Irene Doura Kavadia Enhances Cultural Diplomacy Between Countries Through Her Contributions to Artistic Projects and Festivals
Interviewed by: Donia Sahab – Iraq
Irene Doura Kavadia, the Greek academic, writer, translator, and cultural activist, contributes to building bridges between global cultures through literature and the arts. She works to enhance cultural and artistic communication through leading international projects and institutions, and also seeks to strengthen cultural diplomacy between countries through developmental activities, organizing festivals, and participating in global conferences.
Thanks to these efforts, Irene has become a central figure striving to integrate the arts and literature with knowledge to promote the values of dialogue, understanding, and peace among peoples. Through her distinguished career in education and culture, and her prominent positions, such as Secretary-General of the Writers Capital International Foundation and Vice President of the Panorama International Arts Festival, she has managed to leave a tangible impact on the global cultural scene.
In this interview, we highlight her artistic and cultural vision, her experiences in literature and the arts, and her role in inspiring the next generations of creators around the world.
1- At the beginning of the interview, we welcome Ms. Irene Doura-Kavadia from Athens, Greece, the Secretary-General of the Writers Capital International Foundation. We would like to learn about the beginnings of your upbringing in Athens, and how they contributed to nurturing your early passion for learning foreign languages and writing, and how this was reflected in shaping your cultural personality and in charting your professional path in the field of literature and education?
I was born in Athens, the eternal city where antiquity and modern life converse every single day. Growing up among ancient ruins that still speak and streets that hum with modern energy, I felt language surrounding me like air—inevitable, omnipresent, life-giving. From childhood I was irresistibly drawn to foreign tongues, each one unfolding as a secret world waiting to be discovered. Naturally, it was my parents that first instilled the love of foreign languages in me; my father having travelled across seas for years has been a living testament of their significance, Writing thus became my way of weaving these worlds together into a single tapestry of meaning. As I often say, “we are all citizens of language before we are citizens of nations.” That conviction has guided me unwaveringly toward literature, linguistics, and education as my life’s path.
Yet the calling of writing came even earlier, insistent and tender, a destiny that declared itself before I could even name it. I remember with fond clarity my first mystery stories—simple tales of a group of schoolchildren and their faithful dog unraveling puzzles in deserted castles or in the familiar corners of their neighborhood. They were inspired by the youth adventure books I so loved to read, but they carried the mark of my own imagination. I was only eight when I dared to trace those first adventures on paper, shaping the characters, colouring their faces with the eyes of my soul.
At twelve, I asked my mother for a typewriter—there were no computers in those days. The “click-clack” of its keys became the music of my earliest literary dreams, sealing my decision to walk the path of a writer. Writing for me was never a pastime, never a fleeting hobby; it was the first whisper of a vocation, the first spark of a lifelong fire that continues to burn.
As I often reflect, “I wrote before I knew the weight of words — and still they carried me like wings.”
2- How has your study in Computational Linguistics and German Literature reflected on your cultural identity and your style of creative expression in the world's languages?
Those studies may sound very different from one another, but in truth, they came together beautifully. Computational linguistics taught me to see the hidden architecture of language, its mathematical elegance, while German literature revealed the soul of words—their poetry, their philosophy, their profound humanity – so close to their roots in Greek philosophy reflected also in the language structure. The fusion of the two shaped my educational and cultural identity: at once precise and imaginative, logical yet lyrical. It still defines the way I write and express myself in many languages, always searching for harmony between reason and inspiration.
But there is a deeper story behind this. After German Literature, I chose to major in Contrastive Linguistics. You see, ever since childhood I had carried two great loves: one for the mysteries of words, and another for the unknown—technology, science, space, quantum physics, the horizons of discovery. At that time, however, one had to choose a single path to enter university, and I chose linguistics. Yet life has its own ways of uniting what we imagine to be divided.
After completing my MA in Contrastive Linguistics, a door opened: an opportunity at the National University, Department of Linguistics, in collaboration with the National Technical University, Department of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Systems. It was there that my two passions finally met—language and technology—and from that moment onward, they have run side by side.
Since then, I often say I carry within these “two loves in one.” They do not compete; rather, they complete each other. Together they enrich every word I write, every project I undertake, and every cultural engagement I embrace.
3-. How did these experiences influence your intellectual and cultural perspective, as well as your international activities and engagements thereafter?
