Rethymno is marking World Tourism Day this weekend with two evenings of music, Cretan food, dancing, visitor awards, photography, and one rather lovely idea: returning visitors can leave a tree behind.
If you are in Rethymno this weekend, there is still time to join the celebrations.
The Municipality of Rethymno and the Rethymno Hoteliers Association are holding a two-day World Tourism Day program on September 26 and 27, combining local food and music with a celebration of the visitors who keep coming back to the city.
And yes, the organizers have made repeat tourism considerably more interesting than another speech about sustainable development.
Saturday Night Starts With Cretan Food
The first event takes place Saturday, September 26, at 7 p.m. in Adelianos Kampos, outside the Traffic car rental office.
The evening will take the form of a large traditional Cretan party, with a buffet of Cretan dishes prepared and offered by participating member hotels of the Rethymno Hoteliers Association.
The Dimitris Keramianakis group will provide live music, with traditional dancers joining the celebration.
So if you are staying around Adelianos Kampos tonight, this is a fairly straightforward invitation: go where the food is.
Sunday Brings the Balkans to Rethymno
On Sunday, September 27, at 9 p.m., the celebration moves to Rethymno’s Municipal Garden.
The local group AlmaEchoes will present Alma Balkanica – In the Pulse of the Balkan Soul, a musical journey through the Balkans combining traditional songs with contemporary arrangements.
The program includes well-known pieces such as “Ederlezi” and “Raiko”, with a dance group from the Lyceum Club of Greek Women of Rethymno joining the performance.
The concert is free to attend.
Rethymno Is Giving Repeat Visitors Something to Put Down Roots
One of the most interesting parts of this year’s celebration is how Rethymno is honoring its returning visitors.
Repeat visitors will be recognized during the celebrations. Still, instead of simply receiving another certificate to put in a drawer, each honoree will symbolically adopt a tree planted in the city’s historic garden.
The idea is simple: come back often enough, and you can eventually have roots in Rethymno.
The city will also honor photographer Giorgos Katakis for his long contribution to documenting and promoting Rethymno through the popular Rethymno Old Town photography group.
#RethymnoUnfiltered Announces Its Winners
The weekend will also reveal the winners of the #RethymnoUnfiltered photography competition.
Residents and visitors were invited to show their own view of Rethymno on Instagram using the hashtag, with the competition designed around the city’s more authentic, unfiltered side.
The creators of the three winning photographs will receive multi-day holiday packages in Rethymno.
After the awards, the Municipality, Hoteliers Association and Food Service Association will offer the winners and honored visitors Cretan drinks and food.
Free Events, Very Little Excuse Not to Go
Both main events are free to the public.
Saturday, September 26 — 7 p.m.
Adelianos Kampos
Cretan food, live music, and traditional dancing
Sunday, September 27 — 9 p.m.
Municipal Garden of Rethymno
AlmaEchoes, Alma Balkanica, music and dance
