Dimitris Lipertis

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Dimitris Lipertis Δημήτρης Λιπέρτης
Born	1866 Larnaca, Cyprus
Died	1937 Nicosia, Cyprus
Occupation	poet
Nationality	Cypriot
Writing period	1890-1937
Literary movement	Cypriot dialect

Influences Vasilis Michaelides

Dimitris Theophani Lipertis (Greek: Δημήτρης Λιπέρτης) is considered as one of the most prominent Cypriot poets.

[edit] Biography

Lipertis was born in Larnaca in 1866 (exact date disputed–either 22 Sep, or 26 Oct). His father, Theofanis Lipertis hailed from Kyrenia, but moved to Larnaca where he set up a trading company. His mother was Kokonou Modinos.

He received his basic education from various literary figures of Larnaca. He then furthered his studies in Beirut (from 1880 -1884) where he studied languages at the American University of Beirut and the Jesuit Université Saint-Joseph specialising in English and French. On his return to Cyprus, he first took up a clerical post (1885-1890) at Larnaca legal courts. For the next decade he worked in various governmental departments such as payroll officer in the public works department, inspector of vineyard diseases, coastguard official etc. Through his various jobs he came into contact with the Cypriot countryside and its genuine inhabitants, along with getting to know the various dialects spoken in the different regions of Cyprus.

In 1900 he left Cyprus for Naples where he studied philosophy and then to Athens for theology studies. He also travelled to Egypt in search of employment. On his return he began working as a teacher in the capital Nicosia. He first worked at the Pancyprian Gymnasium from 1910-1912 as a French language teacher and then at The English School. He also served as the first headmaster of the Mitsis commercial academy in the village of Lemythou.

[edit] Works

He wrote and published some poetry in katharevousa but the main body of his work is in the Cypriot Dialect. Some of his poems have been adapted into songs by the modern artist George Dalaras. He is considered as one of the most prominent modern Cypriot poets and has been the theme of stamps issued by the Cyprus Post Office.

He published 3 collections of poems: