5th Floor's Story
Nikos Kavvadias

Nikos Kavvadias was a renowned Greek poet, writer, and professional sailor. Much of his literary work is inspired by life at sea, drawing heavily from his own experiences, emotions, and adventures as he traveled the world as a sailor in search of discovery and excitement. Through his writings, he portrays individuals who seek to escape the boundaries of ordinary reality and explore new horizons.

Although sailors during his era endured harsh and demanding conditions at sea, they often longed to return to that life whenever they found themselves on land, captivated by its unique challenges and experiences.

The 1995 film Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea (Li), directed by Marion Hänsel, is based on Kavvadias’ novel Vardia (The Shift).

As his poetry is largely autobiographical, it provides valuable insight into life aboard ships and the experiences of seafarers. Many of his poems have also been set to music, a factor that significantly contributed to the widespread popularity and recognition of Kavvadias’ poetry throughout Greece.