Moskov-Selim by Georgios Vizyinos

“Moskov-Selim” is Georgios Vizyinos’ last short story, written while he was hospitalized in a psychiatric clinic. It was published in the magazine “Estia” in 1895, without the knowledge of the author.

“Moskov-Selim is a great, truly human masterpiece, which, while reading, moved me constantly towards the following emphasis: But this is a Dostoevsky at his best, a Greek Dostoevsky.”
– Angelos Sikelianos

“On every page, Vizyinos demonstrates his ability to understand the complex and contradictory depth of people, to psychologize, inspire, vibrate and move his characters, and to observe and gradually unfold their development and features.”
– Alkis Thrylos

“While Papadiamantis is idyllic and an avid student of manners, and Karkavitsas is heroic and a storyteller of epic deeds, Vizyinos is dramatic and a painter of characters.”
– Kostis Palamas

Georgios Vizyinos (1849-1896) was born in Vizyi, Thrace, and his real name was Georgios Michailidis. He lost his father when he was still a child and lived in Istanbul and Cyprus. In 1873, he met the banker and national benefactor Georgios Zarifis, who put him under his protection for many years. Vizyinos is one of the few writers of the 19th century engaged in substantial education, scientific work, and literary production. He is also one of the most travelled writers, having lived in German cities from 1875 to 1884, as well as in Paris and London. Zarifis died in 1884 and Vizyinos had to earn a living on his own. He worked as a teacher in secondary education and, from 1890, as a professor of rhythmics and drama at the Athens Conservatory. In the Conservatory he met his student, Bettina Fravasili, whom he fell in love with. His unrequited love, combined with psychic traumas of the past, resulted in his hospitalization in the Dromokaiteio psychiatric clinic, where he died in 1896. In Vizyinos’ literary work, aspects of the Phanariotic tradition are met with elements of ethography and psychographic insight, as well as influences from European literary movements of the time. The genre he excelled at was the short story. His most important short stories include: “My Mother’s Sin” (1883), “Who Was My Brother’s Murderer” (1883), “The Only Journey of His Life” (1884) and “Moskov-Selim” (1895).

On Vizyinos’ tombstone, the following verse is engraved, chosen by Kostis Palamas: “And they resonate in the black silence / my bitter, bitter songs.”

The Onassis Stegi, since its first year of operation, has laid down a policy of support and development of youth theatre in our country. Stegi has collaborated with Grasshopper Youth, the pioneering youth theater company, and with the theater director and child psychiatrist Sophia Vgenopoulou, who founded and artistically directs Grasshopper Youth. Stegi and Grasshopper Youth created the Youth Theater Festival and established the commission of works for teenagers to renown Greek authors. The first commissioned work was “Screen Light” by Vangelis Hatzigiannidis (2011-12). It was followed by “Free Waters” by Yiannis Tsiros (2012-13) and “The Train” by Lenos Christidis (2013-14). In 2014-15, Stegi’s proposal for the Youth Stage was a “devised theatre” play, titled “Not innocent any more” and directed by Georgia Mavragani. In 2015-16, Dimitris Karantzas directed “The Waves” by Virginia Woolf for the Youth Stage. Dimitris Xanthopoulos, who is directing “Moskov-Selim” this year, has already collaborated with the Onassis Stegi as part of the Youth Theater Festival and has presented “The Double Book” by Dimitris Hadzis (2012) with the Pequod theater company.

Evening performances for the public
Saturday & Sunday | 19:00

Morning performances for schools (Addressed to teenagers 14+ years old)
Thursday & Friday | 11:00