I had the privilege of working as a volunteer at the National Research Institute “Democritus”, in the Department of Microelectronics, where my task was to tag, register human natural language and prepare it for encoding into the machine. For me, it was a fascinating experience—to witness how something as deeply human as language could be translated into a system. At that time, the very idea of machines “understanding” human words was almost unthinkable to most people, yet I could sense that a new horizon was opening before us. That same period brought another defining milestone: the presentation of my paper (Irene Doura et al.) as part of the Greek team of four at the International Conference on Artificial Intelligence in 2004, held in the island of Samos, Greece. Sharing research in a field still emerging, was both humbling and inspiring.
Looking back, those years were profoundly eye-opening. They made me realize that science and human values must walk hand in hand—that progress without ethics is dangerous, while ethics without progress remains sterile. I felt vividly how quickly the world was transforming, how new possibilities were unfolding at breathtaking speed; in the words of ancient Greek Philosopher Heraclitus, “τα πάντα ῥεῖ”—“it all flows, it all shifts.” His ancient truth echo always in my mind for I we are witnessing the very flow of history as it turns toward a new era. All these experiences have shaped me deeply. They taught me never to fear progress, but to guide it; never to reject innovation, but to humanize it. They expanded my vision and prepared me for my later international cultural engagements.
4- You currently hold the position of Secretary-General of the Writers Capital International Foundation and Vice Chairperson of the Panorama International Arts Festival. What are your strategies for strengthening international relations and achieving joint cooperation in cultural, literary, and artistic projects and activities around the world?
As Secretary-General of the Writers Capital International Foundation since 2020 and Vice Chairperson of the Panorama International Arts Festival, my guiding principle has always been simple yet profound build bridges, following our motto “Bridging Cultures, Uniting Nations”. Dialogue, trust, and collaboration are at the heart of everything we do. The aim is to create platforms where writers, artists, and thinkers from every corner of the globe can share their voices—through anthologies, festivals, publications, and cultural programs that dissolve borders and unite us in common purpose.
The Writers Capital International Foundation, as you know, is more than an organization; it is a living movement. A non-profit, non-political, and non-religious foundation, WCIF seeks to bring writers, intellectuals and creators under one umbrella, offering them space for vivid expression and encouraging them to act as catalysts for peace, humanitarian values, and respect for nature. Our strategy therefore is twofold: to nurture the literary and artistic spirit of individuals, while simultaneously fostering a collective cultural consciousness that advances peace and harmony.
This is achieved through mentoring youth, encouraging free dialogue on issues of peace and non-violence, organizing international festivals, and supporting collaborations with academic institutions, libraries, and cultural bodies worldwide. By exchanging ideas with counterparts across continents, we broaden horizons and create opportunities for shared growth. In this way, every initiative becomes not just an event, but a step toward building a more compassionate and culturally aware world.
At this point, I cannot but express my heartfelt gratitude and deepest respect to our Hon’ble President, Founder and CEO of the Writers Capital International Foundation and Chairman of Panorama Festivals, Prof. Preeth Padmanabhan Nambiar, who entrusted me with these roles—roles that I consider not merely positions, but sacred trusts, carrying both profound value and responsibility. His vision, his dedication, and his tireless belief that “humanity thrives when art and culture are nurtured beyond borders” inspire us all. Under his leadership, WCIF and Panorama have become global beacons—reminding us that literature and art are not luxuries, but vital instruments for reinforcing humanitarian values, conserving our planet, and institutionalizing peace itself.
5- How would you describe the vision of the Panorama International Arts Festival? And what objectives does the festival seek to achieve internationally?
The Panorama International Arts Festival is, along with the award-winning Panorama International Literature Festival, one of the two signature programmes of the Writers Capital International Foundation. Inspired by hon’ble President, Founder and CEO of the Foundation as well as Chairman of the Panorama Festivals, Prof. Preeth Padmanabhan Nambiar, PIAF is much more than an event; it is, in truth, a living dialogue among cultures. Its vision is to celebrate diversity while affirming our shared humanity, to weave together the voices of emerging talents with those of established creators, and to let them stand side by side on the same stage of expression. In this way, Panorama fosters unity through art, showing us that while languages may differ, the human heart speaks universally.
Here, I must highlight the vision and dedication of President Nambiar, whose tireless work breathes life into Panorama and sustains its global mission. His leadership is the guiding light that transforms each season of our beloved festivals into a true movement for dialogue, cultural exchange, as well as social change —one that unites voices across continents and makes culture not a luxury, but a necessity for human existence.
Internationally, our objectives have always sought to place culture, literature, and humanitarian values at the forefront of global dialogue. Panorama aspires to create an environment where art becomes a universal language of peace, hope, and solidarity—where it nurtures respect for nature, strengthens humanitarian ideals, and inspires writers and artists to stand as torchbearers of compassion and harmony.
