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STORIES AND LIFE ON CRETE
All over the island you will come across streets and squares, named after
one of Cretes greatest sons, Eleftherios Venizelos (1864-1936). Born in
the village of Mournies near Chania, he was in the resistance movement
against the Turks. In 1910 he became Greece,s prime minister and during
his term of office Crete finally became a part of Greece.
Why the women wear black?
Traditionally the women wore black clothing as a sign of mourning, they
wore black for three years after the funeral.Because of centuries with
foriegn oppressors on Crete, death came all to quickly and the mourning
period seemed continous, that today black has become a national colour.
Keep it in the family.
It is normal for three generations to live under the same roof, helping
and caring for each other.If one brother is a taxi driver and drives you
to his brothers taverna it is not nepotism, but a way of the Cretan family
lifestyle.The generation gap is a unknown saying on Crete, youngsters
sit and talk with their elders, they learn the stories of their forefathers
and keep the Cretan spirit alive.
Guest and Stranger
The Greek word “xenoi” has a double meaning; it can mean stranger
and guest. Therefore a stranger is always a guest in ones country or home,
you can be suddenly surprised over this generosity, and they can offer
you a drink or a meal with the family. It is hard to return this generosity
as the Greeks love to give; just a simple thank you is all you can say.
Thank you in Greek is “Eftharisto”
The “kafenion” (cafe)
The cafe to the Greeks is what a pub is to Englishman, a meeting place
where the men come to drink coffee and maybe a brandy and play backgammon;
they also discuss politics or just have a good gossip. Greek women rarely
go to these cafes but tourists are welcome.
Volta (The Evening walk)
The Volta has been adopted from the Ventians and is a occassion where
all the family despite their age, walk around the village square or along
the promanade and stop to talk to their friends and neighbours.The young
men and women exchange gossip and flirt with each other.It is a time to
see and be seen.
Feasts and Public Holidays
January 6th.
The feast for the three Three Holy Kings and the blessing of the seas,
celebrated in the harbours around the island.
March 25th
Public holiday in remberance of the resistance against the Turks in 1821.
A carnival is held in many places around the island to celebrate that
it is 40 days to Easter.
April 23rd
The feast for St.Georg, the Patron Saint of the sheperds, large feasts
in the villages.
Easter
The dates vary and do not coincide with ours.Easter is the time for the
largest feast in the Greek Orthodox religion. Widespread celebrations
around the island.
May 1st
International workers day. A time to take a picnic and go out into the
country.
May 20th.
Feast for the Saints Konstnin and Helena, celebrated in churches and monastrys
named after them, the largest celebration is held at Moni Arkadiou.
June 24th
The feast for St.john the Baptist.
Late in June the Marine Week is held mainly in the Souda bay.
Summer
The Arts Festival is held in Heraklion throughout the summer months,from
July to the middle of August there is a culture festival (Kornaria) held
in Sitia. In August and September a International reneassance festival,
with drama and music in Rethymnon.
July
Late in July the Rethymnon wine festival is held, two weeks of wine tasting
with music and dancing.
August 6th
Metamorphosis consists of church services and feasts, mainly at Voukplies
near Chania, Males and Zakros.
August 15th
Public holiday for Marias accension.
August 25th
Feast for Agios Titos, Cretes Patron Saint. Celebrated all over the island.
Middle of August.
The Sitia raisin festival is celebrated for the whole week, the celebrations
are not just for the raisin but the grape and the wine distilled fom it.
Lots of parties.
Late in August.
A traditional Cretan wedding is helded in Kritsa and all visitors are
welcome.
Also in the Fort at Sitia on the night of the last full moon, there is
an evening of culture.
September 14th.
The feast for Agios Stavros which is celebrated in the villages around
Chania.
October.
In the middle of October the Chestnut feast is celebrated in Western Crete.
October 28th.
Ochi Day is celebrated in remberance of the Greek General Metaxas, who
gave a resounding “Ochi” (No) to Mussolinis request to allow
Italian troops into Greece in 1940.
November 7th. – 9th.
Remembers the women and children who died in the explosion at the Arkadi
Monastry in 1866.
November 21st.
Local holy day in remberance of Gods mother, church service in the cathedral
of Chaniá.
December 6th.
Feast for Agios Nikolaos Patron Saint of sailors, celebrated in the town
of Agios Nikolaos and other villages with the same name.