Upcoming Crete events August / September

The summer cultural programmes continue with many music events and festivals continuing into September in Crete.

Upcoming events for Chania

Kalami, Kalives - Izzedine Fortress Sunday 23rd August 9 p.m
Concert with Michalis Tsoganakis. Entrance €15

Kalami, Kalives - Izzedine Fortress Monday 24th August 9pm
Cretan concert with Hari and Giorgo Pantermakis. Entrance €15

Chania - Old Harbour Monday 24th to Wednesday 26th August 9pm
"Φάρος Πολιτισμού 2009" Lighthouse Cultural Events 2009. Cretan dancers, exhibition. Free entrance

Chania - Eastern Moat Theatre "Anatoliki Tafros' Thursday 27th August 9.00pm
Concert with Kosats Makedona. Entrance €15

Nea Hora Beach - Chania. Sardine Festival Monday 7th September 9.00 pm
Organised by Chania Municipality

Aptera/Megala Horafia - Panayiri 'Timio Stavro' 13th & 14th September 9.00pm
Feast of the Holy Cross.Village festival. Live music.

Passenger Ferries to remain tied up in ports August?

Strike action is threatened by the Greek National Marine Federation in August, which will cause chaos and suffering for thousands of Greek and foreign visitors if it goes ahead

The exact date(s) of the strike, which will keep passenger ships tied up in ports across Greece, are to be determined after the meeting of the Executive Committee of the Maritime Federation, over the signing of a collective agreement.

In a press release yesterday the National Marine Federation stated:
"Seafarers work exhausting hours and are paid on the old contracts, while the owners refuse to sign the new CPA, which leads us to give notice of industrial action in August"

The meeting is due to take place around 21 August, and likely dates for a 24 hour strike are after 23/24 August according to the Ethnos newspaper today.

UPDATE 17th August
The strike has been called off. The threat of strike action spurred the Ship Owners Union into signing the collective agreement with the Maritime Federation on Friday

Agricultural August

The 11th Agricultural August Exhibition "Αγροτικό Αύγουστο", of local Cretan food products, opened in Chania harbour yesterday, by the old customs house.

This year's exhibition is all about organic products, with more than 260 exhibitors, 85 booths and many parallel events taking place over ten days.

Open evenings daily between 31st July and 9th August, 20.00 hrs to midnight.

At this year's opening ceremony the Governor of Crete, Serafim Tsokas, noted
"Our island can be a biological paradise, a green paradise. I think all our efforts can be focused in that direction".

The aim is to promote local quality products and to give visitors a sample of the culture and traditions of Crete...

The municipalities of the Chania Prefecture are presenting each region separately, in a way that visitors can have a complete picture of the products, natural beauties and culture of our country."