While some authors depict a city, Giannis Xanthoulis takes a bold approach: he deconstructs, satirizes, and ultimately reconstructs it. His latest work, “The Conquest of Athens by the Gargara Sisters” (published by Dioptra), inspired an engaging discussion with George Evgenidis on the show Direct on protothema.gr, but the conversation extended far beyond that.
For Xanthoulis, Athens embodies many lives and realities. He reminisces about the early days when he arrived “for his kidneys,” the city of cemeteries that intrigued him more than museums, and the theatrical hub filled with apartment buildings. He fondly recalls his balcony, which turned into a plant-filled haven before ultimately collapsing. “I had a vibrant green balcony, but it fell. I came home to find the Fire Brigade had arrived. My little forest on the fifth floor was gone!”
Self-identifying as a “migrant” within Athens, he expresses, “I have always dreamed of conquering Athens,” referencing his new book where the Gargara Sisters challenge the current status quo. “I enjoy revisiting places that I primarily create,” he emphasizes, reflecting his desire to craft fantastical worlds.
The interview meanders from nostalgic recollections of a different Greece — “we were waiting for the ’60s,” he reminisces, “we weren’t even close to wealthy” — to observations about modern life. He critiques, “Superficial wealth and chasing trends are our Greek neuroses,” adding, “Everyone today seems the same. The uniformity disgusts me.” With a hint of sarcasm, he remarks on today’s youth, likening them to calves and bemoaning what he considers the heresy of wearing white socks.
Interestingly, Giannis Xanthoulis shuns social media; he doesn’t have an Instagram account and finds Facebook exhausting, quipping, “I keep seeing birthday wishes and random sayings.” He avoids television discussions and prefers watching classic films before bed.
About His New Book
Xanthoulis’s book, The Conquest of Athens by the Gargara Sisters, published by Dioptra, presents a satirical portrait of modern Athens through his subversive lens. The Gargara Sisters invade the city, unraveling their tale in a nation grappling with historical amnesia, comedic morals, and stark dissonances. Imagination serves as a means of condemnation, while satire emerges as the ultimate solace.
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