We do not view culture as an ornament, something to be admired from a distance. Rather, we believe, that culture must flow, must be lived, as it constitutes a necessity for human existence. Panorama embraces this flow, reminding the world that in times of division, it is art and literature that hold the power to reunite us, to heal us, and to guide us forward.
6- What message would you like to convey to your readers through your literary and cultural works and your participation in international activities?
“I walk the shore gathering seashells of truth, each one a word, a note, a lesson, each one a prayer.”
If there is one message I could give to readers, it would be this: art, literature, and education are not escapes—they are encounters, bridges between minds, hearts, and worlds. Through my works, cultural initiatives, and teaching, I seek to awaken dreams, cultivate empathy, and illuminate the beauty and wisdom that surround us.
I am passionate about knowledge, deeply sensitive and compassionate, a dreamer who delights in nature, the silence of the sea, and the joy of human connection. I am a tireless seeker of truth, light, and beauty, and a devoted advocate for humanity’s enduring values —equality, solidarity, brotherhood, justice, and peace.
Through words, colours, and ideas, I seek—within my capacity and through my role as a bridge across cultures, disciplines, and peoples—to weave paths and connections invisible to the eye, yet stronger than stone or steel. I hope that every litterateur, reader, student, and lover of art carries with them the profound sense of connection, insight, and inspiration that only learning, creativity, and reflection can awaken.
7- How do you perceive the impact of technology and artificial intelligence on the development of literary and artistic culture in the current era?
"Let technology light the path, but let the human heart lead the way."
Technology, and artificial intelligence in particular, is like fire: it can illuminate, inspire, and transform, or it can overwhelm and consume if wielded without care. In the contemporary world, it is already reshaping the landscapes of literature and art, offering creators tools that were once unimaginable. Writers can experiment with narrative structures, artists can explore new visual dimensions, and ideas can traverse borders instantly, reaching audiences across the globe. Yet, no matter how advanced, machines remain incapable of the subtle rhythms of human emotion—the laughter, sorrow, hope, and longing that pulse through every authentic work of art. AI can assist, suggest, and replicate patterns, but it cannot feel the heartbeat that gives poetry its resonance or the lived experience that infuses a painting with depth.
The challenge and opportunity of our time lie in achieving synergy: embracing the extraordinary possibilities that technology offers while ensuring that the human spirit remains at the center of creation.
8- How do you see the future of culture and the arts in Greece and worldwide today, and what trends do you expect will shape them in the coming years?
I believe the future of culture will be shaped by both globalization and digitalization, yet underpinned by a profound thirst for authenticity. In Greece, a land steeped in millennia of artistic and intellectual heritage, I see a renaissance emerging—one in which ancient wisdom and modern innovation converge, breathing new life into literature, visual arts, and performance. This is not a distant vision; I have witnessed it vividly through our programmes, where creativity flourishes and where artists and audiences alike are discovering novel ways to engage, reflect, and co-create.
Worldwide, I foresee the arts becoming increasingly hybrid, intercultural, and accessible. Boundaries between disciplines, traditions, and geographies will continue to blur, fostering dialogues that transcend borders and languages. At the Writers Capital International Foundation, through our unique programmes, we are committed to making this vision a reality—bringing people together under a single umbrella, nurturing creativity, and strengthening the bonds that unite us all while being advocates of Nature and the preservation of our planet.
Above all, however, the arts will persist as humanity’s conscience, a mirror reflecting our joys, our sorrows, and our collective aspirations. We experienced this more profoundly during the COVID era, when isolation threatened connection. Litterateurs and artists, often the most vulnerable to solitude, were especially grateful for the exposure and promotion that our Panorama festivals provided with them, ensuring their connection with each other across all continents. Through the digital platforms of the Writers Capital International Foundation, they were able to reach global audiences, participate in live dialogues, and feel part of a wider creative community that thanks to the vision and foresight of President Prof. Preeth Nambiar was more alive than ever before, even when physical closeness was impossible. That sustained, supported and inspired creators of all kinds even during those truly difficult times for the whole of mankind. Yet that is the benefit of technology, which our Foundation makes great and extensive use of in order to enable all these cultural exchanges on a global scale.
As George Seferis – one of the two Greece’s Nobel Laureates in Literature - once wrote, 'Wherever I travel, Greece wounds me.' Taking the thread from his quote, I would add: “Wherever culture flourishes, humanity heals.” The Muse is here for us always, proving she has never left our side, still offering us her gifts and leading the path for us to follow in the realm of art and culture. It is this vision and mission —of authenticity, dialogue, and the enduring power of creative expression—that we must carry into the years to come, nurturing the arts not only as a reflection of who we are but as a beacon of light guiding who we aspire and deserve to be.
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