In the new Podcast of the “Libraries in Dialogue” series, on the topic “Japanese Literature, History, and the Arts at the National Library of Greece,” an interesting discussion is taking place with translator and author Grigoris Miliaresis, who has been living and working in Tokyo for the past seventeen years. The discussion takes its starting point from the 90th Thessaloniki International Book Fair, which featured Japan as the guest of honor.

As its popularity in the West has continued to grow in recent years, we explore the reasons that have made it such a popular destination, as well as how one can approach it beyond the stereotypes.

Myths and realities, the Japanese perspective on national diversity, the contradictions between the traditional and modern Japanese worlds, and the timeless concept of takumi and its significance are some of the topics of discussion.

Podcast Curation and Presentation: Thalia Karamolegkou