Τhe ‘Orthodox saint of love’ Agios Yakinthos was the source of inspiration for the annual festival of “Yakinthia”, one of the most popular summer festivals of Crete. The festival takes place at the last week of July every year at the same place: the picturesque stone-made amphitheatre up the mountain of Psiloritis, a UNESCO geopark a few kilometers from the village of Anogia, with the wild Cretan landscape and the starry sky as its background.
In the same area the small chapel of Agios Yakinthos was built in the shape of a traditional Cretan shepherd’s hut, called mitato: a circular building with a dome made of flat stones whose design was inspired by Late Minoan architecture. The festival has a different theme every year and focuses on the traditions and culture of Crete and other Mediterranean cultures, including tributes to great Greek artists, with the participation of Greek and foreign groups and artists.
WHEAT, THE MILK OF THE EARTH
Anogia, July 27-31
This year Yakinthia festival honors wheat, the source of our civilization, and present a market-exhibit of its by-products. Bread, Cretan rusks, traditional cookies, wheat porridge and other wheat-based products of the Cretan cuisine.
Program
Thursday, July 28, Agios Yakinthos theater, time 21.30
Cristina Branco
A unique performance by the famous Fado singer from Portugal.
Eleni and Suzana Vougioukli will complete the evening with songs of the Mediterannean.
A musical parade in the streets of Anogia by the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Municipality of Heraklion. Time: 19.30.
Friday, July 29, Agios Yakinthos theater, time 21.30
"Cries and whispers"
A concert with Psarantonis & Loudovikos of Anogia
Saturday, July 30, Agios Yakinthos theater, time 21.30
MD’s QUARTET
The lyrical music group from Italy presents a melodic performance.
The company of Yakinthos
in their natural habitat!
Sunday, July 31, Meintani square, Anogia, time 21.30
From the earth to the moon
An animated film by Aggelos Spartalis, based on the homonym book of Jules Verne.
Songs of Dionisis Savopoulos and Psarantonis.
Art installation in Agios Yakinthos by Dimitra Sokratous, titled "The baby-dough"