One of the most important and influential
Greek writers and philosophers in the
modern age. Born in
Iraklion, capital of
Crete, in 1883, died 1957 in Germany.
Probably his two most famous works (both made into exceptional films) are Zorba the Greek (Vios kai politeia tou Alexi Zorba) and The Last Temptation of Christ (O teleutaios peirasmos).
Kazantzakis was excommunicated by the Greek Orthodox church for the perceived blasphemy of "Temptation", but was nevertheless honoured by his compatriots after death with a wonderful burial place in one of the Venetian forts overlooking Iraklion. The view is breathtaking.