Articles

James Joyce’s Portrait in London’s Greek Newspaper Hē Hesperia (1916–20)

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Abstract

This article will explore the cultural and political networks of influence that underpinned the presentation of James Joyce’s work in the London-based Greek weekly illustrated newspaper Hē Hesperia [The Hesperia] (1916–20). While Joyce lived in Zurich, he developed connections with Switzerland’s Greek community. Among his friends was Pavlos Phocās, who tutored Joyce in Modern Greek and endeavoured to promote his work to Greek audiences. From Zurich, Phocās sent for publication an appraisal of Joyce’s work to Hesperia in London. It appeared on 29 June 1917 and offered a highly positive presentation of Joyce’s work to the weekly’s wide-ranging readerships. It referred to the critical reception of Dubliners, Chamber Music, and A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. Furthermore, it announced Joyce’s new project and his engagement with the Homeric epics. Hesperia was read both by Greek audiences in Britain and in Europe, and by philhellenic Irish and British politicians in London and beyond; my article argues that Joyce’s presentation in this political and cultural weekly publication was significant for the construction of his reception and reputation. My article will thus explore the many-faceted aspects of the publication background of the appraisal of Joyce in Hesperia and its significant impact on Joyce’s writing of Ulysses and career.

Keywords: James Joyce, Greece, Hē Hesperia, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Ulysses, London, Zurich

How to Cite:

Loukopoulou, E., (2025) “James Joyce’s Portrait in London’s Greek Newspaper Hē Hesperia (1916–20)”, Journal of European Periodical Studies 9(2), 91–107. doi: https://doi.org/10.21825/jeps.90007