The Regional Unit of Chania has announced the detailed programme for the events commemorating the 83rd anniversary of the Battle of Crete. As previously announced, the RAF’s aerobatics team the Red Arrows will be participating in the events. However they will not be performing at the final ceremony at Maleme Aerodrome.

A. GENERAL
1. From 8.00 am on Friday 24th May to the evening of Sunday 26th May 2024, flags will decorate the city’s shops, the offices of public services, of local government, public and private sector organisations and banks, and any ships moored in Souda harbour.
2. Topical celebratory events in schools during the last 2 hours of attendance on Friday 24th May, following a standing decision by the ministry of Education and Religions

B. SPECIFIC – CENTRAL EVENTS
Monday 20th May 2024
10:30 – Municipality of Kantanos-Selino, the square at Floria:
– Memorial service
– Roll of honour
– Laying of wreaths
– Minute’s silence in memory of the Fallen
– National Anthem
– Greeting from the mayor of Kantanos-Selino, Antonis Perrakis
– Greeting from the president of the Cultural and Educational Association of Floria, Georgios Georgilakis
– Speech on the events in the area by mathematics historian Eftychis Papadopetrakis
– Traditional fare offered by the Municipality of Kantanos-Selino and the Cultural and Educational Association of Floria
Organisers: Municipality of Kantanos-Selino, Cultural and Educational Association of Floria.

Tuesday 21st May 2024
11:30 – The Old Harbour, Chania, aerobatic display by the Red Arrows of the Royal Air Force.
11:30 – Municipality of Sfakia, Battle of Crete Monument, Hora Sfakion:
– Memorial service
– Laying of wreaths
– Minute’s silence in memory of the Fallen
– National Anthem
– Greeting from the mayor of Sfakia, Ioannis Zervos
– Speech on the events in the area by the Head of Askifou Primary School, Evi Pinakoudi
– Dance by the “Ta Sfakia” Music and Dance Association
– Traditional fare offered by the Municipality of Sfakia
Organisers: Municipality of Sfakia.
19:30 – Municipality of Kissamos, War Memorial at the Kallergiana junction:
– Memorial Service
– Roll of honour
– Laying of wreaths
– Minute’s silence in memory of the Fallen
– National Anthem by the “Eirinaios Galanakis” Band of the Municipality of Kissamos.
– Greeting from the mayor of Kissamos, Giorgos Mylonakis
– Speech on the events in the area by teacher Giorgos Hachlakis
– Rizitiko sung by the “Kissamos” Rizitiko Singers’ Association
Organisers: Municipality of Kissamos.

Wednesday 22nd May 2024
19:00 – Municipality of Apokoronas, Agioi Pantes Charitable Foundation, Commemoration of the battles at Stylos and Babalis (28th May 1941):
– Memorial Service
– Laying of wreaths
– National Anthem
– Greeting from the president of the Agia Sofia Charitable Foundation, Metropolitan Damaskinos of Kydonia and Apokoronas
– Greeting from the mayor of Apokoronas, Haralambos Koukianakis
– Greeting from the president of the Provincial Press Institute, Ioannis Garedakis
– Speech on the Battle of Crete and the Resistance
– Traditional fare offered by the Municipality of Apokoronas
Organisers: Municipality of Apokoronas, Agia Sofia Charitable Foundation, Provincial Press Institute.

Thursday 23rd May 2024
11:00 – Kolymbari, Cadets’ Monument:
– Memorial Service
– Roll of honour
– Laying of wreaths
– Minute’s silence in memory of the Fallen
– National Anthem
– Greeting from the mayor of Platanias, Giannis Malandrakis
– Speech by the Commanding Officer of the 5th Airmobile Brigade (“5th Cretan Division”), Brigadier Nikolaos Kostakis
Organisers: 5th Airmobile Brigade, Municipality of Platanias.
18:30 – Nea Hora boat harbour, Memorial to the Fallen Citizens of Nea Hora:
– Memorial service
– Roll of honour
– Laying of wreaths
– Minute’s silence in memory of the Fallen
– National Anthem by the Band of the Municipality of Chania
– Greeting from the mayor of Chania, Panagiotis Simandirakis
– Speech on the events from pupils of the 1st General Lykeio of Chania
Organisers: Municipality of Chania.

