Circumstance brought the two men together. They met on Mount Athos, where Kazantzakis realized the drive and abilities of Giorgos Zorbas and made him a chief worker when he acquired the Prastova mines, near Stoupa. At the beach of Kalogria, where they were staying, they were given the opportunity to get to know each other well and to bond through a strong friendship that lasted until death. When the writer learned about his friend's death in 1941, he wrote the novel "Zorba the Greek" in Aegina. Although 25 years have passed since the adventure in Mani, it is evident in the book that Kazantzakis was carrying the living memories he had acquired in that place.