Fasga

Plot

Loris, an atheist doctor and playwright, has an illicit relationship with a femme fatale named Eleni, who is his assistant. Following a heated clash with his wife Maria, he abandons his family and leaves with his mistress. A few years later, as a successful playwright, he is living with Eleni and their adopted daughter; he has won fame but is not happy. Maria visits him to ask for his help with their sick child, but he drives her away. Some time later we find him in decline, entertaining himself in a cabaret all alone, having been abandoned by Eleni. Driven half insane by remorse, he breathes his last in the arms of his ex-wife.

Writing history

Written in Athens in 1907. Fasga (Pisgah) is the name of the mountaintop on which Moses died. Kazantzakis entered the play in the Pantelidis drama contest in 1908.

Greek editions

• Fasga, Act III, Pinakothiki 7 (November 1907) 165-168
• The above excerpt was republished by G. Katsimbalis in "The unknown Kazantzakis", Nea Estia, vol. 63, issue 743 (15.6.1958) 902-905
• Published in its entirety by D. G. Gounelas, "An introduction to Kazantzakis' three one-act plays. Fasga, a drama in three acts", Nea Estia, vol. 102, Kazantzakis Issue, issue 1211 (Christmas 1977) 236-256

Television broadcast

• Fasga, Greek Radio and Television (ERT1), September 1994 (Nikos Kazantzakis Museum archive)