Theofylaktos Papakonstantinou
Encyclopedia
Theofylaktos F. Papakonstantinou (1905-1991) was a Greek
columnist, political and social analyst and historian. His nickname was "Petros Monastiriotis". He was born in Monastiri, Macedonia
(that was the reason of his nickname) in 1905 and studied literature, philosophy, history and didactics at the University of Athens.
He was the author of "Great Greek Encyclopedia" (Μεγάλη Ελληνική Εγκυκλοπέδια) (1928-1934), author of newspaper "Independent" (Ανεξάρτητος) (1934-1936), author and managing editor of newspaper "Morning" (Πρωία) (1936-1943), managing editor and columnist of newspaper "Freedom" (Ελευθερία) (1945-1949), columnist of newspaper "Meridian" (Μεσημβρινή) (1963-1967) and contributor of many magazines and "National Institure of Radiobroadcasting" (Εθνικό Ίδρυμα Ραδιαφωνίας), (1950-1953 and 1959-1964). He was also a war correspondent in 1941, traveling the whole firing line from the northern point to the southern one.
During the enemy bondage of Greece
, he edited with some of his colleagues the newspaper of national resistance "Fighting Greece" (Μαχόμενη Ελλάς), (August 1942 - October 1943), where he was writing the main articles and many columns in order to tone up the moral and to inform the Greek
people, along with subverting the moral of the enemy. This newspaper was delivered to the "Free Greek Government" at the headquarters of Middle East
. In this framework he compiled proclamations towards the enemy forces in order to wear down their mood, with remarkable success. In October 1943, he escaped in Middle East
(Cairo
), because his activities against Axis
was detected and it was matter of time to be arrested by the Germans. He served there, in the exiled Greek Government as Director of Press at the National Intelligence Service (1943-44).
After he returned, he became briefly the General Director of Internal Press. Some decades later, and after the written adjuration (for the solution of its insurance fund serious financial problems), of the "Union of Daily Newspapers Authors of Athens" (Ένωση Συντακτών Ημερησίου Τύπου Αθηνών), he nominated Sub Minister of State (1967) and Minister of Education
(1967-1969). The financial problems resolved with the law AN248 of 1967 which, he compiled and it is in force even nowadays. He abdicated in 5th of April in 1969, when it was clear that there would be no elections as military government promised. He compiled the "Political Civics" (Πολιτική Αγωγή) in 1970. A brief edition of this book, was inserted as lesson in schools. He received 2 millions drachmas as auctorial rights and he donated all of them in the Greek State
.
After this, he was a columnist in newspaper "Acropolis" (1972-1985). He wrote the book "The Great Adventure" (Η Μεγάλη Περιπέτεια) in 1987, where he describes his experiences from his political involvement, writing for the first time without censorship. His last book, "The Small Adventure" (Η Μικρή Περιπέτεια) in 1987, was a complement of the previous one. He died in old age in 31st of March in 1991. He wrote many articles in dictionaries, newspapers and magazines and he wrote several books.
He translated into Greek
books of Karl Marx
, Sigmund Freud
, Charles Gide
, Sidney Hook
and others. He was honoured with the award of "Athens Academy" for his book "Anatomy of Revolution" (Ανατομία της Επαναστάσεως), with the Cross of Taxiarches of the Royal Battalion of Phoenix, with the Great Cross of Greek Orthodox Church of Jerusalem, with Rood A Class of Greek Orthodox Church of Alexandria and with the High Taxiarch of George I of Greece's Battalion. His resistance during German
occupation has been recognized by the Greek State
. His had written in total 7.576 articles of 21.600 pages. His work has been qualified such an Era of Greek Journalism only by its own.
Archives of "Union of Daily Newspapers Authors of Athens" (Ένωσις Συντακτών Ημερησίων Εφημερίδων Αθηνών)
Greeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
columnist, political and social analyst and historian. His nickname was "Petros Monastiriotis". He was born in Monastiri, Macedonia
Macedonia (region)
Macedonia is a geographical and historical region of the Balkan peninsula in southeastern Europe. Its boundaries have changed considerably over time, but nowadays the region is considered to include parts of five Balkan countries: Greece, the Republic of Macedonia, Bulgaria, Albania, Serbia, as...
(that was the reason of his nickname) in 1905 and studied literature, philosophy, history and didactics at the University of Athens.
