The vision of the Stegi Vitsentzos Kornaros, according to its statute, is: “To re-establish Erotokritos as a core element of modern education, as it was for centuries.” Within this framework, the student competition “Vitsentzos Kornaros” is organized. This initiative aims to welcome first-year students of the Department of Nutritional Science & Dietetics of the Hellenic Mediterranean University in Sitia and to introduce them to the cultural heritage of the region, as well as to Erotokritos by Vitsentzos Kornaros, a masterpiece of the Cretan Renaissance and one of the most important works of modern Greek literature.

Description of the process:
In mid-November, first-year students of the department are invited to a ceremony at the Stegi Vitsentzos Kornaros, where they attend an introductory presentation on Erotokritos by philologist Sofia Foustéri, in order to better understand the work. Afterwards, they receive a copy of Erotokritos and are informed about the competition. Students are then given six months to study the text. In June of the following year, they participate in a written competition with questions related to the life of Vitsentzos Kornaros and his work Erotokritos. The top three students receive awards, accompanied by the following monetary prizes:

• 1st Prize – €300
• 2nd Prize – €200
• 3rd Prize – €100

Competition Coordinators:
Maria Christiana Passou – Philologist (PE02), PhD, MEd
Angeliki Christaki – English Teacher (PE06), MEd, Principal of Palaikastro High School