The International Festival of Poetry of Crete returns again to the cities of Heraklion and Rethymnon with 15 important Greek and foreign poets from 12 countries.
The main goal, according to the organizers, “is the promotion of Greek culture, emphasizing the local cultural heritage of Crete, especially this year, which marks the 100th anniversary of the Asia Minor Catastrophe, a very important anniversary for our country.
Representing the most important languages of the world, the Secretary General of the Presidency of the Republic Vassilis Papadopoulos, the advisor to the former President of the USA, are participating in this year’s event. Barack Obama Christopher Merrill, the ten-year president of European Writers Jochen Kelter, the most important living poet of our country Maria Laina, the brilliant poet and scholar Dimitris Daskalopoulos, the distinguished Latin American José Luis Díaz Granados, the first M the talented young Turk Efe Duyan, the Latvian alternative poet Madara Gruntmane; multinational and talented Andre Naffis-Sahely and the great Italian poet Paolo Ruffilli.
The 2nd International Poetry Festival in Crete is organized by the non-profit organization of cultural action HE.art and will last four days.
During the festival there will be visits to schools in Heraklion (6th High School of Heraklion and 6th Primary School of Heraklion) and Rethymnon (5th Primary School of Rethymnon and 2nd EPAL Rethymnon), events at the University of Crete with the support of the Department of Rethymno, in the historic village of Anogia with a tribute to the poetic value of the mantinada, in the monastery of Agia Irini highlighting the poetic dimension of Byzantine hymns and tours of the important archaeological sites of Knossos and Eleftherna.
The main event of the Festival will take place in Heraklion, on Wednesday, May 18, 2022 in the garden of the Small Laboratory, Irakli 90, Heraklion at 18:00 with recitations of foreign and local poets, presentations, musical compositions and compositions.
The festival program also includes theatrical performances, film screenings, readings by Cretan poets, a tribute to the 100 years of the Asia Minor Catastrophe and lectures by distinguished guests.
Read more information: www.cipfest.org
All events and visits are open to the public with free participation.
With the Co-Organization of the Region of Crete
Program
Wednesday 18 May (1st day) – Heraklion
10:00 Opening of the festival and visit and tour of the poets at the archeological site of Knossos (International Museum Day) – Reading of poems by the invited poets.
18:00 Main event of the festival with the participation of local poets, residents, philanthropic clubs, art magazines and residents. There will be a speech by the Secretary General of the Presidency of the Republic and a speech by Ms. Mara Panagiotaki on the 100th anniversary of the Asia Minor Catastrophe.
Thursday 19 May (2nd day) Heraklion – Rethymnon
10:00 Visit of poets to schools in Heraklion and Rethymnon – readings of poems by all the invited poets but also by students involved in poetry (students’ poems have been prepared in English translation).
Students will present their writing, questions and all school activities on literature and books. Dialogue of students and poets.
18:00 Visit of the poets and tour of the archeological site of Eleftherna – Reading of poems.
Friday 20 May (3rd day) – Rethymnon
10:00 Visit to the University of Crete (Department of Philology of the School of Philosophy of Rethymnon) – Presentation of the poets, readings of poems and the keynote speech of the Secretary General of the Presidency of the Republic.
The event is divided into (3) poetry sections: a) Poetry and open society, b) Poetry and performing arts and c) Poetry and creative writing with the participation of invited poets, Professors, students of many schools and students Of Rethymno. Of course the whole event will be based on the open dialogue of the public with the poets.
18:30 Event with the “Antivaro” Theater Group of Rethymnon – there will be a theatrical performance, a short film about the mantinada, recitations by foreign and Cretan poets.
We will present the dialogue of the poets Aeschylus and Euripides from the Frogs of Aristophanes with English subtitles adapted by the Theatrical Group “Antivaro” of Rethymnon. The poets will also present poetry performances, poetry slam and other forms of expression and creation especially for the festival.
Saturday 21 May (4th day) -Rethymno
12:00 Visit to I.M. Agia Irini Rethymno – guided tour of the historical relics of the monastery, monastic meal and reading of poems by the invited poets in the sanctuary of the monastery.
17:00 Official event in Anogia. In collaboration with the Municipality of Anogia (with the decisive contribution of Louis of Anogia) we will present in the “Land of the Shepherd” the poetry of the invited poets and the poetry of the mantinada. Local mantinadologists and musicians will take us on a journey through the history of Crete, the value of oral tradition and the valor of the people. There will be speeches, recitations, readings, music and open dialogue between so many different cultures.
The Festival on social media:
https://www.facebook.com/cipfest
https://www.instagram.com/cipfest/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCD0yfURyOXMfLBzAZAhK5Hw
