“Sitia and Kornaros”

The great Renaissance poet Vitsentzos Kornaros was born in Sitia n March 1553. He was a contemporary of Shakespeare and Cervantes, and thanks to the numerous qualities of his masterpiece Erotokritos, he contributed significantly to the blooming of the Neo-Hellenic, as well as of the European Intellect. Erotokritos has been an important object of research and study amongst philologists and philosophers and a cultural “Gospel” which nurtured the Greek people, not only of Greece, but also of the Diaspora.

With a glorious ceremony, organised by the Municipality of Sitia and Stegi VITSENTZOS KORNAROS, to be held on 30 March 2024 at the Polykentron (7pm), Sitia will honour Vitsentzos Kornaros, and also proclaim Professor Stephanos Kaklamanis, a devoted researcher of the Cretan Renaissance, an Honorary Citizen of Sitia.

Well-known writers and other public figures of Literature, Theatre and the Arts will participate in the event, sharing their own experience of the poem of Erotokritos.

Ceremony Programme:

• Opening at 7pm.
• Live Erotokritos music, performed by the renowned violin player Kyriarkos Gouventas.
• Opening Speeches.
• Live Erotokritos music, Kyriakos Gouventas.
• Announcement by Ms Maria Giannakaki, President of the City Council of Sitia, of its decision to proclaim Mr Stephanos Kaklamanis an Honorary Citizen of Sitia.
• Speech by Mr Kaklamanis (20 minutes).
• Live Erotokritos music, Kyriakos Gouventas.
• Keynote Speakers – “My Own Erotokritos”:

– Rea Galanaki

– Dimitris Daskalopoulos
-Eirini Dermitzaki
– Alexis Panselinos
– Niki Troulinou
– Nikos Psilakis
– Manolis Miaoudakis

• Live Erotokritos music, Kyriakos Gouventas.

• The speeches will be published by Stegi VITSENTZOS KORNAROS in due time.
• Event duration: approximately 2 hours.