School Visits to Cavafy

For the first time, the new Cavafy Archive space in the heart of Athens, which houses the poet’s literary and personal archive, as well as 966 books from his personal library, along with a collection of documents and artworks referencing him, opens its doors and invites junior- and senior-high-school students to get to know Cavafy’s poetry, the materiality of the archive, and archival documents.

A series of personal items, archival documents, and paintings introduce students and teachers to various thematic aspects of C. P. Cavafy, inviting them to think creatively about space and approach the concept of an archive in different ways.

The Cavafy Archive, located on Frynichou Street in Plaka, houses the poet’s literary and personal archive, 966 books from his personal library, and a collection of documents and artworks referencing him.

The Onassis Foundation acquired the Cavafy Archive in late 2012, ensuring its preservation in Greece and preventing its potential fragmentation. The foundation aims to maintain openness and free access to the archive for the public and researchers while promoting the international significance of C. P. Cavafy’s poetry. At the same time, the archive has enriched the Onassis Library collections with rare editions, adding to the seven centuries’ worth of cultural heritage.

Following the publication of the Cavafy Archive’s digital collection in March 2019, which made the archive accessible to all, the Onassis Foundation invested in creating a dedicated space in Athens for the poet’s works, inaugurated in November 2023. The aim was to establish a space for the poet’s writings, books, personal items, and furniture, complemented by artworks that allow a deeper understanding of his ever-growing influence on artists from his time to the present day. Since December 2024, the Cavafy Archive building has opened two additional rooms to the public, displaying more objects and books from the poet’s library, artworks inspired by him created by artists of his time, as well as works presented by contemporary artists as part of the Onassis Foundation’s “Archive of Desire” festival in New York (April 28–May 6, 2023).

The Cavafy Archive is a space open to all—city residents, researchers, and visitors from around the world. Explore the Cavafy Archive’s digital collection, featuring over 2,000 archival documents and 966 books from Cavafy’s library, at cavafy.onassis.org.