Friday 24th May 2024
11:00 – Firka Fortress:
– Ceremonial raising of the flag
– National Anthems
Organisers: Regional Unit of Chania, Municipality of Chania.
Visit to the Naval Museum of Crete:
– Presentation of new exhibits on the battle of Crete
Organisers: Naval Museum of Crete.
13:30 – 42nd Street Tsikalaria, ANZAC Memorial, in memory of 27th May 1941:
– Memorial Service
– Laying of wreaths
– Minute’s silence in memory of the Fallen
– National Anthems
– Greeting and speech by the mayor of Chania, Panagiotis Simandirakis
– Greetings from Representatives of Australia and New Zealand Authorities
Organisers: Municipality of Chania, with the participation of the Tsikalaria Cultural Association, Australian Committee for the ANZAC Monument. [See separate post]
18:30 – Galatas, Greek-New Zealanders’ Memorial:
– Memorial Service
– Laying of wreaths
– Minute’s silence in memory of the Fallen
– National Anthems
– Greeting from the mayor of Chania, Panagiotis Simandirakis
– Greetings from Representatives of the New Zealand Authorities
Organisers: Municipality of Chania.

Saturday 25th May 2024
11:00 – Alikianos, Keritis Monument:
– Memorial Service
– Roll of honour
– Laying of wreaths
– Minute’s silence in memory of the Fallen
– National Anthems
– Greeting from the mayor of Platanias, Giannis Malandrakis
– Speech on the events in the area by lawyer and President of DEYAVA, Eftychis Mavrogenis
Organisers: Municipality of Platanias.
13:00 – Agia, Golgotha Monument:
– Memorial Service
– Roll of honour
– Laying of wreaths
– Minute’s silence in memory of the Fallen
– National Anthem
– Greeting from the mayor of Chania, Panagiotis Simandirakis
– Speech on the events in the area
Organisers: Municipality of Chania.
18:30 – Souda, ceremony at the Allied War Cemetery:
– Memorial Service
– Laying of wreaths
Organisers: British Embassy in Athens

Sunday 26th May 2024
07:00-10:00 – Metropolitan Church of Chania, Divine Liturgy in memory of the Fallen and Wounded of the Battle of Crete.
11:00 – Official Doxology presided over by Damaskinos, Metropolitan of Kydonia and Apokoronas.
Organisers: Metropolis of Kydonia and Apokoronas, Region of Crete- Regional Unit of Chania, Municipality of Chania.
11:30 – The Old Harbour, Chania, Parade of Flag-bearers of the Traditional Associations of Chania.
Representatives of the Traditional Associations of the Municipality of Chania will parade round Chania Harbour starting at Talos Square and finishing at the Neorio Moro [Chania Sailing Club].
With the participation of the Band of the Municipality of Chania.
Organisers: Municipality of Chania, KEPPEDICH-KAM.
13:30 – Maleme, ceremony at the German War Cemetery:
– Memorial Service
– Laying of wreaths
Organisers: Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Athens.
18:30 – Maleme Aerodrome, Closing Ceremony at the Battle of Crete Memorial:
1st part – Battle of Crete Memorial
– Memorial Service
– Laying of wreaths
– Minute’s silence in memory of the Fallen
– National Anthems.
2nd part
– Greeting from the Deputy Regional Governor for Chania, Nikos Kalogeris
– Greeting from the mayor of Chania, Panagiotis Simandirakis
– Speech by the mayor of Platanias, Giannis Malandrakis
– Greeting from the Government Representative
– Air display by a single F16 of the 115th Combat Wing
Organisers: Region of Crete – Regional Unit of Chania, Municipality of Platanias, Municipality of Chania, 5th Airmobile Brigade, 115th Combat Wing, 1st Parachute Squadron.

