Biographical novels for children constitute an interesting case, as authors employ their creative imagination while combining history and factual descriptions to invite young readers to become part ...of a distant reality rich in social, anthropological and historical significance. This article focuses on the work of Greek writer Kira Sinou titled Anna and Theophano: Princesses Abroad (Άννα και Θεοφανώ, πριγκίπισσες στα ξένα, Κέδρος 2004) and her effort to narrate the life of significant feminine personalities of the Byzantine period in a “truthful” sense, so as to revive literary past-present dialogues. This article aspires to highlight the ways in which the author makes use of the narrative nature of historiography to reveal the Byzantine past to children and adolescents, attempting not only to underline the importance of timeless sociopolitical issues, but also to contribute to the shaping of children’s self-identity and attitudes by using gender stereotypes and critical literacy practices.
Biografski romani za djecu predstavljaju zanimljiv slučaj jer se autori oslanjaju na svoju kreativnu maštu pri kombiniranju povijesti i faktografskih opisa kako bi privukli mlade čitatelje da postanu dio udaljene stvarnosti bogate društvenim, antropološkim i povijesnim značajem. Ovaj je rad usredotočen na roman Anna i Theophano: Princeze u inozemstvu (Άννα και Θεοφανώ, πριγκίπισσες στα ξένα, Κέδρος 2004) grčke spisateljice Kire Sinou i njezino nastojanje da pripovijeda o životima važnih žena iz bizantskoga razdoblja na „istinit“ način kako bi oživjela književne dijaloge prošlosti i sadašnjosti. Cilj je rada istaknuti načine autoričine porabe pripovjedne naravi historiografije kako bi djeci i adolescentima otkrila bizantsku prošlost. Pritom pokušava istaknuti važnost vječnih društveno-političkih pitanja, a također i pridonijeti oblikovanju samoidentiteta djece čitatelja i uspostavljanju njihovih stavova izlažući ih rodno uvjetovanim stereotipima i praksi kritičke pismenosti.
The historical novel for children is the kind of Literature that transmits to young readers the historical knowledge in a pleasant and easy way, thanks to its entertaining and recreational character. ...The fictional heroes in most children's historical novels are social examples for the young readers, who adopt behaviors and motivations through observation. Additionally, the postmodern attestation of History as narration, with the appointment of microhistory - which is favored when the psychography of fictional heroes is on the forthground and when historical facts are interpreted from different perspectives and under various visual angles - spur many writers to provide marginal characters with space as well as speech.
Bearing in mind that the byzantine era is a common subject in Children’s Literature and contemporary novelists try to educate children and at the same time bring out Byzantium's charm either by highlighting neglected historic events or by examining already known faces and facts from a fresh angle and given the fact that the concept of intertextuality in literature is a way to build up interpretive communities among young readers, this paper examines Greek writer’s, Penelope Maximos, five historical novels for children entitled as In the years of Alexios Komninos, (Stochastis, 1984), The first crusaders in Byzantium; 1096-1099 AD (Stochastis, 1989), Emmanouil Komninos. The knight emperor (Stochastis, 1990), The downfall of Thessaloniki. In the years of Andronikos Komninos (Stochastis, 1987) and Close to Athenais (Astir, 1972). More specifically, we will focus on the way Maximos attempted to make “visible” fictional characters who were until recently considered of less or least importance; Minors and adults who were being oppresed during the Byzantine era, such as slaves, suddenly become protagonists surrounding historic characters and, thanks to their presence, make the plot roll smoothly. In this paper will be also pointed out the way the writer chose to present to young readers female characters and their efforts not only to express their emotions freely, but also to interfere with Byzantine society and fight for their rights, in order to point out to the juvenile readers paths, thoughts and life idealism.
In Greek children’s literature, very few books deal with Roma children, especially in a protagonist role – therefore, the aim of this article is to examine literary re1presentations of Roma children. ...The four books presented in this paper help the youngest readers understand how marginalised this social group is in the context of Greek society. Adopting the basic principles of multicultural literature as well as the method of imagology or cultural iconology, it can be said that prejudices and stereotypes are projected through literary characters. In addition, the perpetual persecution of the Roma people is revealed in the works analysed herein, including their genocide during the Second World War. The ideological stance of the books is one of friendliness towards Roma children, even though the racist and suspicious attitude of non-Roma is not in any way glossed over or concealed. In conclusion, according to the authors of the article, what is missing in Greek and European children’s literature is the authentic portrayal of Roma and the authentic voices of Roma writers.
In Greek children’s literature, very few books deal with Roma children, especially in a protagonist role – therefore, the aim of this article is to examine literary representations of Roma children. ...The four books presented in this paper help the youngest readers understand how marginalised this social group is in the context of Greek society. Adopting the basic principles of multicultural literature as well as the method of imagology or cultural iconology, it can be said that prejudices and stereotypes are projected through literary characters. In addition, the perpetual persecution of the Roma people is revealed in the works analysed herein, including their genocide during the Second World War. The ideological stance of the books is one of friendliness towards Roma children, even though the racist and suspicious attitude of non-Roma is not in any way glossed over or concealed. In conclusion, according to the authors of the article, what is missing in Greek and European children’s literature is the authentic portrayal of Roma and the authentic voices of Roma writers.
Biografski romani za djecu predstavljaju zanimljiv slučaj jer se autori oslanjaju na svoju kreativnu maštu pri kombiniranju povijesti i faktografskih opisa kako bi privukli mlade čitatelje da postanu ...dio udaljene stvarnosti bogate društvenim, antropološkim i povijesnim značajem. Ovaj je rad usredotočen na roman Anna i eophano: Princeze u inozemstvu (Άννα και Θεοφανώ, πριγκίπισσες στα ξένα, Κέδρος 2004) grčke spisateljice Kire Sinou i njezino nastojanje da pripovijeda o životima važnih žena iz bizantskoga razdoblja na „istinit“ način kako bi oživjela književne dijaloge prošlosti i sadašnjosti. Cilj je rada istaknuti načine autoričine porabe pripovjedne naravi historiograje kako bi djeci i adolescentima otkrila bizantsku prošlost. Pritom pokušava istaknuti važnost vječnih društveno-političkih pitanja, a također i pridonijeti oblikovanju samoidentiteta djece čitatelja i uspostavljanju njihovih stavova izlažući ih rodno uvjetovanim stereotipima i praksi kritičke pismenosti.
