Entries were anonymously evaluated by the 2006 Platsis Symposium Committee: Sara Ahbel-Rappe, Richard Janko, Vassilios Lambropoulos, and George Platsis.

Yona Stamatis (Rackham Graduate Student, School of Music PhD)
Contemporary Greek Music: The Death or Rebirth of Rebetika?
On March 21, 2006, the Center for World Performance Studies at the University of Michigan held a seminar entitled “Fixed and Fluid,” in which six graduate students from select disciplines discussed his/her research. Rather than read a formal paper, I presented my research in the form of a play in an effort to give my audience a phenomenological understanding of my work. My research consisted of a study of the differences between the musical form rebetika as it is known today and as it existed in early twentieth-century Greece. I translated selections of the autobiography of the great early rebetika musician Markos Vamvakaris, which I then organized into a narrative that depicted his view of the decline of rebetika. After reading a short introduction, I performed his words in costume, played musical examples on the bouzouki and included extensive audience participation.

Katie Hartsock (Rackham Graduate Student, Creative Writing MFA)
The Cavafy Sense, the Cavafy Sensuality (click on title to download PDF)
To be musical and logical, to approach relevant truths by referring to the past, to be frank but not exploitive regarding desire and the body: these are only some of Cavafy’s achievements, and also qualities which much contemporary poetry lacks. In a short essay I argue that it is possible to write poetry both under Cavafy’s influence and also with a singular voice. Following the essay are eight poems of mine written with Cavafy in mind; they aim to create connection to myth, analyze history and epic, and depict lovers’ stories as cosmic epigrams.

Adam Graham (Senior, English BA)
Prometheus Hyperopic (click on title to download PDF)
Deception is not only a forte of the gods.  This poem explores the human side of the Prometheus myth.  What if Prometheus had alternative motives for giving fire and other skills to mankind?  Were the deep hearts of man ever truly innocent and pitiful?

Amanda K. Nichols (Sophomore, English BA)
Breaking Down Walls (click on title to download PDF)
I’ve always understood why people look at me strangely when they find out I’m both Greek and Turkish; however, I felt that most people--myself included--don’t understand the conflict, and perhaps don’t understand the cultural similarities that are also in play. So I decided to explore how these cultures both conflict and intertwine through the lens of my own family, and particularly, through my grandfathers. The results not only surprised me, but encouraged me and deepened the respect I have for both cultures--and both grandfathers.