George Valetas

ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ

George Valetas (Argennos, Lesvos, 1907 – Athens, April 21, 1989) was an emblematic figure of modern Greek letters: philologist, writer, essayist, editor, magazine publisher, translator, and politically active intellectual within the left-wing movement. His contribution to the promotion of the demotic Greek language, the establishment of modern Greek literature, and the cultural revival of both the interwar and postwar periods was pivotal.

Early Life and Studies

George Valetas was born in 1907 in Argennos, Lesvos. He grew up in a rural environment, but from an early age displayed an inclination towards learning. He studied at the School of Philosophy of the University of Athens, where he specialized in Philology. During his student years, he became involved in circles dedicated to the demotic language, folklore, and the progressive intellectual movement of the time, influenced both by the demoticist movement and socialist ideas.

Literary Activity

Valetas engaged extensively in the philological editing of major works by important Greek writers. He was among the first to edit the works of Dionysios Solomos, Rigas Feraios, Kalvos, Korais, and also of modern writers such as Papadiamantis, Varnalis, Sikelianos, Kazantzakis, among others, with scholarly precision.

He also stood out as the publisher and editor of significant literary journals. The magazine Neoellinika Grammata (Modern Greek Letters), which he launched in 1935 and revived in the postwar period (1945–1953), became one of the most important platforms for presenting, supporting, and analyzing contemporary Greek literature. Through its pages passed the works of writers such as Ritsos, Venezis, Elytis, Seferis, Anagnostakis, and many others. This magazine was a beacon of progressive Greek thought during difficult times marked by censorship, war, and persecution.

He also collaborated with and edited notable literary series such as Modern Greek Library and Philological Thought, while also producing literary anthologies widely used in secondary education.

Political and Ideological Identity

Valetas belonged ideologically to the left. During the interwar period and after World War II, he maintained ties with radical intellectuals and became a member of the National Liberation Front (EAM). His leftist ideology is reflected in his work and in the themes, authors, and texts he promoted through his journals and publications.

In 1951, he was elected Member of Parliament for Lesvos with EDA (United Democratic Left), and in 1958 he briefly served as Minister of Education in the caretaker government of Konstantinos Georgakopoulos (May 1958), an appointment that reflects his recognition as an intellectual of broader acceptance despite his political positions.

Literary Contributions

George Valetas wrote numerous monographs and studies on Greek literary figures, primarily focusing on detailed biographies, critical approaches, and philological commentary. Notable among these are his works on:

Alexandros Papadiamantis

Kostis Palamas

Angelos Sikelianos

Nikos Kazantzakis

Kostas Varnalis

His contribution to the study of Greek demoticism and popular literature was also significant, as was his critical evaluation of 19th- and 20th-century literary movements.

Among his most important works are his edited editions of the Collected Works (Apanta) of many authors, complete with introductory philological notes, critical commentary, and indexes.

Translation Work

Valetas also translated key works of world literature and political thought. Among others, he translated works by Rousseau, Voltaire, and Hugo, aiming to introduce the Greek public to progressive and humanistic ideas.

Pedagogical and Educational Contribution

As a philologist, he worked in secondary education and left a strong mark as a teacher, emphasizing the use of the demotic language, the aesthetic education of students, and the promotion of Greek literature as a living educational resource. He wrote school manuals, anthologies, and edited textbooks for Modern Greek Literature.

Legacy and Death

George Valetas died on April 21, 1989, in Athens. He left behind a vast body of work that continues to influence modern Greek philological thought. He is considered one of the founding figures of modern Greek literary criticism and is often ranked alongside such notable figures as Dimaras and Politis.

His contribution extends beyond philology: he was a thinker with deep political and social awareness who connected his scholarly work with the vision of a democratic, humanistic, and free culture.

Notable Quotes About His Work

“George Valetas was not merely an editor of texts but an inspirer of Greek literature.”

“Through Modern Greek Letters, he brought forth an entire generation of poets and prose writers who shaped the 20th century.”

