The Municipality of Chania’s cultural and environmental organisation which is based at the Centre of Mediterranean Architecture in the Megalo Arsenali – KEPPEDICH-KAM – has issued new information about the various cultural events taking place over the Christmas period and the New Year. A selection of these is given below. A comprehensive listing can be found on the website www.chania-culture.gr.
Santa Run 2022
The start time for the events at the Plateia Katechaki is now 1.00 pm, with assembly from 12.30. Further instructions have been issued for those bringing Santa sacks to the start of the run:
Sacks are being distributed from the KEPPEDICH-KAM offices on the ground floor of the KAM up till 24th December, from 10:00 to 14:00 and 18:00 to 20:00 daily. Participants should fill the sacks with gifts and bring them to the assembly point on 26th December. The Municipality of Chania will give a bonus of 15 euros for every sack collected and the income will go towards the needs of the children supported by ELEPAP Chania, KIFAAMEA, KIFAP “Megalochari”, The “Orizontas” Association.
The sacks should contain only items consisting of: writing materials, school supplies, drawing and musical supplies, educational games, puzzles, books and fairy tales. They should not contain: fragile items, food, liquids, clothing, second-hand goods, or anything else which might be problematic to collect and distribute. Items should only be brought in the officially distributed sacks. Donors of sacks who register will be given a free Santa costume and will be able to participate in the run and the subsequent party at the 1st Gymnasium next to the Agora.
Friday 23rd December – Concert
Giannis Sinis and Giannis Halkiadakis in a musical journey dedicated to the nation’s traditions. Accompanied by the “Arodamos” musical and dance group of Chania.
Giannis Sinis – Song, lute
Giannis Halkiakadis – Song, violin
Anthi Fourki – Percussion
At the Megalo Arsenali, 21:00 to 00:00, open from 20:30. Admission free.
Saturday 24th December – Fairytales for Christmas
The traditional storytelling group “Storytellers of the city of Chania” will be narrating fairytales and traditional stories for the three main festivals of the 12 days of Christmas – Christmas, the New Year and Epiphany – with the title “Fairytales and Festive stories from the old times”.
Narrators: Dimitra Valavani, Angeliki Beblidaki, Stella Rozaki, Vania Stampolaki, Despina Tziaki.
At the Megalo Arsenali. The event starts at 18:00, with entrance from 17:30. Admission free.
Thursday 29th December – Musical group
“Carsten Thruedal featuring Maria Manousaki and Dimitris Kollintzas”: three musicians with different styles, separate careers and different backgrounds come together to perform in the jazz, rock and ethnic idioms.
Maria Manousaki – Violin
Carsten Thruedal – Guitar, song
Dimitris Kollintzas – Qanun [a kind of zither]
At the Mikis Theodorakis Theatre, 21:00, entrance from 20:30. Admission free.
Friday 30th December, Traditional Evening
A traditional celebration for Christmas and the New Year, at the Mikis Theodorakis Theatre, exhibition space and foyer. Music from Manolis Bobolakis and his group:
Manolis Bobolakis – Violin
Giorgos Stavrakakis – Lute
Antonis Stefanakis – Guitar
Konstantinos Frantzeskakis – Percussion
Andreas Kelaidis – Mandolin, bagpipes
Dancing by the “Psiloritis” dance group of Chania
The event starts at 21:00, with entrance from 20:30. Admission free.
Tuesday 3rd January – Magic Show
A magic show for young and old with conjuror “Magic Spyros”.
At the Megalo Arsenali, from 11:30 for 12:00. Suitable for children. Admission free.
Wednesday 4th January – Children’s event
Nutcracker meets Clara to make wooden calendars for the New Year.
Organised in collaboration with pi:Lab | STEAM ACADEMY.
Suitable for children aged 5 to 12 years.
At the Megalo Arsenali. Sessions at 12:00 – 14:00 and 18:00 – 20:00. Admission free. Limited places, please phone 697 277 1398 to book.
Saturday 7th January – Shadow puppets
An original musical performance with shadow puppets by the leading composer and conductor Alkis Baltas, with the title “Karagiozi goes to a concert”. A video presentation by Subways Music.
Concept, original script, production and orchestration of musical pieces – Alkis Baltas
Shadow puppeteer – Thodoris Kotsidakis
Conductor – Alkis Baltas
Orchestra consisting of clarinet, trumpet, percussion, piano, violins, viola, double bass
At the Megalo Arsenali, 18:00. Admission free.