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Nikos Kazantzakis

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:8,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
Nikos Kazantzakis

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Auction Date:2018 May 09 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Greek writer and philosopher (1883–1957) best known for his novel Zorba the Greek. Extremely rare ALS in French, one page both sides, 8 x 10, Organisation des Nations Unies Pour L'Education, La Science & La Culture letterhead, June 8, 1947. Letter to Swedish Hellenist historian Borje Knos. In part (translated): "Here we are in the month of August-the generous Greek god who brings us there these both fruits full of mystery and honey, figs and grapes. Could I hope that this generous god will lead your steps to Paris? I would really be happy…Here, in Unesco's office, the work has been very intense and interesting. But it does not leave me with much free time to breathe and write, I began a series of works (tragedies and novels) and everything remains unresolved. And there is nothing in the world that gives me a greater pain than unfinished work. I do not want to die without being able to save my full soul, by expressing it in clear, hard and inflamed words. Like Ulysses in my Odyssey, I would only let death get a few bones and a bit of dried flesh…Shall we still have time to enjoy this unique and ephemeral life? Light increasingly darkens our poor planet, as we are entering a pervasive shadow, the human mind suffers an eclipse-our responsibility is great, and every spark of light that exists must be saved…the word beginning! Every day, I become more and more pessimistic and more aware of human responsibility. Keep that spark, do not let it off! To fighting this horrible night with this little light. To standing with open eyes, mind being like a sentinel." In fine condition. Accompanied by a TLS from Kazantzakis's widow forwarding this letter to a charity auction for the Association Suisse en Faveur des Enfants Infirmes Moteurs Cerebraux.

Written while in self-exile during the year between publishing two of his most famous novels, Zorba the Greek and The Greek Passion, Kazantzakis pens this letter in poetic language and refers to many of the same themes present in his literary works-he deals with his own mortality and spirituality, as well as the responsibilities of humankind in an ever-darkening world. It also features outstanding literary content, with a reference to what he considered his most important work, The Odyssey: A Modern Sequel, and his fear of letting work go unfinished. Having dedicated his entire life to a spiritual journey, Kazantzakis's desire to "save [his] full soul, by expressing it in clear, hard and inflamed words," is immensely powerful-his religious and artistic journeys are linked, and his struggle to write becomes his struggle to attain spiritual fulfillment. An exquisite letter containing all that could be desired in an epistle from the celebrated Greek writer-philosopher.