He was the author of "Great Greek Encyclopedia" (Μεγάλη Ελληνική Εγκυκλοπέδια) (1928-1934), author of newspaper "Independent" (Ανεξάρτητος) (1934-1936), author and managing editor of newspaper "Morning" (Πρωία) (1936-1943), managing editor and columnist of newspaper "Freedom" (Ελευθερία) (1945-1949), columnist of newspaper "Meridian" (Μεσημβρινή) (1963-1967) and contributor of many magazines and "National Institure of Radiobroadcasting" (Εθνικό Ίδρυμα Ραδιαφωνίας), (1950-1953 and 1959-1964). He was also a war correspondent in 1941, traveling the whole firing line from the northern point to the southern one.
During the enemy bondage of Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
, he edited with some of his colleagues the newspaper of national resistance "Fighting Greece" (Μαχόμενη Ελλάς), (August 1942 - October 1943), where he was writing the main articles and many columns in order to tone up the moral and to inform the Greek
Greeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
people, along with subverting the moral of the enemy. This newspaper was delivered to the "Free Greek Government" at the headquarters of Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
. In this framework he compiled proclamations towards the enemy forces in order to wear down their mood, with remarkable success. In October 1943, he escaped in Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
(Cairo
Cairo
Cairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
), because his activities against Axis
Axis Powers
The Axis powers , also known as the Axis alliance, Axis nations, Axis countries, or just the Axis, was an alignment of great powers during the mid-20th century that fought World War II against the Allies. It began in 1936 with treaties of friendship between Germany and Italy and between Germany and...
was detected and it was matter of time to be arrested by the Germans. He served there, in the exiled Greek Government as Director of Press at the National Intelligence Service (1943-44).
After he returned, he became briefly the General Director of Internal Press. Some decades later, and after the written adjuration (for the solution of its insurance fund serious financial problems), of the "Union of Daily Newspapers Authors of Athens" (Ένωση Συντακτών Ημερησίου Τύπου Αθηνών), he nominated Sub Minister of State (1967) and Minister of Education
Minister for National Education and Religious Affairs (Greece)
The Ministry of Education, Lifelong Learning and Religious Affairs , formerly the Ministry for National Education and Religious Affairs , is a government department of Greece...
(1967-1969). The financial problems resolved with the law AN248 of 1967 which, he compiled and it is in force even nowadays. He abdicated in 5th of April in 1969, when it was clear that there would be no elections as military government promised. He compiled the "Political Civics" (Πολιτική Αγωγή) in 1970. A brief edition of this book, was inserted as lesson in schools. He received 2 millions drachmas as auctorial rights and he donated all of them in the Greek State
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
.
After this, he was a columnist in newspaper "Acropolis" (1972-1985). He wrote the book "The Great Adventure" (Η Μεγάλη Περιπέτεια) in 1987, where he describes his experiences from his political involvement, writing for the first time without censorship. His last book, "The Small Adventure" (Η Μικρή Περιπέτεια) in 1987, was a complement of the previous one. He died in old age in 31st of March in 1991. He wrote many articles in dictionaries, newspapers and magazines and he wrote several books.
He translated into Greek
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
books of Karl Marx
Karl Marx
Karl Heinrich Marx was a German philosopher, economist, sociologist, historian, journalist, and revolutionary socialist. His ideas played a significant role in the development of social science and the socialist political movement...
, Sigmund Freud
Sigmund Freud
Sigmund Freud , born Sigismund Schlomo Freud , was an Austrian neurologist who founded the discipline of psychoanalysis...
, Charles Gide
Charles Gide
Charles Gide was a leading French economist and historian of economic thought. He was a professor at the University of Bordeaux, at Montpellier, at Université de Paris and finally at Collège de France.- Academic work :...
, Sidney Hook
Sidney Hook
Sidney Hook was an American pragmatic philosopher known for his contributions to public debates.A student of John Dewey, Hook continued to examine the philosophy of history, of education, politics, and of ethics. After embracing Marxism in his youth, Hook was known for his criticisms of...
and others. He was honoured with the award of "Athens Academy" for his book "Anatomy of Revolution" (Ανατομία της Επαναστάσεως), with the Cross of Taxiarches of the Royal Battalion of Phoenix, with the Great Cross of Greek Orthodox Church of Jerusalem, with Rood A Class of Greek Orthodox Church of Alexandria and with the High Taxiarch of George I of Greece's Battalion. His resistance during German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
occupation has been recognized by the Greek State
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. His had written in total 7.576 articles of 21.600 pages. His work has been qualified such an Era of Greek Journalism only by its own.
- References
Archives of "Union of Daily Newspapers Authors of Athens" (Ένωσις Συντακτών Ημερησίων Εφημερίδων Αθηνών)