The Pancretan Association of Melbourne is continuing to invest and develop its youth members with another trip to Greece and tour of the island of Crete.
Over 20 members will be given the opportunity to experience the joys of their grandparent’s homeland from 1-10 August.
The purpose of the tour is to promote and maintain the tight ties that Australia and Crete share for future generations. It is also an opportunity for the participants to tour Crete and Greece – some of them for the first time – and while there learn and immerse themselves in the culture, which for many has been a lifelong dream.
The Pancretan Dance Group will represent and showcase the traditional dances of Crete at various well recognised festivals and events on the island, including Βαρδινογάννεια Festival in Iraklio; Music Concert with over 30 artists in Αρμένους Αποκορώνου; a tribute night dedicated to the Cretans of Australia and America in the village of Aγιά Hanion; a Kantada in Rethymno; a Dance Festival in Iraklio, the Χορευτικός Όμιλος Χανίων «Ο ΨΗΛΟΡΕΙΤΗΣ« in Chania; a tribute night in the village of Ασή Γωνιά; as well as a historic tour.
The trip will also include visits to several ANZAC plaques funded by the Pancretan Association of Melbourne, situated at the villages of Koustogerako, Skines and Adele.
The youth members will have the opportunity to take part in dance and music workshops, and visit historic parts of Crete such as the Knossos ruins, the Arkadi Monastery, the Australian Hellenic Memorial, the 42nd Street, the Naval Museum in Chania, the Battle of Crete Museum in Rethymno, as well as visit and pay their respects at the resting places of the great Eleftherios Venizelos and NikosKazantzakis.
The Pancretan Dance Group will also take part in the 9th International Convention of the World Council of Cretans in Iraklio from 1-4 August, 2019 hosted by the Παγκόσμιο Συμβούλιο Κρητών.