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submitted by Kytherian Cultural Exchange on 10.02.2015

Darwins Footprint. Cultural Perspectives on Evolution in Greece (1880-1930's)

Author: Dr Maria Zarimis

When Published: 2015

Language: English

Publisher: Central European University Press. CEU Press. CEU Press Studies in the History of Medicine Vol. 6.

Publisher’s website: http://www.ceupress.com/

Description: 340 pages including 15 black-and-white, and color illustrations.

Cloth $60.00 / €45.00 / £38.00

Paperback $35.00/ €27.00 / £22.00

ISBN: 978-963-386-077-9 (Cloth)
978-963-386-100-4 (Paperback)

Available: All good bookshops

Darwin’s Footprint examines the impact of Darwinism in Greece, investigating how it has shaped Greece in terms of its cultural and intellectual history, and in particular its literature.

The book demonstrates that in the late 19th to early 20th centuries Darwinism and associated science strongly influenced celebrated Greek literary writers and other influential intellectuals, which fueled debate in various areas such as ‘man’s place in nature’, eugenics, the nature-nurture controversy, religion, as well as class, race and gender.

In addition, the study reveals that many of these individuals were also considering alternative approaches to these issues based on Darwinian and associated biological post-Darwinian ideas. Their concerns included the Greek “race” or nation, its culture, language and identity; also politics and gender equality.

Zarimis’s monograph devotes considerable space to Xenopoulos (1867-1951), notable novelist, journalist and playwright.

****Book Launch****

Darwin’s Footprint: Cultural Perspectives on Evolution in Greece (1880-1930's), a book by Maria Zarimis

Launched by Scientia Professor John Gascoigne (UNSW) and Dr Alfred Vincent

Synopsis: Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution revolutionised biology and deeply influenced modern thought. But how did Greeks react to it? Dr Zarimis discusses Darwin’s influence on concepts relating to the nation, language, culture and politics.

“The original and significant contribution [of] this book […] derives from the fact that so little has been written, so far, about the influence of Darwin’s writings and Darwinism on Greek literary and social culture” (Emeritus Professor Peter Bien). The event celebrates the centenary of the Greek translation of Darwin’s Origin of Species by Nikos Kazantzakis, one of the authors discussed in the book.

Date: Sunday 29 March

Time: 3.30pm

Venue: Gleebooks, 49 Glebe Point Road, Glebe

Cost: Free

Contact: (02) 9750 0440 or greekfestival@goc.com.au

Festival website: http://www.greekfestivalofsydney.com.au

1 Comment

submitted by
Kytherian Cultural Exchange
on 11.02.2015

“Maria Zarimis’ book is a thorough and in-depth analysis of how mainstream Western scientific ideas found their way into the planning of the modern Greek society through the intermediation of literature. In this sense it strongly contributes to various academic fields, expanding from literary studies and history of science to social history and cultural studies. Furthermore, it contributes to the discussion of travelling concepts and of the role intellectuals hold in this process, while at the same time sheds light onto the multiple ways transnational history is formed.” Antonis Liakos, Professor of Contemporary History and History of Historiography, University of Athens