Challenging conventional narratives of Greek cultural export, this study shifts focus from intrinsic literary merit and bilateral exchange toward the complex transnational networks and mediation processes that rendered Greek literature appealing to global audiences. Focusing on Nikos Kazantzakis—the most internationally acclaimed Greek author of the 20th century—this case study demonstrates that his global breakthrough was driven not by domestic publishing channels, but by Swedish translations by Börje Knös and the advocacy of Max Tau. As a German-Jewish publisher and literary agent in exile, Tau leveraged pre-existing professional networks to facilitate the rapid translation and circulation of Kazantzakis's novels. The study situates this dissemination within the broader socio-historical context of post-war Europe, examining the intersections of Cold War cultural politics and the reconstruction of the international publishing industry. Ultimately, it highlights how exile networks, informal publishing diplomacy, and personal visions of a European 'cultural bridge' created unforeseen opportunities for Greek literature in the aftermath of the Second World War.