Nestled in the heart of Plaka, one of Athens’ most iconic and historic districts, the “Elytis’ House Museum” now welcomes visitors from around the world, including academics and literature enthusiasts. Dedicated to the esteemed Nobel laureate Odysseas Elytis, the museum celebrated its grand opening on Friday, November 1, just one day before the poet’s birthday on November 2, 1911.
As one of the most celebrated poets of the late 20th century, Odysseas Elytis stands alongside Giorgos Seferis as one of Greece’s two Nobel laureates in literature. Both poets are prominent figures of the renowned ‘Generation of the ’30s’ movement, which introduced modernism to Greek art literature..
Elytis played a pivotal role in this literary transformation, and his works are regarded as a national treasure, integral to Greece’s cultural and historical legacy. Widely translated, his long poem The Axion Esti—in which the speaker delves into the essence of personal and national identity—gained immense popularity and contributed to Elytis being awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1979.
The museum’s opening featured a musical tribute to Elytis’ poetry and readings of his work in the presence of distinguished figures from the worlds of art, education, and culture, including Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni, Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni, and Athens Mayor Haris Doukas.
In his speech, Prime Minister Mitsotakis described the museum as “a vibrant nucleus of modern Greek poetry and way of thinking,” while Minister Mendoni expressed her satisfaction that Elytis now has a dedicated space where his invaluable archive can be preserved and celebrated for generations to come.
The Museum
Housed in a restored neoclassical building in Plaka, a property of the Greek Ministry of Culture, the Elytis House Museum is set to open to the public on November 7.
Divided into four main areas, the museum aims to present visitors with the fundamental ideas, beliefs, and idiosyncrasies of the poet. True to the simplicity that characterizes Elytis’ beliefs and aesthetic, the museum showcases information about his life and oeuvre, as well as an interactive journey through his work, allowing visitors to explore his personal workspace and documents.
On the ground floor, visitors are greeted by an introductory exhibit featuring a timeline of the main landmarks in the poet’s life and work. The core themes of Elytis’ poetry and his relationships with other art forms are presented through rich archival materials—original editions, manuscripts, translations, and audiovisual content—as well as a selection of Elytis’ personal artifacts from Ioulita Iliopoulou’s collection, the copyright holder of his intellectual property rights.
Ιoulita Iliopoulou, the copyright holder of Elytis’ intellectual property rights is seen at the museum’s inauguration with the Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
The inner hall includes a faithful reconstruction of Elytis’ working space, showcasing his study desk, which he used from his school years throughout his life, along with personal furniture such as his bookcase – designed by Greek artist Yannis Moralis – and a selection of over 700 books from his personal library.
On the first floor, a multi-purpose hall equipped with a grand piano will serve as a venue for lectures, conferences, educational programs, and art exhibitions. Another room features the museum’s library, housing publications of Elytis’ books and poetry, foreign translations of his work, and additional audiovisual material, creating a research space for visitors and scholars.
Elytis’ House Museum is accessible to foreign visitors who wish to explore the poet’s legacy, as each display comes with English-language exhibit texts.
For information on the museum’s opening hours, ticket prices, and reservations, please visit its official website.
