The Modern Greek Section of the University of Cambridge is participating in two events open to the public in this year's Festival of Ideas.

1) "LITERATURE, RETELLINGS AND THE TRUE WASTE LAND"

T. S. Eliot's The Waste Land is famous for, among other things, the self-conscious appropriation of the works of other poets. But what about the poem itself, as a whole? Was it Eliot's invention or did it exist before he wrote it, perhaps in Socrates' "place beyond heaven" (topos huperouranios) where archetypes are said to dwell?
Apostolos Doxiadis, author of Uncle Petros and Goldbach's Conjecture and Logicomix, starts from a little-known short story by Greek poet and essayist Nasos Vayenas, written forty years ago, and through the examination of more recent versions which attempt at capturing the "original Waste Land"  explores  fundamental question underlying artistic creativity: are we all telling and retelling the same old things? Are all literary works failed imitations of a superior model? Are the archetypes of literature mere templates or more than that, actual works?

Saturday 22 October: 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Faculty of Law, 10 West Road, CB3 9DZ

http://www.festivalofideas.cam.ac.uk/events/literature-retellings-and-tr...

2) TASTER SESSION IN MODERN GREEK

Don't get lost for words in Greece! Join Dr Regina Karousou-Fokas for this enjoyable and welcoming introduction to the Modern Greek language where you will have the opportunity to learn about the language and develop basic language skills. By the end of the session you will even be able to write your name and greet Greeks in their native language.

This event is suitable for absolute beginners, no prior knowledge of Greek is necessary but a passion for learning languages will help!

Saturday 22 October: 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Faculty of Modern and Medieval Languages, , Sidgwick Avenue, CB3 9DA

http://www.festivalofideas.cam.ac.uk/events/taster-session-modern-greek