Obra Maestra - Today's Brilliant Contemporary and Modern Artist for Literature: Sir Antonis Filippaios

In the vibrant city of Athens, on a crisp day in 1980, a soul destined for the poetic realms of life was born – Sir Antonis Filippaios. From the early years, the bustling streets and ancient whispers of Athens nurtured his insatiable curiosity and boundless imagination. With a heart as vast as the Aegean Sea and a mind eager to explore the depths of human experience, Antonis set forth on a journey that would shape his destiny.

After completing his high school education, young Antonis embarked on an adventurous pursuit of knowledge, crossing borders to Italy. In Rome, the eternal city, he immersed himself in the study of Law at the prestigious University of Rome for two transformative years. The cobblestone streets, historic monuments, and the lyrical cadence of Italian life seeped into his consciousness, sowing the seeds of his future poetic endeavors.

Returning to Greece, Antonis sought deeper understanding and broadened his intellectual horizons at a private college in Athens. There, he delved into International and European Relations, disciplines that would later infuse his poetry with a rich tapestry of global perspectives. His thirst for knowledge led him to the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, where he earned a degree in Italian Language and Literature in 2012, further enriching his literary arsenal.

With a foundation of diverse academic pursuits, Antonis’s inexhaustible creativity found its true calling in the noble sphere of poetry. His words, like brushstrokes on a canvas, began to capture the essence of human emotion, earning him accolades and awards in international competitions. Esteemed figures in literature and the arts recognized his poetic prowess, offering auspicious commendations that fueled his passion.

In 2017, Antonis’s poetic voice reached a crescendo at the International Art Academy, where he unveiled his poetic collection, “Animus Nudus.” This collection, a reflection of his soul laid bare, resonated deeply with audiences. It earned him the “Anacreon Award” at the 3rd World Poetry Contest – “Constantine P. Cavafis,” and was hailed as the best poetry project of 2018 by the association.

Antonis’s work continued to shine on various illustrious platforms. His collection stood out at the Hellenic Cultural Association of Cypriots of Greece (HCACG) in 2020, while the titular poem, “Silentium – In the Name of Silence,” garnered honors at the 7th International Literary Competition of 2018 by the Hellenic Association of Literature, Arts, and Sciences of UNESCO. His poem “Naked Soul” from “Animus Nudus” received the “Pratinas” Award at the 7th World Poetry Contest – Amphictyony of Hellenism in 2018. Additionally, his poem “The Lovers of Light” won first prize in 2019 at the 8th World Poetry Contest – Amphictyony of Hellenism and was praised by the magazine of Literary Arts and Culture, “Kelaino,” at the 19th Panhellenic Poetry Competition in 2019.

In 2020, his poignant piece, “The Oracle of Antigone,” earned recognition at the 10th Global Literary Contest of the HCACG. This poem, awaiting inclusion in his upcoming collection, stands as a testament to his evolving poetic genius.

Antonis Filippaios’s contributions extend beyond poetry. He is a diligent participant in various cultural and artistic institutions. As a member of the International Organization of Thessaloniki – Amphictyony of Hellenism, UNESCO’s Literary Arts and Sciences Association of Greece, and the Northern Greece Union of Writers (NGUW), Antonis’s influence spans across borders. His poems, translated into English, Italian, and Russian, have found a place in numerous anthologies, collections, and encyclopedias, amplifying his voice on the global stage.

The melodic quality of Antonis’s poetry transcends the written word. In 2019, his poem “Naked Soul” was melodized by composer and performer Eleftheria Metaxa and Mr. Dimitrios Boukonis, the President of the Amphictyony of Hellenism. This collaboration culminated in a compact disc, immortalizing his words in a symphony of emotion. From the same collection, the poem “Life” awaits musical adaptation by the same talented composer, promising to weave Antonis’s poetic essence into melodies that touch the heart.

Sir Antonis Filippaios’s journey is one of relentless pursuit of beauty, truth, and emotional resonance. His poetry, a reflection of his soul’s deepest yearnings, has touched countless lives, earning him a revered place in the annals of literary history. Through his words, he continues to bridge the gap between cultures, eras, and emotions, leaving an indelible mark on the world.

"WINGS OF CUPID"

By: Antonis Filippaios 

I touched the wings of Cupid and got hurt.

The roses I was holding

fell in the sky and got lost

like the stars that wipe their tears

at the first light of dawn…

I fell in love with the most beautiful creature I met 

at the paths that fate led me.

Sometimes I was feeling, from fear, 

like a small and helpless nightingale,

drifted by cold and strong winds 

to undiscovered lands,

to tropical places,

that vanished in the first rainbow.

I believed in the unfair,

for there I found the redemption;

I sought for the instant, small deaths

for they made me reborn…

Nothing was like it was before!

I knew how to get lost in roads 

that burned the eternal charms of life.

Inside one of them

I was hiding my secrets…

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"PROMISE"

By: Antonis Filippaios 

There, 

at the stairs of the Earth

that lead to the blue sea,

there

Ill be waiting for you…

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"STORM"

By: Antonis Filippaios 

Words flicker when you try

to touch them with the heart;

they need life, that only you can give.

They are ready to come out from lips

and fall like autumn leaves

on the paper.

You want to carve them like a modern sculptor,

like glowing signs. 

Traces of the soul,

small fragments of past moments 

were waiting for their creator

to give them a name,

a meaning to seal the present

through the perspective of forever.

You are losing the words…

But look,

they are coming all alone,

glibly escaping from the romantic prisons 

you had captured them in

and become an identification,

small, raw pearls bestrewing

a different color

able to travel you 

further and further,

to light fires again, clear as the daylight,

to bedew thirsty anemones,

to fill in distance seas…

The more real the perfume,

the more mesmerizing the trip.

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"SAD TRUTH"

By: Antonis Filippaios 

A heart of nostalgic words

the dreams I secretly held

in my arms.

I soaked them with liquid explosions of pain,

believing they would blossom.

Waited for the moment they would caress

the light of the bright fountain 

of your eyes.

Charm that fills vast meadows,

water of soul that fester and flood 

small seeds with dozens of sighs.

Was it early? I dont remember…

Was it late? I dare not to fear…

Galloping towards the sky,

I see you and me together,

as if it was yesterday

when we left tracks

at our own hideouts,

as if we were not apart…

I couldnt stand the silence 

and I gifted an answer written in music sheets,

burned to save the truth.

I knew the truth

you knew the truth

and all those that managed to survive beside us

they knew it.

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