La Sapienzia University of Rome Honors Professor Alkistis Proiou

La Sapienza University of Rome honored its Greek and Latin Philology Professor Alkistis Proiou for her work over the years with two special editions.

The first one concerns the Italian Nobel laureate author, actor, and director Dario Fo. In this Modern Greek and Byzantine studies series’ book, Fo is depicted as a modern times Goliardus (title of the book: Fortune elleniche di un “sinkronos Goliardus”) by Alkistis Proiou and Angela Armati.

The book constitutes a thorough presentation of the unconventional theatre-man’s works that had been staged at Greek theatres after the dictatorship regime fell, while the two researches provide the reader with detailed references to their theatrical reviews.

After 1974, Fo’s works had a free, direct access to the Greek audiences. His works meant for the Greek people the chance of winning back freedom and the warm acceptance of his plays by the Greek audiences was an honoring recognition of Fo’s supportive stance towards the Greeks.

The second book, which was presented at the Conservatorium of the Philosophy School of the Italian University, is co-authored by neohellenists Renata Lavagnini, Paola-Maria Minucci, Alkistis Souloyiannis, Vincenzo Rotolo, Massimo Peri and many others, who are in this way paying tribute to Alkistis Proiou for her enormous contribution as a Modern Greek Professor from 1960 until 2006.

Alkistis Proiou has edited circumstantial studies and presentations on Kavafis, Solomos and Palamas’ works, while her wide knowledge of the Katharevousa and Dimotiki Greek language had earned her the respect of all her Italian and Greek students and colleagues.

President of the Greek Community in Rome Daphne Souli commented after the official presentation of the two books that Alkistis Proiou has had a long creative and valuable presence in the hard times of the Greek dictatorship.

“Meeting regularly back then with a young Greek assistant professor, who was always smiling and had the best possible intentions, made us students become more eager to study but become even more socially active in our fight against the lack of freedom in our country” pointed out Mrs. Souli.