Page 99 - ATHENS RIVIERA JOURNAL 2022

ELO UND A

“The Island”, “One
August Night” and
“Maria’s Island” are
like an exciting window
looking at Plaka and
Spinalonga.

VIC TORIA HISLOP
The Cretian

Narrator

Intervie w by Vivian Vourtsa

A fervent lover of Crete island, she writes through the relate that to themselves and their own situation – they
ink of compassion combining her zeal of anything Greek know what it is to be left out in the playground, and how
with the strong awareness of sensitive social topics. In children are often quite cruel to each other (no less than
her first book of children, she narrates a different tale adults) and aware if someone is different in some way.
for the age of innocence. I think teachers – and education - in the 21st century
What kind of skills you mastered while writing “Maria’s Island”? show us more clearly how to incorporate social issues into
You have to be straightforward with children. They are classroom. But I hope books such as “Maria’s Island” can
curious, ask questions and demand answers, the truth. contribute to this.
So, you should never write “down” to children. They Recreating “The Island” for children after 16 years did it feel
deserve your best writing too. like living it all again?
What characteristics a book about stigma should have? The Island has been with me almost every day in some
In the case of “The Island”, which I adapted for children, way, since it first came out in 2006! So, I think I live
the stigma of course is leprosy itself, which has caused it almost every day: I am currently working on the
people to be shunned for many millennia. But children development of an international version for television. >

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