Sitia Celebrates Its Poet
Two-Day Event for Vitsentzos Kornaros
March 27 & 28, 2026 – Sitia
The VITSENTZOS KORNAROS Foundation, in co-organization with the Municipality of Sitia, is organizing a two-day cultural event titled “Sitia Celebrates Its Poet” in Sitia on March 27 and 28, 2026. The event is dedicated to the great creator of the Cretan Renaissance, Vitsentzos Kornaros, on the occasion of his birthday.
EVENT PROGRAM
Friday, March 27
Morning – Event for Students
The event is aimed at high school students in the area, who will have the opportunity to engage with the work of the great Sitian poet. They will attend the theatrical performance
“Arethousa and Erotokritos”, produced by the VITSENTZOS KORNAROS Foundation, based on Vitsentzos Kornaros’s Erotokritos, directed by Thodoris Gkonis.
Evening – Dinner and Music
On the evening of Friday, March 27, a dinner will be held as part of the events, with musical accompaniment by the band “Tsita Korda”, creating a warm atmosphere of gathering and celebration for the event’s guests.
Saturday, March 28
Main Day of Celebration
Morning – Music in the City Streets
The Philharmonic Orchestra of the Municipality of Sitia will perform music inspired by Erotokritos in the city streets, contributing to the festive atmosphere in Sitia.
Afternoon – Main Event at the Sitia Municipality Multicenter
At the Sitia Municipality Multicenter, a speech will be delivered by the distinguished Hellenist David Holton, Emeritus Professor at the University of Cambridge and one of the most important scholars of Erotokritos.
Four of his doctoral students, whose dissertations on Erotokritos and medieval Cretan literature he supervised, will also be present at the event and will speak about their professor.
As part of the event, the Municipality of Sitia will declare Professor David Holton an honorary citizen of Sitia, honoring his significant contribution to the study and promotion of the work of Vitsentzos Kornaros and Cretan literature.
Following this, the theatrical performance
“Arethousa and Erotokritos”, produced by the VITSENTZOS KORNAROS Foundation, based on Vitsentzos Kornaros’s Erotokritos, directed by Thodoris Gkonis, will be presented.
After the event, refreshments will be served at the Sitia Municipality Multicenter.
The two-day event “Sitia Celebrates Its Poet” is an important cultural initiative that highlights the intellectual heritage of Vitsentzos Kornaros and the timeless value of his work.