THE PHILELLENE AUTHOR VICTORIA HISLOP

Victoria Hislop

Victoria Hislop, the famous British novelist returns to Crete as a Greek citizen.

Her historic novel, "The Island", was first published in 2005 and immediately became an international bestseller, selling more than 5 million copies, and connected Victoria Hislop with Greece.

It has been ten years since the TV adaptation of the novel was broadcast, which was apparently the most expensive "television production of all times" in 2010. 

The President of the Greek Republic

Earlier this summer, the President of the Greek Republic, Mrs Katerina Skellaropoulou, offered Victoria Hislop an honourary Greek Citizenship, "For her important services towards Greece, for the international exposure she gave to the historic site of Spinalonga and her promotion of modern Greek culture and history," said the President. 

Spinalonga Former Leper Colony

It is not only that the world is in a state of caution and quarantine, reminiscent of Spinalonga's times as a leper colony, but on a much larger scale, it is also opening its door and heart to Hislop as Britain leaves the European Union.  The author has often expressed that above all she European, she is very much against Brexit.

Anti Brexit Demonstrations

"For me, Brexit was a tragedy," she told  Kathimerini on the wake of becoming a Greek citizen.  "It has been four years since the referendum, it was very hard for me, I tried to change it but it was impossible.  It feels like being in a car that is driving towards a wall at high speed.  The news from Greece, however, made me incredibly happy. It is like escaping from that dangerous car".

Mrs Hislop has spoken in previous interviews about her desire to get a Greek citizenship, but how often do wishes come true? "It was a great honour, something I was dreaming of but never thought would happen", she said.  Her Greek is almost perfect, yet she felt she had to apologise when searching for a precise word.

Crete and Spinalonga

"It was been five months since I was last in Greece.  I have forgotten my Greek, I am sorry.  Normally, I should be already in Crete.  I should have been there since Easter".

Spanakopita

Victoria Hislop first visited Greece when she was 17 and she has seldom stayed away for long, since then.  Besides having written many excellent books, mainly about Greece, she apparently prepares the best spanakopita (spinach pie) in the world with feta. In her opinion "everything is better with feta", according to Kathimerini.