The Kourites, the Idaeic Dactylics, Amalthia, the Bees, Nymphs und Demons, good and bad ghosts, Minos, Radamanthis,  Epimenides, Pythagoras, Plato, Euripides and many others have shaped the myths and history of the region. The leading figure is the Cretan born Zeus, the yearly dying and reborn God.

Today’s culture and civilization of the region, be it language, music, dance, religion, architecture or traditional custom is shaped by the archetype culture forms of the last 4000 years.

This year’s events of the Yakinthia festival have as main goal to show the countless ties of Yesterday with Today in its uninterrupted continuity.

Monday, July 2nd:
Evening prayers in the chapel St. Yakinthos 

Tuesday, July 3rd:
Matins in the chapel St. Yakinthos to honor his name day

Thursday, July 5th:
Meidani Square 21:30 h:
Introductory speech by Professor Orestis Manoussos
Films show MYTHS OF IDA by Lefteris Haronitis at the  Presentation by Renos Haralampidis

Musical event in the same place at 23:00 h:
Psarantonis presents his work “Rizitika” to the public for the first time.

Friday, July 6th:
Music and Theater event
In the place “Kouradovrissi” near the chapel St. Yakinthos the main event of the Yakinthia festival will take place at 20:00 h.
To the ancient rhythms of drums the actor Giannis Phertis will recite Homer and other ancient poets.
Shepherds will perform the old warriers' dance. 

The actors Marianna Polychronidi and Konstantinos Lakhos will present the DIALOGS OF THE GODS OF THE OLYMPUS by Loukianos.

The musical program will be conducted by Nikiforos Aerakis, Michalis Kallergis and Vassilis Stavrakakis.

Dancers from all Crete and troubadors with their mantinades will reach the stars of Cretan culture and civilization.

During the event tea of the mountains and dry bread will be served to the spectators.

“ZEUS IN HISTORY AND MYTH”

11:00 - 15:00 h at the conference center of the National Youth Foundation in Anogia,
Opening words by the rector of the University of Crete, Christos Nikolaos

Participants:

22:00 h at the St.Yakinthos chapel:
Director Philippas Koutsaftis, creator of the film THE ROCK OF WISDOM will present and show his film. 

The film directors Alexis Damianos, Giannis Smaragdis and Dimos Avdeliodis will be present as well as the actors Giannis Phertis, Dina Konsta, Themis Basaka, Maria Tsoupanaki, Minas Hatzisavvas, Renos Haralampidis and Giota Phesta.

24:00 h:  a supper with “antique Cretan cuisine” will be served at the “MITATO” of Kouroupi conducted by Maria Frangaki.

From June 30th to July 8th 
the following exhibitions are open to the public:

1.) Exhibition of replicas of archeological projects at the Meidani Square conducted by the archeologist Thomis Savvopoulou,

2.) Exhibition of pottery art by Georgos Dalamvelas and Mariniki Mania from the village of Margarites, who still work with Minoan techniques, and exhibition of traditional baking forms by women from Anogia at the St. Yakinthos chapel conducted by Agapi-Skoula Psistaki.

3.) Exhibition of weaving art with rare woven goods by Eleni Ximeri from Anogia at the St. Yakinthos chapel.

THE ADMISSION TO ALL EVENTS IS FREE!

The Head of Zeus is a work of the sculptor Nikolas Zambonis, professor for graphic arts at the University of Bologna, Italy (1.60 x 1.10)