Shakespeare, Cervantes, Galileo, El Greco and Kornaros are known to almost everyone. But how common is the knowledge that they, and more like them, were contemporaries and they all belong to the same invigorating current that influenced literature, the sciences and art which was called the Renaissance? And how many know that El Greco and Kornaros are both sons of the Cretan Renaissance, which brought its own special brush stroke to that period of cultural acme in Europe?

David Holton, one of the most distinguished scholars who study the particular period, mentioned during a convention in Sitia in 2009 that the Cretan Renaissance was “an admirable marriage of the local and the Italian culture” which “has not so far been given the international credit it deserves”. Roderick Beaton characterizes Kornaros as “a pioneer predecessor of the modern novel” and earlier, in 1946, Giorgos Seferis praised Kornaros and the language in Erotokritos as “the most perfectly organized language that the medieval and modern Hellenism has heard”.

But how was Kornaros’ life in 1553-1613/14? How was life in Sitia and in Crete during that period? What books did the poet read and what influences did he have? How did he manage to create such a remarkable work, which was recognized by scholars and, most importantly, was adopted by the people for centuries as a formative part of life?

It is in Stegi Vitsentzos Kornaros’ field of interest to be engaged in these questions, as it is intended to become a creative, cultural and recreational centre, aspiring to lift Sitia to a higher position on today’s cultural map of Europe.

Stegi also wishes that the following generations to be able to enjoy the qualities of Erotokritos and to embrace its ideas.

To be able to think freely, exempt from any prejudice:
And if the ghosts of our dreams had such power,
what is free will in men and knowledge worth?

To be able to speak properly:
He who knows how to speak with knowledge and manners,
makes peoples’ eyes laugh and cry.

To be able to struggle properly:
For he who pursues his passion without conspiracy,
Will at first suffer but will have a good outcome.