Sexuality, Politics and Literature

The Cavafy Archive and the Onassis Stegi are organizing a discussion on Sexuality, Politics and Literature in response to Dimitris Papanikolaou’s book "‘Made just like me’. The Homosexual Cavafy and the poetics of sexuality”. In the discussion, renowned authors and critics will investigate the connections between sexuality and poetics, between identity politics and literature by analyzing how these connections are often missing from public dialogue.

Dimitris Papanikolaou’s book in the short time since its publication has posed a series of questions regarding the significance of desire and sexuality in C.P. Cavafy’s oeuvre while simultaneously arguing on the ways with which literature can express sexual difference, its politics and historical dynamics. Sexuality, politics and literature are categories that are linked not just with Cavafy’s work but cross-over in ways hitherto unforeseen. As critics have already remarked, the issues investigated by the book are particularly relevant today as matters of concern not just for academics but for the wider public as well. In this manner, the continuing influence of the Alexandrian poet’s work is more evident than ever.

Dimitris Papanikolaou’s book "‘Made just like me’. The Homosexual Cavafy and the poetics of sexuality” is published by Patakis.