Greek writer bridges civilizations through new China-themed works

Greek poet and novelist Tassos Lampropoulos attends a cultural event held in Hangzhou. [Photo/Tide News]

When invited to the 2025 "Focus on Zhejiang" international cultural exchange event this November, Greek poet and novelist Tassos Lampropoulos readily accepted the invitation, adding that the Chinese edition of his new book The Light of Two Worlds will be released next year. This will mark his second publication in China and will explore the intersections of Greek and Chinese spirit, philosophy, and culture.

A longtime admirer of Chinese history, Lampropoulos sees the two ancient civilizations as distant yet kindred. At this year's Liangzhu Forum, he shared these views, describing Greece and China as cultural giants — whose dialogue can illuminate the modern world.

Over the past year, Lampropoulos has produced poetry and fiction that blend elements of Aegean and Yangtze River civilizations. His recent works include a poetry collection inspired by Greek and Chinese antiquity and a short story linking archaeologist Shi Xin'ge with ancient Liangzhu.

Having lived in China for over two decades, he frequently participates in cultural exchanges, gives lectures on philosophy, and travels across Zhejiang for creative research — exploring everything from the She ethnic culture in Lishui to the artistic heritage of Anji.

His upcoming novel, The Light of Two Worlds, imagines a meeting between a Greek philosopher and Chinese scholars in 323 BC, revealing striking philosophical parallels between the two civilizations. The book has attracted significant interest since its Greek release, with the Chinese edition scheduled for publication in 2025.

"As Kazantzakis once said, Socrates and Confucius are two masks of the same human reason," Lampropoulos noted. "Culture is our greatest treasure — through mutual understanding, we can shape a future of peace and respect."