Born in the vibrant city of Athens, Smaragdi Mitropoulou has carved a remarkable path in the realms of literature, education, and the arts. Her profound love for history and storytelling began early and blossomed into an illustrious career marked by creativity, scholarship, and artistic expression. With a robust educational background and a passion for writing, she has emerged as a significant figure in contemporary Greek letters, leaving an indelible mark on the international literary and artistic community.
Smaragdi Mitropoulou pursued her studies in History and Archaeology at the prestigious University of Athens, where she laid the foundation for her understanding of the ancient world. Her thirst for knowledge led her to Cardiff University in the United Kingdom, where she completed her postgraduate studies in Ancient History. These academic pursuits have significantly influenced her literary works, enriching them with historical depth and a profound understanding of the human condition.
Smaragdi’s contributions to education are equally remarkable. She serves in secondary education, where her expertise in history and literature nurtures the next generation of thinkers and writers. In addition to her academic qualifications, Smaragdi has a Diploma in Creative Writing from the Writers’ Bureau College in Manchester and has further honed her skills in theatre writing and directing through courses at the International Institute of Theatre in Athens and the Cultural Foundation of Tinos Island in Greece.
Smaragdi Mitropoulou made her literary debut in 2014 with the play Before the Sun Goes Down (Ostria Editions), marking the beginning of a prolific writing career. Her next work, One Moment Just an Eternity (2015, Ostria Editions), a collection of short stories, was followed by Sounds in the Silence (2017, Ostria Editions), further establishing her as a versatile writer. In 2019, she released Barsaat the Dance of Rain, a stunning blend of short stories and poems that solidified her reputation as an evocative storyteller. This collection, published by 24grammata Editions, was honored as the Book of the Year by the Greek Cultural Association of Cyprus.
Her poetry collection Mirror Words (2021, 24grammata Editions) continued her literary ascent, earning the Book of the Year 2021 distinction from the same association. In 2022, she published Like an Old Fairy Tale (Sympantines Diadromes Publications), a narrative that demonstrated her unique storytelling prowess. Most recently, her 2023 novel The Lady of the Castle was awarded the prestigious Golden Book Award at the Panorama Golden Book Awards, further testifying to her literary genius.
Smaragdi’s works have transcended linguistic barriers, with One Moment Just an Eternity and Sounds in the Silence translated into English and published by Ontime Books in the UK and Pharos Books in India. Her stories have captivated readers worldwide, with One Moment Just an Eternity becoming a bestseller in eight countries.
Smaragdi Mitropoulou’s literary achievements have been met with widespread acclaim. She has been honored with the Larry Niven Literary Award for Fiction on three occasions, receiving First and Second Prize in the Fiction category. In 2019, she was awarded the Alexandros Papadiamantis Prize for Prose by the literary magazine Kefalos for her exceptional contributions to modern Greek literature and intellectual life.
Her international accolades include the Panorama Youth Literary Award 2020, which she received as part of the Panorama International Literature Festival held in India. Her poem Eternity won a gold medal at an international poetry competition in China in 2021, and her work I Paint received an honorary distinction at the Nosside International Poetry Competition in Italy. Smaragdi’s ability to weave universal themes into her writing has resonated deeply with global audiences.
Beyond her literary works, Smaragdi has made significant contributions to the academic community through her participation in educational conferences. She has delivered insightful papers at numerous prestigious conferences, blending her expertise in history and literature. Her presentation on Cavafis’ Timelessness through the Motive of Reminiscence and Loneliness at the 5th Conference of the Museum of School Life and Education was published in the American Journal of Modern Education Review in 2021. Her scholarly pursuits continued at the 8th Panhellenic Conference in 2023, where she presented Portraits of Women in Homer, with a focus on the tragic figures of Hecuba and Andromache.
In 2024, Smaragdi delved into the theme of anthropomorphism in the Homeric epics with her paper When Gods Became Humans: Anthropomorphism of Gods in the Homeric Epics, which she presented at the 9th Panhellenic Conference.
Smaragdi Mitropoulou is not only a prolific writer but also an accomplished photographer. Her creative eye has led her to participate in numerous exhibitions, both in Greece and abroad. Her photography has been featured in notable group exhibitions such as Think Seas, Think Light and Art of Wind and Sea at the Agios Athanasios Art Center in Naoussa Paros, and in the group exhibition Art is Not What We See but What We Think We See at the O.A.K.A. Motor Festival in 2022. Smaragdi’s solo photography exhibitions, Life on Infinity, presented at the Art16 gallery in Kerameikos, further highlighted her artistic versatility.
Her visual works have also graced the covers of online magazines, enhancing the visual dialogue in the contemporary art world. Through her photography and literature, Smaragdi continues to explore the intersection of art and storytelling, creating works that resonate on both intellectual and emotional levels.
Smaragdi Mitropoulou’s contributions to literature, history, education, and the arts are both profound and far-reaching. Her ability to blend her knowledge of ancient history with contemporary storytelling sets her apart as a unique voice in modern literature. Her works, translated into multiple languages, have reached audiences across Europe, Asia, and Latin America, with her short stories and poems published in prominent magazines and websites worldwide.
As an Executive Board Member of the Writers Capital International Foundation and a Lifetime Fellow of the International Society for Development and Sustainability (ISDS) in Japan, Smaragdi continues to champion the power of literature and art to bridge cultures and inspire change. Her journey is a testament to the enduring impact of creativity and intellect in shaping the world’s cultural landscape.
Smaragdi Mitropoulou’s literary and artistic legacy is one of boundless creativity, intellectual rigor, and a deep commitment to preserving and celebrating cultural heritage. As she continues to inspire readers and audiences globally, her work remains a beacon of artistic excellence and a testament to the transformative power of words and images.
