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Traditional

The traditional feasts of 15 August 2019 in Crete

14 Aug 2019

14.08 till 16.08

Heraklion, Rethymno, Chania & Lassithi

The traditional feasts of 15 August 2019 in Crete

August is the month of vacations and carelessness. In Crete ,the days around 15 August are also synonymous to traditional festivals. 

Almost every village in the island hosts a traditional feast at its school courtyard or at its central square. Local cultural associations do their best to create the region's most celebrated feast, traditional dishes and souvlaki are served, raki and local wine have their own special place at the feast. The reason of the celebration is most of the times religious (Dormition of Virgin Mary), but in some cases, a local product (eg graviera cheese) is honored, taking a central place in the feast’s menu. Explore the Cretan villages through this list of local festivals, try to dance the Cretan dances, and have loads of fun! And remember… don’t drink raki and drive!

Wednesday 14 August

Maronia of Sitia (Lasithi Prefecture) – Cretan Feast 

Maronias Cultural Association "Pantelis" organizes its established festival at the school. Alexandros Papadakis band will entertain us!

Neapoli (Lasithi Prefecture) - Cretan feast

One of the biggest traditional feasts that take place every summer in Crete is the two-day celebration of Panagia in Neapoli Lasithiou. It attracts renowned Cretan and folk music artists and thousands of visitors each year. The celebration is dedicated to the Cathedral of the Assumption, which stands imposing on the north end of the main square. The Cretan band of Antonis Charitakis will appear on Wednesday night.

Avdou (Heraklion Prefecture) - Cretan feast with Psarantonis, Psarogiorgis, Stelios Petrakis et al.

The Avdou Cultural Association invites you to the Cretan feast on Wednesday, August 14, at the old Avdou Elementary School. Traditional music by Psarantonis, Psarogiannis, Psarogiorgis, Stelios Petrakis, Dimitris Sideris and Andreas Arvanitis. Free entrance. Start time: 9pm

Loutraki (Chania Prefecture) - Traditional festival

Loutraki Cultural Association organizes a traditional feast for the Dormition of Virgin Mary. Music by Nikos Zoidakis and his band. Tel. 697 825 0866.

Tsikalaria (Chania Prefecture) - Traditional festival

The Cultural Association of Tsikalari "The Tsikalaria" is organizing a festival on the eve of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, Wednesday, August 14, at the Elementary School of Tsikalaria. Music by the “Pandermakia” band. Start time: 21:00, tel. 694 747 3709

 

Thursday August 15th

Sitia Paraspori (Lasithi Prefecture) - Day traditional festival

The Sitia Paros Cultural Association organizes the daily Traditional Festival every August 15 in Kato Vrissi since 2010.

The event is an attempt to revive the old feast of Panagia Riza that took place in the region of Kares and brought together crowds of people and musicians from all over Sitia. The festival is attended exclusively by local folk artists, essentially turning the festival into a "festival" of traditional music! Main band: Manolis Metzakis (lyre), Yiannis Protogerakis (violin), Nikos Metzakis (guitar), Despina Aspras (mandolin), Stelios Koxarakis (mandolin), Dimitris Chatzakis (lug). Entry price: 12 € (includes full menu + tsikoudia drink) Start time: 12:30. From 11:00 am to 22:00.

Tourloti Sitia (Lasithi Prefecture) – Traditional feast

At our annual festival we will be entertained by Dimitris Bettinis (lyre) along with Chrysanthos Markakis (mandolin) and the rest of the band. Start time 9:00 pm. Entry €5. At the central square of Tourloti.

Lastros Sitia (Lasithi Prefecture) - Traditional feast

Cretan folk music program with Vangelis Vardakis and Kostis Avyssinos. Entry 5€. Time: 21:00 at the Carava Lastros.

Sitanos Sitia (Lasithi Prefecture) - Revival of the traditional feast

Traditional appetizers prepared by the women of the village. Traditional roast made in the wood ovens. Music by the band of Stefanos Mesaritakis. Entry price 15€. Start time 9pm.

Armeni of Sitia (Lasithi Prefecture) - Traditional festival

The band of Vangelis Pytharoulis - Michalis Griniezakis will entertain us. Entry price 13 € (full menu).

Pachia Ammos Ierapetra (Lasithi Prefecture) - Cretan Glendale

Cretan feast with Manolis Papadakis music band at the Fish Shelter (Damari) in Pachia Ammos Ierapetra. Start time: 21.30

Stavrochori Ierapetra (Lasithi Prefecture) - Traditional Cretan feast

Traditional Cretan feast with the music band of Yiannis Fotakis at the Stavrochori Elementary School in Ierapetra. Entry price €12 (full menu).

Agios Ioannis Ierapetra (Prefecture of Lasithi) - Daily Feast

Day festival with a Cretan music program under the plane trees at the magnificent Agios Ioannis village.

Fourni (Lasithi Prefecture) – 15 August Feast

 Cretan - Folk feast with Nikos & Dimitris Grigorakis & Nikos Moudatsos band at the backyard of Kastelli Fourni Elementary School.

Choudetsi (Heraklion Prefecture) - August 15 with Vassilis Stavrakakis

August 15th Feast in Houdetsi with: Vassilis Stavrakakis, George Manolakis, Iakovos Pateraki, Antonis Stavrakakis, Yiannis Robogiannakis.

Zoniana (Rethymno Prefecture) - 11th Shepherd-Cheese Festival

Presentation of the largest cheese in the world. Traditional music: Lyra: Thanasis Mavrokostas, Haris Nikiforos, Tasos Nikiforos, Giorgis Parasiris, Nikos Ploumis, Nikos Kavvalos. Dance: Tayori Club - Stelios Patellaros, Thanasis Mavrokosta Band. Start time: 18:00

Pantanassa Amariou (Prefecture of Rethymno) – Traditional festival

August 15th festival with George Alexandonakis and his band at Pantanassa Amariou.

Coxare Ag. Vassiliou (Rethymno Prefecture) – Traditional festival with Psarogiorgis

Giorgis Xylouris (Psarogiorgis) at a festival organized by the Koxare Cultural Association of the Municipality of Agios Vasilios. Nikos Xylouris - lyre, Antonis Xylouris - lute and Giannis Papatzanis - percussion. Starting at 22:00, Entry price 15 €.

Anopolis of Sfakia (Chania Prefecture) – Graviera Festival

The Anopolis Sfakia Cultural Association is organizing a Graviera Festival on Thursday, August 15, 2019 at Anopolis Square. Start time: 21:00 

 

Friday, August 16

Agios Stefanos Ierapetra (Lasithi Prefecture) - Traditional feast

Traditional Cretan feast with Manolis Stefanakis’ band in the village of Agios Stefanos Ierapetra. Start time: 21:30

Temenia (Chania Prefecture) - 1st Thermal Springs Festival

The Temeni Cultural Association invites you to the 1st Thermal Springs Celebration held on Friday, August 16, at the former Temeni Primary School. Traditional music by Nikos Karkanis with Timoleon Savvakis (lute), Nikos Papadogiannis (lute), Aleko Kapridaki (mandolin - ascomantura), Yiannis Karakatsani (percussion). Entry price: 10 euros with full menu. Reservations: 6981170551

Chora Sfakion (Chania Prefecture) - Sfakian Pie Festival

The Cultural Association of Chora Sfakion is organizing the Sfakian Pie Festival on Friday, August 16, 2019, at the new port of Chora Sfakion. Magellakis Giorgos band will entertain us. Start time: 20:00.