The Greek Studies conference, “Constantine P. Cavafy: Poetry in a Time of Crisis,” will be held from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 5 in 100 Lucas Hall at UMSL. The conference is free and open to the public.

The work of Constantine P. Cavafy, widely considered the most distinguished Greek poet of the 20th century, will be the focus of a conference at the University of Missouri–St. Louis.

The Greek Studies conference, “Constantine P. Cavafy: Poetry in a Time of Crisis,” will be held from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 5 in 100 Lucas Hall at UMSL. The conference is free and open to the public. Immediately following the conference there will be an hors d’oeuvres reception.

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Cavafy, whose poetry touches on themes of eroticism and homosexuality as well as ancient history. Among Cavafy’s most acclaimed works is his 1904 poem “Waiting for the Barbarian.” His most well-know poem is probably “Ithaca.”

Among the speakers at the lecture will be Nikolaos Poulopoulos, visiting assistant professor of history at UMSL and Eamonn Wall, the Smurfit-Stone Corporation Endowed Professor in Irish Studies at UMSL.

The conference is organized by Poulopoulos the Hellenic Government-Karakas Family Foundation Professorship in Greek Studies at UMSL and International Studies and Programs at UMSL.