A new form of cultural tourism inspired by the life and work of Australian writer Charmian Clift is attracting admirers of her work to Kalymnos.
Author and biographer Nadia Wheatley has created a unique writing workshop centred on Clift’s Kalymnos, inviting readers and aspiring writers to explore the island that helped shape one of Australia’s most celebrated literary voices. Clift lived on Kalymnos during the 1950s, seeking both a different way of life and her authentic literary voice. She found it in the pages of Mermaid Singing, her acclaimed memoir of life on the island, which has also been translated into Greek. The book offers a fascinating outsider’s perspective on Kalymnian society, customs and daily life, while revealing how deeply the island influenced Clift’s development as a writer. Ironically, at a time when many Kalymnians were emigrating to Australia in search of a better future, Clift herself was trying to escape the constraints of Australian society.
The workshop is based at Villa Melina, a beautifully restored mansion in the heart of Pothia. Participants visit the house where Clift lived, as well as many of the landmarks and locations celebrated in her books. Kalymnos Times had the opportunity to speak with both the organiser and the participants, who described the experience as transformative and expressed their admiration for the people and culture of Kalymnos.
The program, “Charmian Clift’s Kalymnos: A Workshop for Readers & Writers,” took place under the guidance of Nadia Wheatley, Clift’s award-winning biographer.
Participants discovered Kalymnos through Clift’s eyes, exploring the landscapes, traditions and communities that inspired her books Mermaid Singing and Honour’s Mimic. The program combined literary discussions, visits to historical and cultural sites, guided walks, swimming excursions and daily creative writing workshops. Writing produced during the workshop was published on the workshop journal: https://www.charmianclift.com.au/kalymnos-workshop-journal and https://open.substack.com/pub/nadiawheatley/p/looking-for-a-mermaid-the-kalymnos?r=36vfxv&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email
Highlights included visits to:
- The famous “Yellow House” where Clift lived;
- Traditional sponge-diving facilities and museums;
- Chora and its medieval castle;
- Vathy, Emporios, Arginonta and other parts of Kalymnos;
- Archaeological, maritime and folklore museums.
The workshop welcomed both experienced writers and complete beginners. Through observational journaling, discussion and creative writing exercises, participants developed their own writing voice while immersing themselves in the history and culture of the island.
Accommodation was provided for nine nights at the family-run Villa Melina in Pothia. The participation fee was AUD 5,950 per person sharing a twin room, with a single-room supplement of AUD 495. The price included accommodation, meals, ferry transfers, local transportation, guided excursions, workshops and educational materials.
For lovers of literature, history and authentic cultural experiences, the workshop offers a rare opportunity to discover not only Charmian Clift’s Kalymnos, but perhaps, as Clift herself once hoped, to find a “mermaid” of their own.
