Aristotelis Valaoritis

Aristotelis Valaoritis from Lefkada, in Greece: The renowned poet Aristotelis Valaoritis was born on the island of Lefkada in 1824 and died on the island of Madouri in 1879. The poet was known for his exploits during the pos-liberation period.

Greek literature ceased to exist under the oppression of the Turkish rule, except in Crete, where very few scholars survived the Turkish onslaught. The Greeks were finally blessed with the ‘Enlightenment’ when they were liberated from the Turks in 1832. The emergence of eminent literati in this phase was a corollary, as they were relieved from the shackles of the Muslim rule. This change facilitated the growth of a rich culture.

Aristotelis Valaoritis was a product of this particular era. He studied law at the universities of Pisa, Geneva, and Paris and graduated in 1848. Afterwards he traveled across Europe promoting the reasons for the annexation of the Ionian Islands to the Greek state. This renowned lyricist was known for his descriptive imagery, patriotic fervor, his love for his motherland, and his admiration for the valor of these countrymen who liberated his nation from the clutches of a foreign rule in 1821. His lyrics are both romantic and patriotic. Some of his poems are Kira Frosini, Athanasios Diakos, Foteinos, etc.

Apart from poetry, he also involved in politics. He represented Lefkada, for many years to the Ionian Parliament. It was a member of radicals of the Ionian Parliament who was pressing for the unification of the islands with the rest of Greece. This dream was finally fulfilled and he became a member of the National Parliament later. After his death, his grandchildren brought his remains back to his magnificent villa in Madouri, a small private island opposite Nydri.