I Really Liked Your Latest Work!: Giorgos Skambardonis presents his novel “Ήλιος με ξιφολόγχες” (Sun with Bayonets)

Set during the interwar period, in the first half of 1931, the novel follows Colonel Gordios Klimentos, head of counterintelligence in Thessaloniki. His mission is to “unify beliefs” in the captivating city torn apart by conflicts: nationalists versus leftists and Jews, Venizelists versus royalists, Trotskyists versus communists, 140,000 refugees, komitadji (Bulgarian irregulars), paramilitaries, foreign agents, strikes, and murders. Everyone is against everyone. The colonel, who also suffers from uncontrollable romantic passion, struggles to maintain his principles while desperately trying to control the chaotic events. Ultimately, these efforts culminate in June 1931 with the first major attack on Jews in 20th-century Europe: the pogrom and arson against the Jewish neighborhood of Campbell.

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“I Really Liked Your Latest Work!”

Five authors from Thessaloniki, five live interviews.

As part of the “I Really Liked Your Latest Work!” series, five prominent authors rom Thessaloniki will engage in live discussions with Angelos Mallinis about their latest books. These interviews, part of this year’s Dimitria Festival’s literary section, explore both their literary contributions and personal lives. Angelos Mallinis, President of the Parthenon Film Festival and author of the column “Between the Platform and the Track” in Exostis (exostis.gr), which features writings on books and reading experiences, will present Giorgos Skambardonis, Sofia Nikolaidou, Isidoros Zourgos, Thomas Korovinis, and Sakis Serefas over five unique Thursdays. Through photographs and Q&A sessions, the authors will reveal their lives through their works and the macro/microhistory of Thessaloniki. The detailed schedule is as follows.