Sometimes, it takes more than EU acronyms and overcooked baklava to bring neighbors together. Enter the Municipality of Chania, loading up a delegation and heading straight for Manavgat, Türkiye, from April 24 to 26. Why? Because when someone mails you an invitation with the header “From Crete to Side—Culture and Flavors Festival,” you don’t send regrets. Not when food and folk dance are involved.
- Chania’s official squad visits Manavgat after an official invitation.
- The date: April 24-26, a prime slot for off-season cultural diplomacy (and possibly sunburn).
- Purpose: Enjoy Turkish hospitality, eat better than their colleagues at home, and maybe remember why Crete and Asia Minor keep dancing to the same tune.
Who Did Chania Pack for This Trip—Aside from Olive Oil and Bouzouki Strings?
Every city delegation needs its fair share of suits, folk dancers, and people who can pretend to like strange desserts. Chania’s lineup doesn’t disappoint. Deputy Mayors E. Zervoudaki and G. Giannakakis are the headliners, flanked by municipal staff, local dance groups, and musicians who can play a Cretan lyra until the cows come home.
- E. Zervoudaki and G. Giannakakis: leading the way, leaving the municipal paperwork behind.
- Support staff, wondering if their per diem covers extra raki.
- Dancers and musicians, armed with creased costumes and a suspicious amount of hair gel.
- Their plan: To share contemporary Cretan culture in Türkiye by turning every mundane moment into a performance.
On paper, this is about “promoting modern Cretan identity within the local community.” In reality, it’s a polite display of Greek-Turkish nostalgia disguised as a food fight. The event spotlights Cretan dances, music that loves a minor key, and culinary traditions that stretch back to when Zeus was in short pants. There’s also a nod to the “common roots, history and cultural ties” that Crete and Asia Minor allegedly share, assuming history books can be trusted.
- Festival chief: M. Ekmektzioglou, the chef and author who somehow gets credit for everything.
- Features dances, singing, and enough food to launch a diplomatic incident.
- High-minded goal: avoid arguments about whose baklava is better and promote friendship instead.
What’s Happening at the Festival?
The “From Crete to Side Festival” could pass for an ancient peace treaty if everyone would keep their hands off the last piece of kalitsouni. The program promises live shows, folk dances, and so much Cretan authenticity that even the locals might get confused.
- Cultural showcases: dance, music, and the small talk politicians love.
- Food presentations: a chance to swap recipes or pretend to.
- Everyone acts grateful, except the guy who wanted to stay in Chania that weekend.
At these events, someone always finds a microphone. According to Deputy Mayor E. Zervoudaki, “Our goal is to celebrate the living culture of Crete and honor the deep connections between our peoples.” G. Giannakakis added, “By sharing our dances and music, we build new friendships and recognize our shared history.” Municipal diplomacy still runs on good intentions and the occasional glass of tsikoudia.
- “Our goal is to celebrate the living culture of Crete and honor the deep connections between our peoples.” – E. Zervoudaki.
- “By sharing our dances and music, we build new friendships and recognize our shared history.” – G. Giannakakis.
Nothing says neighborly love quite like showing up with a lyra, a smile, and a suitcase full of Cretan cheese. Who needs treaties when you have a festival? Or maybe that’s exactly what a treaty tastes like.
