to find his family. He worked initially in Plomari for the Ministry of Agriculture and later in the National Bank and the Bank of Greece in Mitilini and later in Athens, where he worked until 1957.

In 1938 he married with Stavritsa Molyviatis who also was originated from Aivali. They had a daughter, Anna.

During the German occupation he was arrested by the SS and stayed in prison.  He was released 23 days later due to Archbishop Damaskinos.  He died in 1973 after long and painful illness.

He also worked as secretary and executive director of the Board of the National Theatre (1950-1952) and administrative director and president of its artistic committee (1964-1967).  It was member of the Group of Twelve (1950), partner of the National Broadcasting Foundation (1954-1966), chairman of the film festival in Thessaloniki (1963-1966) and vice-president of the board of the Hellenic American Union (1966-1970).

Elias Venezis elected as a member of the Athens Academy to1957.

In 1921 he published for first time short stories in the magazine “O Logos” in Istanbul.  In 1927 he was awarded by the magazine “Nea Estia” for his work titled «The Death».  Later in 1931, he published the «The number 31328», as mentioned above. «Galini», «Aeoliki land», «Exodos» and «Ocean» are some of his famous novels.  He also wrote short stories, historical studies, the theatrical play «Blocks C», which played in 1945 by Pelos Katselis’ theater.  A number of his novels were translated into foreign languages.

In 1949, after invitation of the State Department he toured in the U.S, where he gave lectures and interviews.  He has been honored with the “National Literature Prize” as well as the prize of the Athens Academy in 1940 for his work «Galini ».

Sources:

1. National Book Centre, www.ekebi.gr

2. www.aboutmytilene.gr

3. www.kyknos.com

Edited by:

K. K. Barbatsi