Kostas Krystallis

Kostas Krystallis (; 1868–1894) was an ethnic Aromanian, Greek author and poet, representative of 19th century Greek pastoral literature. He was born an Ottoman subject in Epirus, but escaped to Greece after being denounced to the authorities for writing a patriotic collection of poetry. He was the son of a local merchant. When his mother died he moved together with his father to Ioannina, where he attended the Zosimaia High School. Because of this highly patriotic work he was denounced by the Ottoman authorities, and sentenced to 25 years in exile.

Krystallis initially wrote his works in archaic language and belonged to the romantic poets of the First Athenian school. However, after 1891 he adopted the vernacular (Demotic) Greek language, while he became influenced by the New Athenian school, which was dominated by Kostis Palamas, the composer of the Olympic Hymn. During this period many of his poems were mainly adaptations of oral folk poetry.

Krystallis, as well as Christos Christovasilis, composed short patriotic stories inspired by the bravery of the fighters of the Greek War of Independence (1821–1830) and especially the Souliotes. His house is now a museum aimed to protect Aromanian cultural heritage in the region.

Bibliography: poetry collections and short stories Σκιαί του Άδου (Shadows of Hades) Ο καλόγηρος της Κλεισούρας του Μεσσολογγίου (The monk of Kleisoura of Missolonghi) Αγροτικά (Pastorals) Τραγουδιστής του χωριού και της Στάνης (The singer of the Village and the Fold) Πεζογραφήματα (Novels) Γκόλφω (Golfo) Ψωμοπάτης Αρπαγή (Seizure) Αθάνατο νερό (Immortal water) Θάνατος της βοσκοπούλας (Death of the Shepherdess) Αναμνήσεις (Memories) Όνειρο (Dream)