Iakovos Kambanelis

Iakovos Kambanellis (Greek: Ιάκωβος Καμπανέλλης; 2 December 1921 – 29 March 2011) was a Greek poet, playwright, screenwriter, lyricist, and novelist.

Biography Born 2 December 1921 in Hora on the island of Naxos, the sixth of nine children of Stefanos Kampanellis, an experienced pharmacist, and Aikaterini Laskari. His father came from Chios, while his mother came from an old noble family in Istanbul. Iakovos Kambanellis appeared as one of the most prominent Greek playwrights of the 20th century and he is considered to be the father of modern Greek theater. As a survivor of the Mauthausen-Gusen concentration camp, he wrote the lyrics of the "Mauthausen Trilogy" with music by Mikis Theodorakis. He has also written a memoir known as Mauthausen describing his experiences from the concentration camp. He wrote the scripts of at least 12 films and he directed three of them. In addition, he is well known as a lyricist, having written the lyrics for more than 100 songs. He was a member of the board of the Cultural Foundation of the National Bank of Greece (MIET – Morfotiko Idryma Ethnikis Trapezis), along with some of the most prominent Greek artists. From 1981 to 1987, he was Director of the Radio section of the Greek National Broadcasting Company (E.R.T.). In 2000 he was elected member of the Academy of Athens. The same year he was awarded the medal of the Order of Phoenix by the President of the Greek Republic.

Death Kambanellis was rushed to the hospital on 4 February 2011 due to complications of his long-term kidney failure. At the age of 89, he died on 29 March 2011 from kidney failure, nine days after his wife's death.

Theatre Year Transliteration Title Performed at 1950 Choros pano sta stachya Χορός πάνω στα στάχυαDance upon the Cobs Adamandios Lemos Company 1955–56 Evdomi mera tis dimourgias Έβδομη μέρα της δημιουργίαςSeventh Day of Creation National Theatre, 2nd stage 1957 Aftos kai to panteloni tou Αυτός και το παντελόνι τουHe and his pants Vassilis Diamantopoulos 1957 I kryfi zoi tou Warren Mitty Η κρυφή ζωή του Γουώρεν ΜήττυThe secret life of Warren Mitty Vassilis Diamantopoulos 1957–58 I Avli ton Thavmaton Αυλή των ΘαυμάτωνThe Courtyard of Miracles Art Theatre 1958–59 I ilikia tis nihtas Η ηλικία της νύχταςThe Age of Night Art Theatre 1959 O Gorillas ke i Ortansia Ο Γορίλας και η ΟρτανσίαThe Gorilla and the Hydrangea Elsa Verghi Theater Company 1959–60 Paramythi choris onoma Παραμύθι χωρίς ΌνομαFairy tale without a Name Vasslis Diamantopoulos New Theatre 1963–64 Geitonia ton angelon Γειτονιά των αγγέλωνNeighborhood of Angels Karezis' Company 1966–67 Viva Aspasia Βίβα Ασπασία " Long live Aspasia" Karezis' Company 1966–67 Odyssea gyrise spiti Οδυσσέα γύρισε σπίτιUlysses, come home Art Theatre 1970–71 Apikia ton timorimenon Αποικία των τιμωρημένωνColony of the Punished Marietta Rialdi Experimental Theatre 1971–72 Aspasia Ασπασία Aspasia Karezi-Kazakos Company 1972–73 To megalo mas tsirko Το μεγάλο μας τσίρκοOur Great Circus Karezi-Kazakos Company 1974 To kouki kai to revythi Το κουκί και το ρεβύθιThe Chickpea and the Broad Bean Karezi-Kazakos Company 1975 O ehthros Laos Ο εχθρός λαόςThe Rival People Karezi-Kazakos Company 1976–77 Prossopa yia violi ke orhistra Πρόσωπα για βιολί και ορχήστραCharacters For Violin And Orchestra Art Theatre 1978–79 Ta tessera podia tou trapeziou Τα τέσσερα πόδια του τραπεζιούThe Four Legs of the Table Art Theatre 1981 O babas o polemos Ο μπαμπάς ο πόλεμος Daddy War Art Theatre 1988 O aoratos Thiasos Ο αόρατος ΘίασοςThe Invisible Troupe National Theatre

Cinema He wrote several scripts for films including: Stella directed by Michael Cacoyiannis O Drakos (The Ogre of Athens) directed by Nikos Koundouros Arpagi tis Persefonis (The Siege of Persephone) directed by Grigoris Grigoriou To kanoni kai t'aïdoni (The Cannon and the Nightingale) directed by himself and Giorgos Kampanellis

Many of his plays are translated in several languages and produced in countries all over the world: in Austria, Bulgaria, Iran, England, Germany, Hungary, Romania, U.S.A., Russia, China, Norway and Sweden. His plays translated in Iran by Reza Shirmarz, famous playwright, translator, author and researcher, have been republished several times in a short time. He worked as a journalist in newspapers Eleftheria (1963–65), Anendotos (1965–66) and Nea (1975-1980). He has been a member of the Greek Theatre Writers' Company.