The collection of Giorgos Chronas focuses primarily on literature and includes poetry collections, novels, and critical studies, often bearing handwritten dedications from their authors. It also comprises works of philosophy and history, as well as literary journals. The collection has been donated to the Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation in stages since 2015 and continues to be enriched by the donor. The library of Dimitris Laletas consists of books on literature and art. Together, the two collections comprise approximately 10,000 items.
The library of publisher and poet Giorgos Chronas and the library of painter Dimitris Laletas
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Biography
Giorgos Chronas (b. 1948) is a poet and publisher. Since his first appearance in the literary scene in 1973, he has published more than twenty books of poetry, prose, and theatre. In 1979, under the direction of Manos Hadjidakis, he began his collaboration with the Third Programme of Greek National Radio, where he presented the programme ‘Odos Panos 17’. For many years he also hosted the radio programme ‘Hotel Balkania’ and worked with the First and Second Programmes. His poetry and prose have been translated into several languages. More than 120 songs with lyrics by Chronas have been set to music by Greek composers, including Manos Hadjidakis, Yiannis Markopoulos, and Michalis Tranoudakis. Since February 1981, he has been publishing the literary magazine Odos Panos, as well as the homonymous publishing house and the “Sigareta Editions”. He has occasionally written for magazines and newspapers and has served as editor of the literary supplement ‘Vivliothiki’ of the newspaper Eleftherotypia. In 2011, he was awarded the Cavafy Award, and in 2013 he was honoured by the Municipality of Piraeus for his contribution to Greek letters.
Dimitris Laletas (1964–2011) was the principal visual artist of the magazine and publishing house Odos Panos, for which he also designed its distinctive emblem featuring the god Pan. He worked with the publishing house for twenty years and was also active there as a translator of English-language bands, receiving consistently positive critical reception for his work. In his painting, Laletas depicted faces of men, women, and children, often alongside elements of the natural landscape. The final series of works he presented, entitled ‘Nocturnes’, focuses on dark compositions in which horses emerge from the shadows, held by their riders by the reins. He held solo exhibitions at Bilieto in Paiania, the Hellenic American Union, and Babel, and participated in group exhibitions at K-Art Gallery and Babel. His paintings and drawings were published in magazines such as Lifo and Symbol. From March 2009, he was a regular contributor to ‘Vivliothiki’, the literary supplement of the Saturday edition of the newspaper Eleftherotypia. His personal library, comprising rare Greek and international publications, along with all of his previously unexhibited artworks, was entrusted to Odos Panos.