To a young promising poet from Crete

"Poetry was the basis of their education the guide and commentary of their practice, the inspiration of their speculative thought. [...] their national epics were to them what the Bible was to the Puritans". 
Plato:"When the boy has learned his letters and is beginning to understand what is written, as he understood only what was spoken, they put into his hands the works of great poets, which he reads at school; in these are contained many admonitions, and many tales, and praises, and encomia of ancient famous men, which he is required to learn by heart, in order that he may imitate or emulate them and desire to become like them".

The Greek view of life

Only yesterday I received a present that I was so looking for: The 7th edition of the Greek view of life by G. Lowes Dickinson (1909). The first edition was published in 1896 and I would like to share with you, my dear friends, some parts. 

Chapter IV

The Greek view of Art [Aesthetics and Ethics] 

In approaching the subject of the Art of the Greeks we come to what [...] may be regarded as the central point of their scheme of life. [...] The truer account of the impulse that urged them to create is that given by Plato, in which he describes it as a "madness of those who are possessed by the Muses. 

The Greeks were by nature, artists. They created works of art more purely beautiful than those of any other age or people. [...] The most beautiful work of art, in the Greek sense of the term, as that which made the finest and most harmonious appeal not only to the physical but to the moral sense, and while communicating the highest and most perfect pleasure to the eye or the ear, had also the power to touch and inform the soul with the grace which was her moral excellence. 

Who are we ?

'But here I am to speak what I do know'.
Julius Caesar Act 3 Scene 2 
William Shakespeare 

The first part of the trip London-Brighton-Dieppe-Paris, has gone smoothly. The Greece Needs Love t-shirt has been a great tool for getting the message out there. I've had plenty of questions and it's given me a great opportunity to talk about the London to Athens bike tour and the reunification of the Parthenon Marbles, and what it would mean in today's Europe. The response has been really positive and people seem to understand the motive and reason to reunite them in a very warm and welcoming way.

Every day I think what a noble gesture it would be, an historic event even, for those who have the power to make this decision to instigate the return of the Parthenon Marbles. It would forever be remembered as one of the great cultural gestures of the 21st century; in keeping with the words, art and common culture of Europe.

It is not enough to have knowledge; to be a real academic, a grand academic, it is essential to understand the spirit, the soul of artifacts, places, objects and events. It is also necessary to have the sensitivity, the love and care as well as a sense of justice for art, culture and people.

To think in this way we have to abandon national egos and be generous to each other, especially when our brothers are suffering.

I have always loved Europe and I will die a European because what I have accomplished, studied, felt and applied in my life is the result of what European men have written, produced and create over the centuries. Our background is European. My background is neither Italian nor English, it is simply European. We are a beautiful mix of Greek inventions, German philosophy, Italian and Spanish Art, French aesthetics, the beautiful flowers from Holland, the wounds and the spirit of the Polish people, the elegance and music of Vienna and Prague etc, the list is endless!

Tell me that at least once in your life you haven't been touch by or have experienced these things?

Listening, learning and helping each other will benefit the whole Europe as Union. I dislike those newspapers that continue to write negative articles and sensational headlines full of anger towards people that they have never met or from a place different from theirs. Progress, inclusion and evolution is what is needed, not regression and obscurantism.

This is what I feel and believe

lots of love,

Luca

Brighton and two beautiful homes I saw on my way!

The night before the departure

Good evening, 

I cannot start this short note without thanking those who have supported, encouraged and believed in me from the beginning. Without those people I'd not be here writing this letter the night before my departure. The list is very long, so let's start :-) 

I want to start thank Margarita Kokkinou, that one day, as an angel, she may not know this, sent me a message of encouragement when I was very very sad. She understood immediately the spirit of this adventure: fraternity, support, care and love! Thank you Margarita!
 Maria Geka, that in good and bad times, always found the time to write me and we often exchange phrases of comfort as we were both going through a difficult period in our lives. 

Marlen Godwin for her kind support. Since the first day and for introducing me to the British Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Marbles; people whom I admire and respect for everything they have done and do!

The journalists Alexander Clapp from Ekathimerini and ΑΝΔΡΕΑΣ ΑΞΙΩΤΗΣ from Espresso magazine for their beautiful articles. I cannot thank you enough! Grazie di cuore! 

There are several people who I have been in contact with regularly and I want to thank. In particularly Athina Fountouki, Vassilis Kessissoglou, Maria Nikitea and John Koronaios. 

Finally all my friends here in London, Athens and Sicily that I call my family: David Boyd-Carrigan, Flavia Loscialpo, Wessie Ling, Monica Titton, Donna Bevan, Marcia Ma, Cynthia Wong, Caterina Astarita, Fabio Figlia, Jimmy Lister, Angela Vivona, Giorgio Spiliopoulos and many, many more. A particular thank goes to the Family Mure' [the whole clan] I am so blessed to have met you when I was 13 years old and found you again. It has been very touching! You are always in my heart! 

My apologies if I forgot someone, see you all soon in Athens 

Lots of Love

Luca Lo Sicco

Today in good company at the British museum