The proceedings of the 6th Congress of the World Council of Cretans, held in the region of Lasithi, took place over three days from July 19 to 21.
This congress, which convenes every three years in a different city in Crete, brings together all Cretans, both from Crete and from the diaspora worldwide, fostering and revitalising their connections with each other and with Crete itself. This year, the Cretans of the World commemorated the 20th anniversary of the founding of the World Council of Cretans in 2003 in Rethymno—a highly significant milestone in the course of their collective efforts.
The opening of the conference was declared by Stavros Arnaoutakis, the Regional Governor of Crete, in the presence of His Eminence Metropolitan Myron of New Zealand and the General Secretary of the World Council of Cretans, Ioannis Chrysoulakis. Also in attendance were the Vice Regional Governor of Lasithi, Giannis Androulakis, and the mayors of Agios Nikolaos, Zervou, Oropedio Lasithiou, and Sitia. The main speech was delivered by Nektarios Tavernarakis, the President of ITE.
The main sessions of the Congress were held in the city of Agios Nikolaos. These sessions included presentations on the work of higher educational and research institutions in Crete by their rectors, as well as talks on topics related to culture, tourism, environment, energy, and sustainability by esteemed speakers. Additionally, a session was dedicated to the federations of Cretans in the diaspora, where they presented their historical journey, the challenges they face, and their reflections and visions for the future of Cretans all over the world.
An important element of this year’s Congress was the Round Table discussion, coordinated by Mayor Giorgos Marinakis of Rethymno and attended by Vice Regional Governor of Rethymno, Mary Lionis. The focus of the discussion was on establishing a program for teaching the Greek language and culture to young diaspora Cretans. Given that the preservation of the language and its continuity among third or fourth-generation diaspora members requires special attention and care over time.
Indeed, the General Secretary of the Greek Diaspora, Mr Chrysoulakis, presented the work of the General Secretariat for Hellenism.
Additionally, the afternoon visits to the Plateau of Lasithi and Sitia were significant, where the Cretans from abroad had the opportunity to better understand the genuine Cretan soul and enjoy Cretan hospitality, under the care of local authorities.
It is noteworthy that, for the first time in the history of the Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand, the National Dance Ensemble, under the guidance of Choreographer Pavlos Spanoudakis, performed exclusively for the 6th Congress of the World Council of Cretans. The young men and women from Australia amazed everyone with their flawless Cretan dance performances during the Cretan evenings of the Congress, dressed in traditional Cretan attire.
Special moments were experienced by the Cretans from abroad during the closing ceremony of the Congress in Sitia, held at the Kazarma Fortress, in the presence of Metropolitan Kyriakos of Ierapetra and Sitia, Vice-Regional Governor of Lasithi Mr Androulakis, Mayor of Sitia Mr Zervakis, amid an atmosphere of deep emotion, as they exchanged thanks and gifts with the President of the World Council of Cretans, Nikos Markogiannakis, and the Presidents of various federations: Iakovos Boutzoukas of the Pancretan Association of America, Antonis Tsourdalakis of the Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand, Eutychia Saviolaki of the Pancretan Federation of Europe, Theodoros Tsontos of the Brotherhood of Cretans Piraeus, and Petros Petrakakis of the Pancretan Brotherhood of Macedonia.
The members of the Organising Committee, Mr. Hippokratis Beladakis, Vangelis Kapetanakis, and Eleni Bredaki-Marinelli, received well-deserved praise from the members of the World Council of Cretans. During her keynote speech, Ms. Bredaki emphasized the significance of the Congress of the World Council of Cretans, “Today and in the Future.”
The audience listened with particular emotion to an old mantinada (traditional Cretan poem) by the beloved and respected Giannis Nathenas, which encapsulates the essence of the diaspora: “How I wish they could diamondize the mind’s storms, those who share their hearts between two homelands.”
The evening at the Kazarma Fortress concluded in a magical manner with the musical theater performance of “Erotokritos,” in a contemporary adaptation and direction, offered by the “Vitsentzos Kornaros” Foundation and its founders, Georgios and Aliki Galanakis, with the assistance of Antonis Anepsitis, the co-manager of the foundation.
During the Congress sessions, special recognition was given to individuals for their contributions to their respective federations: Erasmia Novotni Vlastos, Eleni Ranney, Evangelia Alpoyianni, and Evangelia Hombitaki of the Pancretan Association of America; Ioannis Epitropakis and Manolis Kougioumtzis of the Pancretan Federation of Europe; and Evangelos Leontakis of the Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand.
Gratitude is owed to the organisations that supported the organisation of this Congress, both morally and materially: the Church of Crete, Cretan associations worldwide, the Region of Crete, and particularly Governor Arnaoutakis, Vice-Regional Governor Androulakis, Mayor Zervos, Mayor Kalantzakis, and the “Vitsentzos Kornaros” Foundation of Sitia.
Special thanks are also extended to the sponsors who provided the gifts given to the delegates, including the Archdiocese of Crete, the University of Crete Press, the Municipality of Agios Nikolaos, the Municipality of Lasithi Plateau, the Municipality of Sitia, and the “Vitsentzos Kornaros” Foundation.
Indeed, warm thanks are due to the distinguished speakers of the Congress, who presented their highly interesting topics with exceptional enthusiasm.
From Oceania, the following individuals participated in the Congress: President of the World Council of Cretans, Nikolaos Markogiannakis; President of the Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand, Antonis Tsourdalakis; President of the Cretan Association of Sydney & NSW, Mr. Emmanouil Vitetzakis; President of the Cretan Association of Melbourne, Miltiadis Stamatakis; President of the Pancretan Union of Melbourne, Argyro Michelaki; President of the Cretan Youth of Australia and New Zealand, Eirini Kyriakaki; Treasurer of the Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand, Maria Rissaki; Cretan Dance Instructor of the Australian Group, Pavlos Spanoudakis; and delegates Anna Psaraki, Manolis Kaloutsakis, Charalambos Cheretakis, Maria Georgas, Georgios Georgas, Father Georgios Adamakis, Eirini Adamaki, Pagona Saisanas, and the youth: Angeliki Belivanis, Stamatis Belivanis, Marina Stavrinidis, Anna Tsourdalakis, Vaya Spanoudakis, Christos Stavrinidis, Manolis Adamakis, Matthaios Tsakos, Alexia Georgas, Patricia Arvanitakis, Antonis Arvanitakis, Parisa Tsourdalakis, Eirini Vitetzaki, Ioanna Rakis, Alexandros Moundakis, Dolios Giannoulis, and Christoforos Townsend, making a total of 33 individuals from Oceania.
We wish the forthcoming 7th Congress of the World Council of Cretans, to be held in the beautiful city of Chania, to be attentive and responsive to the expectations of the Cretans from all corners of the earth and especially to the youth, who represent the future of Hellenism.
