Alexandra Skaraki

Eleni Karagiannis is a child psychiatrist, existential systemic psychotherapist, trainer and supervisor of psychotherapists, director of the therapeutic and educational Institute "Antistixis"

Eleni Karagianni is a child psychiatrist, existential systemic psychotherapist, trainer and supervisor of psychotherapists, director of the therapeutic and educational Institute "Antistixis". Her book "Right to Paradise" (published by Armos) includes short stories where psychology meets literature. These are human stories that pose existential questions, as the heroes grapple with the meaning of life, loneliness, imperfection, inner conflicts, and the desire to authentically meet others.

What books do you have by your bed these days?

Rekalkati's book "With an open book", Kazantzakis' "Reference to Greco" and Elytis' "Answers", which are never missing.

Which literary hero/heroine would you like to be and why?

Every heroine who saw far and created ahead of her time. Every girl dreamed, even if there was only a small crack open, just big enough to fit a star! Every woman who won love and romance.

You are hosting a dinner party. Which poets or writers do you call, living and dying?

Hugo, Shakespeare, Elytis, Esse, Dostoyevsky, Brodet, Agatha Christie... and I would enjoy the way they would communicate with each other!

What was the most interesting thing you learned recently from reading a book?

Reading "Humanity" by Bregman, I learned that humanity is marching for the better!

What classic book did you recently read for the first time?

I appreciated and admired the diary of Marcus Aurelius.

And what is the book you have read the most?

Cronin's "Castle," a teenage favorite for the inspiration offered by the face of a humanitarian doctor.

How did the title of the book come about?

My work has given me the precious gift of accompanying people on the path of self-awareness. As they unfold their authentic selves and struggle to save their interpersonal relationships, I realize that there is no individual heaven. Heaven is the people, provided we give up the fantasy of a paradise that is free, that has no trouble, that has no personal responsibility.

What does paradise mean to you?

The heaven of interpersonal relationships is very important to me.

How will we manage to understand each other?

To realize that the questions others ask in life concern us, as do the answers they give. Let's be interested in learning their story. To approach them with an open mind and heart.