KYPROS CHRYSANTHIS, M.D., Ph.D., O.St. J.

KYPROS CHRYSANTHIS (1915-1998) Poet, prose writer and dramatist, author of children's literature, translator, anthologist, magazine publisher, critic, medical doctor, research, journalist. Was born in Nicosia, attended the pancyprian Gymnasium, studied medicine (1933-1939) at he University of Athens and received his doctorate from the same University (1948). In the academic year 1951-1952, he attended post-graduate studies at the Institute of Child Health in London. He lived and practiced the medical profession in Nicosia.

Kypros Chrysanthis is one of the most prolific Greek authors, an author who is known well beyond the geopolitical boundaries of Hellenism, while his works have been translated into many languages. Chrysanthis is also one of the most important connecting links in the cultural life of Cyprus, especially over the last thirty years, both with his literary work as well as with his duties on a number of cultural associations. He is the publisher and editor in chief of the magazine Pnevmatiki Kypros, chairman of the board of directors of the Greek Cultural Association of Cyprus, of the Association of Cyprus Studies and of National Association of Greek Writes of Cyprus.

Over the years, his literary work has amassed a great deal of mentions of merit, among which special importance is held by the First National Prize for Poetry in Cyprus (1968), the Second National Prize for Poetry of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs of Greece (1969), the "Lambros Porphyras" Award for Poetry of the Academy of Athens (1985), Life Achievement Award for his contribution to Cypriot letters (1986), etc. These have been culminated, recently, in the the State Prize for Letters and Arts of the Republic of Cyprus (1995) and in the Centennial Award of the International Olympic Committee for his contribution to Olympic Ideals (1995).