A new festival celbrating the history of Crete and the cultures that defined it is introduced by the Municipality of Heraklion, titled "Crete, one history, five plus one cultures". The festivals aims to present the complex history of Crete through a number of events, including theatrical plays, speeches, traditional music concerts, art exhibitions and more. All events are free for the public.
Thursday August 27
Basilica of Agios Marcos (St. Marcus) – Time 20.00
Opening of the art exhibition "Only you, Erotokritos": an artistic dialogue inspired by Crete's most important epic poem, written by Vincenzo Cornaro, which will remain open throughout the festival.
Sunday August 30
Concert with Ross Daly, "lyrics from Erotokritos in new melodies" Time 20.30
Lyra: Ross Daly, Kelly Thoma
Lute: Antonis Xylouris, Yiorgos Stavrakakis
Percussion: Maritzia Katsouna
Vocals: Evgenia Toli – Damavoliti
Lyrics selection: Mitsos Stavrakakis
Tuesday September 1
Pedestrian streets, squares, central streets of the city – Time 19.00
"SINGING EROTOKRITOS"
A serenade in the streets of Heraklion
The Education & Culture Association "AETOGIANNIS", together with the horseback riding school "Ipposchesi", tour the city streets and squares singing Erotokritos. Erotokritos and Aretousa, the two protagonists of the epic poem, will lead the renaissance-themed parade on their horses!
Wednesday September 2
Open theater "Manos Hatzidakis" - Time 21.00
Classical Music concert, "from baroque to classicism"
Theodoros Kerkezos– Soprano and Alto Saxophone
Vanessa Kalkani – Soprano
Christos Papageorgiou – piano
Andreas Kerkezos – violin
Featuring works by Scarlatti, J. S. Bach, Albinoni, Vivaldi and more.
Monday September 7
Open theater "Nikos Kazantzakis" - Time 21.00
1st part: "MINOAN RITUAL" Dance performance
Choreography: Mary Mavraki
Costumes: Thomas Fanourakis
Music: Nikolaos Platonas
2nd part: Film screening: "The Secrets of the Labyrinth" (Nikos Dayandas)
Tuesday September 8
Lakkos Square - Time 21.00
A group of Cretan-Turks from Ayvalik recites Erotokritos and mantinades. The music group "RIZES" presents songs from Izmir and Crete. Asia Minor cuisine prepared by locals and Cretan-Turks, with the help of Thodoros Kalathakis (KAPPA FOODS).
Wednesday September 9
Basilica of Agios Marcos (St. Marcus) - Time 21.00
Concert of "Joyful polyphonic songs and dances of the Renaissance" by the Polyphonic group "Fragkiskos Leontaritis", dressed with Renaissance costumes.
Direction: Yiorgos Psaroudakis
Friday September 11
Agia Ekaterini square - Time 21.00
A night with arabic dances & music performed by Arab artists.
Wednesday September 16
Agios Titos temple (St. Titus) - Time 19.00
Byzantine & ecclesiastical music night
Performed by Byzantine choirs of Heraklion. Byzantine music professor Michalis Stroumpakis presents historical and other elements of the music of the Byzantine period.
Friday 18, Saturday 19 & Sunday 20 September
Municipal beach of Karteros "Akti"
Sculpture festival on the sand titled: "The Sand of Time", inspired by the Minoan civilization. Artistic director: Yiannis Tsiggenis.
Parallel events
Tuesday September 8
Open theater "GATE OF BETHLEHEM" - Time 21.00
A music night by «JAZOO», performing JAZZ compositions.
Piano: EMILY ROUMELI
Contrabass: YIANNIS KAPETANAKIS
Drums: POLIDORAS FRANTSESKAKIS
Saxophone: MICHALIS LABRAKIS