What surrealist poet and painter authored the dramatic poem 'Bolivar' (1944), transforming the South American liberator into a pan-Hellenic hero?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Nikos Engonopoulos
- Step 1: Nikos Engonopoulos composed 'Bolivar: A Greek Poem' in the dark winter of 1942–1943 during the Nazi occupation of Athens. He universalized Simón Bolívar's fight for liberation, identifying South American independence with the Greek Resistance and 1821 revolution. Answer: Nikos Engonopoulos. Why not the others: "Andreas Embirikos" was Engonopoulos's surrealist comrade who celebrated psychoanalysis and erotic freedom in 'Oktana'; "Nikos Gatsos lyricist" wrote the single landmark surrealist collection 'Amorgos' (1943) and legendary song lyrics; "Miltos Sachtouris tragic" wrote apocalyptic, hallucinated post-war verses featuring wounded carnival masks and blood.
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