Cultural events related to the 83rd anniversary of the Battle of Crete

Wednesday 8th May 2024
18:00 – Ramni, Apokoronas, ceremony at the Memorial of National Resistance:
– Memorial Service
– Laying of wreaths
– National Anthem
– Greeting from the mayor of Apokoronas, Haralambos Koukianakis
– Speech by former Chania MP Sifis Michelogiannis
– Traditional fare offered by the Municipality of Apokoronas
Organisers: Municipality of Apokoronas.

Wednesday 14th May 2024
10:00 – Municipality of Platanias, Amphitheatre of the Orthodox Academy of Crete, Kolymbari.
Speech with the title “Could the occupation of Crete by the Germans in 1941 have been avoided?” by Lieutenant-General Stefanos Adrianis, civil engineer.
Organisers: Municipality of Platanias, Orthodox Academy of Crete

Saturday 18th May 2024
20:30 – Municipality of Chania, Russian Barracks (end of Meletiou Piga Street) [West Venetian Walls].
Shadow Puppet Theatre performance by Nikos Blazakis, with free entrance:
“During the occupation of Chania, Karagiozis and Hatzivatis steal bread from a German truck. Fearing pursuit, Karagiozis has to hide in a monastery where there is a wireless. They discover that the submarine Papanikolis is hiding its ammunition on the monastery’s premises. What happens next until the final curtain.”
Organisers: Municipality of Chania

Friday 24th May 2024
19:00 – Cultural Centre of Chania (Board Room), “The Battle of Crete in words and pictures”.
Presentation of the Union of Intellectual Creators for the Nomos of Chania, with works of poetry and literature, accompanied by the projection of slides and film extracts showing the critical days in the Battle of Crete.
Organisers: Region of Crete – Regional Unit of Chania, Cultural Centre of Chania, Union of Intellectual Creators for the Nomos of Chania. Sponsored by the Intercultural Euro-Mediterranean Center for UNESCO. (free entry)

Saturday 25th May 2024
20:00 – Municipality of Chania, Megalo Arsenali.
Presentation of Peter Monteath’s book The Battle on 42nd Street. Peter Monteath is Professor of History at Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia. The author of POW: Australian Prisoners of War in Hitler’s Reich and Escape Artist: The Incredible Second World War of Johnny Peck, his researches for these books led him to archives in Australia, New Zealand and Germany, and to 42nd Street.
The book will be introduced by historical researcher Kostas Mamalakis and publisher and historical author Giannis Chronopoulos.
Organisers: Municipality of Chania

Sporting events related to the 83rd anniversary of the Battle of Crete

“Battle of Crete” Interclub Fixed Target Shooting Contest, Category A
Dates: 18th and 19th May 2024
Location: Chania National Shooting Range, Kampano, Akrotiri
Co-organised by: Region of Crete – Regional Unit of Chania, Hellenic Shooting Federation, Chania Shooting Club.

Interclub Shooting Contest Level 2
Date: 19th May 2024
Location: Skines Shooting Range
Co-organised by: Region of Crete – Regional Unit of Chania, Hellenic Shooting Federation, Sports Shooting Club of Chania.

International Clay Pigeon Shooting Contest – “Battle of Crete – Stelios Karabinakis” Cup.
Date: 25th June to 8th July 2024
Location: Chania National Shooting Range
Co-organised by: Region of Crete – Regional Unit of Chania, Hellenic Shooting Federation, “O Vardas” Shooting Club of Chania.

“Battle of Crete” Interclub Cycle Races and Time Trials
Date: 2nd and 3rd November 2024
Location: Agioi Apostoli
Co-organised by: Region of Crete – Regional Unit of Chania, Municipality of Kantanos-Selino, “Talos-Anek Lines” Cycling Club of Chania.