Works

His research papers on our older literature:

Τα Νέα Λεσβιακά Γράμματα, Vol. A, "Σταυράκης Αναγνώστου and His School," reprinted from Ποιμένας Μυτιλήνης, Typographia Demokratēs, 1935

Ο Σολωμός και οι Φαναριώτες 1825-1891: A study, Valetas, Giorgos M., 1936

Κριτικά στον Σολωμό: Excerpt from Φιλολογικός Νέος Κόσμος. Athens, July 5, 1935, Issue 8

Φιλολογικά στον Βιζυηνό: Bibliographical, biographical, critical, literary, aesthetic, unpublished. Athens, Alevropoulos Publishing, 1936, 8vo, p. 94

Φιλολογικά στον Καρκαβίτσα: Part One: Bibliographical - biographical - critical - unpublished poems. Patras, Achaika, 1937, 8vo, p. 32

Τα Νέα Λεσβιακά Γράμματα, Vol. IX, "Τα 'Τραγούδια Ξενιτευμένου' του Εφταλιώτη", a critical study. Mytilene, Prōinis Publishing, 1937, 8vo, p. 10

Αιολική Βιβλιογραφία 1566-1939: Books - printed materials in Lesbos and the Aeolian region, written by Lesbians and Adramytians, Valetas, Giorgos M., [1939]

Παπαδιαμάντης: η ζωή - το έργο - η εποχή του: A philological study awarded by the Academy of Athens, Athen Verlag der "Byzantinisch-Neugriechischen Jahrbücher," 1940

Χρονικό του Γαλαξειδίου: A folk history of 1703 written by the priest-monk Efthymios Pentayiotis. Literary restoration by G. Valetas, Athens, Ikarios Publishing, 1945, 8vo, p. 245

Το προδομένο Εικοσιένα, Athens, Korydallos Publishing, 1946, 8vo

Χρονικό της σκλαβωμένης Αθήνας στα χρόνια της τυραννίας του Χατζη-Αλή (1774-1796): Based on the manuscripts of the fighter Panagiotis Skouzes from the years 1841, edited and restored by G. Valetas. Kolo Lou Publishing, 1948, 8vo, p. 166

Λόγοι Πατριωτικοί απλοσύνθετοι: On the enslavement of women and the decay of the nation, and denunciations of dowries and commercial marriage, preached in 1767 by Patriarch Manouēl Khantzerēs. Athens, Piēgi Publishing, 1948, 8vo, p. 87

Τρίτομη Ανθολογία της Δημοτικής Πεζογραφίας (1948-50)

Άπαντα του Ιακώβου Πολυλά (1950)

Άπαντα του Γερασίμου Μαρκορά (1951)

Άπαντα του Ιωάννου Γρυπάρη (1952)

"Φατσέας" Χωριάτικες Γραφές: Popular essays of 1850 on freedom and education, restored by G. Valetas. Athens, Piēgi Publishing, 1952, 8vo, p. 144

Άπαντα του Γεωργίου Τερτσέτη. Athens, Piēgi Publishing, 1953-54, 8vo, Vol. I-III, p. 300 & 402 & 410

Άπαντα του Αλεξάνδρου Παπαδιαμάντη, 6 volumes (1954-56)

Άπαντα του Δημητρίου Αινιάνος: Memoirs of Karaiskakis and other fighters, OEE Atlas, Athens, 1962

Άπαντα του Αδαμαντίου Κοραή, 4 volumes, A1, A2 (Works) and B1, B2 (Correspondence), Dōrikos Publishing, 1964-1965, p. 64+1394+904+864

Άπαντα του Νικολάου Κονεμένου (1965)

Επίτομη Ιστορία της Νεοελληνικής Λογοτεχνίας, Publisher Petros K. Ranos, 1966

Άπαντα του Παύλου Νιρβάνα, H. Giovannis Publishing, 1967

Άπαντα του Αθανασίου Χριστοπούλου (1969)