Potis Psaltiras–Poet
Potis Psaltiras was born in 1894 in Gaitses in Mani. He studied at the Kalamata High School and then Law at the University of Athens. He interrupted his studies to serve his country in World War I, and when he returned to Kalamata, he continued the family tradition with the pastry shop located on the 23rd of March Square.
In August 1912, he published his own magazine "Spitha" and was an editor of the newspapers "Simaia" and "Nea". In 1928, Potis Psaltiras began to write sketch poems. "Schematic or calligraphic are the poems that are written in such a way that the verses form a graphic representation, a specific image." (M.H. Abrams, "Dictionary of Literary Terms", 1999). He published poems and philological theses in various magazines ("Numas", "Kalamatiano Imerologio", "Messiniako Etos", "Nea Estia" etc.) and newspapers ("Simaia", "Ta Nea").
Potis Psaltiras wrote many poetry collections, among which the following stand out: "Stars or Fireflies" (1928), "The Secret Voice" (1929), "Shapes" (1928), "TECUM HABITA" (1930), etc. As a poet, he stands out for the exciting musicality of his verse and the expressive originality of his poetic language. In his work, "the silhouette of Kalamata, adorned with lemon blossoms and emerald sea waves, is clearly visible." (Magazine "Ithomi", 1974, pp. 20-21). Also, in 1939, he published a monograph on the poet and prose writer Yiannis Kampysis. Potis Psaltiras died in Kalamata in 1946, aged just 52.