Theodor Kallifatides

Greek-born writer who emigrated to Sweden, and writes in Swedish. He has published novels, poetry collections, travel essays and plays. He has written film scripts and has directed a film.

His father was Dimitrios Kallifatides, a teacher originating from the Pontus, and his mother was Antonia Kyriazakou, from Molaoi. In 1946, he and his family moved to Athens, where he finished high school and studied in Karolos Koun's theatrical school.

He emigrated to Sweden in 1964 and has lived in the country ever since. He studied philosophy, and lectured at Stockholm University between 1969 and 1972; later he was chief of Bonniers literary magazine between 1972 and 1976.

Kallifatides made his literary debut in 1969 with a poetry book, but gained recognition mainly through his subsequently published novels.

Kallifatides has received numerous awards for his works, which usually revolve around his experience of Greece and of being Greek in a foreign country, and almost all his works have been translated; some have been published in more than twenty languages.