Background
This year's Agon will be a celebration of the Naukrateia.
According to Herodotos the Pharaoh Amasis, who was a great lover of
Greek
culture, built the city of Naukratis
as
a home
for Hellenic settlers in Egypt.
It was specifically designated as an emporion
or
trading-center, and
played an important role in the diffusion of Greek and Egyptian ideas.
(It was
also famed for its courtesans, who were considered the most beautiful
women in
all the world, and its artists and flower-growers.) When the Greeks
came to Egypt
they
brought their traditional gods along with them. Temples
to Apollon, Hera, Zeus,
Aphrodite and
the Dioskouroi among others were built in Naukratis, as well as the
Hellenion,
or common temple of all the Hellenes.
The Naukrateia honors the foundation of the city which was the
principle
center of Greco-Egyptian culture before the creation of Alexandria,
and
the bringing of the Greek
gods to Egyptian soil. It is one of our most important festivals, and
that is
why we have chosen to have the Agon coincide with it this year.
How it
works
There will be two categories this year.
Poiesis
– including hymns, poetry, free verse, etc.
Logos
– including essays, short fiction, and other
forms of prose
writing.
The themes of this year’s Agon are:
1)
Homecoming and Homesickness
2) The
gods of Naukratis
Prizes awarded will include:
1st Place
– A $25 gift certificate to Powells, Borders, Amazon.com, or
a
similar company.
2nd Place
– A copy of one of our Bibliotheca
Alexandrina titles.
3rd Place
– A Neos Alexandria bumper sticker or magnet from our Cafepress.com
shop.
Anonymous voting begins on the Noumenia of Panēmos (05/25/09) and the
winners
will be announced during the Naukrateia (06/06/09) at which time all
entries
will then be reposted with the proper credit restored. Everyone who
participates in this will be given a commemorative banner that they can
display
on their blog, website, or other social networking tool.
May the best entries win!
The
entries
Poiesis
Persephone’s Dilemma by
Jennifer Lawrence - Awarded 1st place!
Aphrodite Soteira by Melia Suez
- Awarded 3rd place!
The Gifts of Aphrodite by
Amanda Sioux Blake
Alone by Jeremy J. Baer - Awarded 2nd place
Chicago
Naukrateia by Ari
Untitled by Treasa Ní
Conchobhair
21-D by Rebecca Buchanan
Logos
Heimweh by Shin "Solo" Cynikos - Awarded 2nd place!
Slipper by Melia Suez
Home Sweet Home by Jeremy
J. Baer
Reunion by P. Sufenas Virius Lupus
- Awarded 1st place!
Tracing the Thread of My Relationship with
Isis by Amanda Sioux Blake - Awarded
3rd place!
Homecoming by Allyson Szabo
