Zakynthos is well known in Greece as the birthplace and place of inspiration for many poets and writers. Undoubtedly the most famous is Dionysios Solomos, one of his poems was later incorporated to form the words of the Greek National Anthem.
He is the most well known Greek writer. Andreas Kalvos and Gregorios Xenopoulos are other prominent Zakynthian's whose literature is well known throughout Greece. In 1830 one of the best known plays 'Basil' about Zakynthian life was written by Antonios Matesses. His play features a love story set on Zakynthos and it is staged even today almost 200 years after it was written.
The poet Edgar Allan Poe also wrote a famous poem about Zante called 'Sonnet to Zante' where he describes the island as 'an island of gold' and 'the flower of the Levante'.
Zakynthos Arts & Culture topics 
