Challenging conventional narratives of Greek cultural export, "Der Brückenbauer Max Tau (1897–1976). Ein europäisches Netzwerk für Nikos Kazantzakis (1883–1957)", the latest publication by Bart Soethaert, shifts the focus from intrinsic literary merit and bilateral exchange to the transnational networks and mediation processes that enabled Greek literature to reach global audiences. With a special focus on international reception, Soethaert demonstrates that the author's global breakthrough was driven not by domestic publishing channels, but by Swedish translations and the advocacy of the German-Jewish publisher and literary agent, Max Tau. The study situates these developments within the socio-historical context of post-war Europe and highlights the role of exile networks, informal publishing diplomacy and visions of a European 'cultural bridge' in shaping literary circulation.

A product of Soethaert's work in Research Area 4: "Literary Currencies" and Research Area 5: "Building Digital Communities" at EXC 2020, the paper appears in the volume '… διὰ τοῦ λόγου ἐμβριθῶς' / … sorgfältig durch die Vernunft. Eine Festschrift für Marilisa Mitsou, edited by Ulrich Moennig and Cluster member Miltos Pechlivanos.

 

Bart Soethaert. "Der Brückenbauer Max Tau (1897–1976). Ein europäisches Netzwerk für Nikos Kazantzakis (1883–1957)". In … διὰ τοῦ λόγου ἐμβριθῶς / … sorgfältig durch die Vernunft. Eine Festschrift für Marilisa Mitsou, edited by Ulrich Moennig and Miltos Pechlivanos. Berlin: Edition Romiosini, 2026. (Open Access)