Michalis Ganas (1944-2024) passed away, leaving an unfulfilled gap in contemporary Greek poetry.

Born in 1944 in Tsamantas of Thesprotia, he carried in his work the images of folk people and the snowy landscapes of Epirus, while his works such as “Gyallina Giannina”, “Akathistos Dipnos” and “Christmas Story” touched readers of all ages and backgrounds with their images. The important poet’s thinking was determined both by his years at the Athens Law School (where he did not complete his studies) and the experience he gained from working for many years in editing, bookstores and print newspapers.

It is precisely this penetrating look into the heart of the modern Greek, and especially the ordinary man, that stands out in his lyrics, which have been set to music by composers such as Mikis Theodorakis, Dimitris Papadimitriou, Nikos Xydakis, Giorgos Hadjinasios and Thanasis Gaifillas. Among his many sung lyrics are the songs: “Chroma den allazune ta matia”, “Ki an se thelo”, “Tu pothou to agrimi”, “Lefko mu giasemi”, “Gia ton mation sou to chroma”, “Mikros Titanikos”, “Na deis ti su cho gia meta”, “Karavia sti steria”, “sto Su Mi Ju kapia vradia”.The poet himself explained: ”In song I write more simply because one cannot wonder ‘what the poet wants to say’. Not simplistically. Gatsos’ lyrics are not simplistic … when I write lyrics I always have this concern – because lyrics have to be straightforward, you can’t go back … read it again – whereas poetry readers are more trained, I know they can decipher the words. As a socially engaged art, I’d consider the song.”

Michael Ganas was fortunate to have been acclaimed by both his readership and the state during his lifetime. In 1994, his work “Paralogi” was awarded the 2nd State Poetry Prize, while in 2011 he was awarded a prize for his entire work by the Athens Academy. His work has been translated into German, Italian, French, Albanian, English, Chinese and other languages.