Antigone Kefala: of journeys, songs and stories

This chapter seeks to explore diasporic connection and tension in Antigone Kefala’s literary output. It draws attention to the propensity of her poetry and prose to radiate a complex collective image of post-war immigrant women’s experiences that permeates through the shadows of preconceived notions and stereotypes. That Kefala herself was conscious of all that this entails is evident throughout her writing, drawing attention to this imperative. Furthermore, a consideration within postcolonial theoretical frameworks – ably augmented by feminist revisionist perspectives – will frame a discussion around societal signposts and personal narratives. And finally, ever-mindful of the salience of Sneja Gunew’s stance on the imperative of the critic declaring her/his position, I draw attention to the fact that I am a second-generation daughter of post-war immigrant parents. I am not a detached observer when engaging with ‘multicultural’ literature and related debates, but an active interlocutor. How could it be otherwise?