Hydra's Literary Legends

What makes a 'Leonard Cohen Writing Retreat'?

Leonard Cohen found his writer's voice on Hydra, now you too are invited to come and rejoice as you reclaim yours - as Leonard sang "Ring the bells that still can ring! Joanne Fedler has harnessed a lifelong fascination with Leonard Cohen's lyrics into a five-day writing retreat on the island of Hydra. During the workshops, you will take up the invitations in his language to break our old patterns, experiment with things unkempt with wildness and search for our own secret ch

Mar 195 min read

5 adults walking on a mediterranean port in the 19502. A woman is wearing cats eye sunglasses

How Mungo Came to Hydra

Charmian Clift and George Johnston developed a considerable reputation on Hydra for their hospitality. As a result newcomers to the island—whether they were passing through or looking for a place to stay—were often directed to the established Australian couple. This could be tiring and distracting, but as Clift later conceded she and Johnston nonetheless felt the need “to preserve a reputation for hospitality of which we were proud”.

Oct 16, 20253 min read

A group of seven people in vintage clothing stand together, smiling in a crowded stone amphitheater. The image is black and white.

Half the Perfect World: Classical Greek Theatre at Epidaurus

Charmian Clift and George Johnston became devotees of the Epidaurus Festival soon after arriving on Hydra in 1955.

Mar 16, 20254 min read

Black and White photograph of tourists in swimwear on a Greek island mid 2oth century

Half the Perfect World: Tourism and Expatriation

The desire for a life lived authentically in an ‘unspoilt’ Mediterranean pocket is ingrained in contemporary travel literature and dreams.

Mar 3, 20255 min read

people sitting at small tables outside a Greek taverna black and white photograph in the mid century

Half the Perfect World: Socialising at Katsikas

There was no shortage of venues for Hydra’s expatriates to gather for socialising, drinking, gossiping, arguing and flirting...

Feb 14, 20255 min read

black and white photograph of a man looking directly at the camera in a close-up shot looking pensive

Leonard Cohen on Hydra

When Leonard Cohen recalled his Greek Island home of Hydra it was with a sense of its romantic and erotic promise ...

Jan 23, 20255 min read

a black and white photograph of a woman looking directly at the camera with a pensive expression

The Charismatic, Enigmatic Charmian Clift: A Writer Who Lived the Dream and Suffered its Consequences

Jan 19, 20256 min read