The programme of memorial events to be held this week to mark the 84th anniversary of the Battle of Crete was published by the Regional Unit of Chania on 8th May. While the pattern of events stays much the same from year to year, there are some interesting variations, particularly in the side events, with this year the addition of guided tours, in both English and Greek, at Agioi Apostoli and the Allied War Cemetery in Souda. The programme is as follows:
Monday 19th May 2025
10:30 Municipality of Kandanos-Selino, Sougia War Memorial (Livadas-Koustogerako crossroads)
The memorial is dedicated to the Seliniot prisoners in the Nazi concentration camp of Mauthausen, Austria. Ceremony with a speech on the events in the area by the President of the Science Association of Selino, Loukas Basias. Rizitika sung by the Cultural Association of East Selino “To Psilafi” and others.
Tuesday 20th May
11:30 Municipality of Sfakia, Battle of Crete memorial in Hora Sfakion
Ceremony with greeting from the mayor Ioannis Zervos, speech on the events of the time by Calliope Geronymaki, post-doctoral researcher in Modern History at the University of Florence, poems by pupils of the Hora Sfakion Primary School, and others.
19:00 Municipality of Kissamos, Memorial to the Fallen, Kallergiana crossroads
Ceremony with greeting from the mayor Giorgos Mylonakis, speech by the historian and professor at the University of Crete Giannis Skalidakis, rizitika sung by the “Kissamos” Rizitiko Singers’ Association and others.
Wednesday 21st May
11:00 Agia, Golgotha Memorial
Ceremony with greeting from the mayor of Chania Panagiotis Simandirakis, speech on the events in the area by pupils of the General Lykeio of South Kydonia, traditional songs by pupils of the 2nd Primary school of South Kydonia, dance and theatrical performance by pupils of the Gymnasium of South Kydonia, and others.
19:00 Municipality of Apokoronas, Agioi Pantes, Agia Sofia Charitable Foundation
Ceremony in memory of the battles at Stylos and Babalis (28th May 1941) with greetings from the mayor Haralambos Koukianakis, the president of the Provincial Press Institute Giannis Garedakis, speech on the Battle of Crete and the Resistance, etc.
Thursday 22nd May
12:00 Κolymbari, Cadets’ Memorial
Ceremony with a greeting from the mayor of Platanias Giannis Malandrakis and a speech by the Commanding Officer of the 5th Airmobile Brigade (“5th Cretan Division”), Brigadier Nikolaos Kostakis and others.
18:30 The small harbour, New Hora, Memorial to the Fallen Inhabitants of Nea Hora
Ceremony with greeting from the mayor of Chania Panagiotis Simandirakis, presentation of the historical events by pupils Konstantinos Katsandreakis and Manos Lambrakis of the 1st class of the 1st Experimental Gymnasium of Chania (class teacher Nikitoula Kapellaki) and others.
20:00 Cultural Centre of Chania
First showing in Crete of the documentary “ANZAC: The Greek Chapter”.
Friday 23rd May
11:00 Firka Fortress, Chania
Ceremonial raising of flags and National Anthems.
Visit to the Naval Museum of Crete and presentation of new exhibits related to the Battle of Crete.
13:00 42nd Street Tsikalaria
Monument to the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) commemorating the battle of 27th May 1941.
Greeting and speech from the mayor of Chania Panagiotis Simandirakis, greetings from official representatives of the Australian and New Zealand authorities.
18:30 Galatas, Greek-New Zealanders’ memorial
Greetings from the mayor of Chania Panagiotis Simandirakis and official representatives of the New Zealand authorities.
Saturday 24th May
10:00 Alikianos, Keritis War Memorial
Ceremony with greeting from the mayor of Platanias Giannis Malandrakis, speech on the events in the area by president of the World Council of Cretans, Nikos Kastrinakis.
17:00 Souda, Allied War Cemetery
Memorial ceremony with flypast by the Red Arrows aerobatic squadron of the RAF and others.
Sunday 25th May
11:00 Chania Cathedral
Official Doxology in memory of the fallen and wounded of the Battle of Crete.
11:30 The Old Harbour, Chania
Parade of Flag Bearers. Representatives of the Traditional Associations of the Municipality of Chania will parade around the Old Harbour of Chania, starting from Talos Square and ending at the Neorio Moro (Chania Sailing Club).
13:30 Maleme, German War Cemetery
Memorial service, laying of wreaths (organised by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Athens).
18:30 Maleme Aerodrome
Closing ceremony at the Battle of Crete Monument.
Greetings from the Deputy Regional Governor for Chania Nikos Kalogeris and the mayor of Chania Panagiotis Simandirakis, speech from the mayor of Platanias Giannis Malandrakis, greeting from the Government Representative, parachute jumps by the 1st Parachute Squadron, air display by a single F16 of the 115th Combat Wing.
Parallel events
Monday 19th May, 20:00 Mikis Theodorakis Theatre
First public showing of the documentary “Tanaïs: in the Embrace of the Deep” by Viki Arvelaki.
Monday 19th May, Agioi Apostoli
Historical tours by the Association for the Preservation of the Memory of the Battle of Crete. English tour at 17:00, Greek tour at 18:30. Meeting point: car park of the Xenios Dias complex.
Walk around the three peninsulas of Agioi Apostoli and account of the history of the place, from the Children’s Resort of 1939 to its transformation into the 7th Allied hospital and use as a prisoner of war camp after the occupation of Crete up to 1942, with contemporary photographic material.
Wednesday 21st May, Allied War Cemetery, Souda
Historical tours by the Association for the Preservation of the Monuments of the Battle of Crete and the Resistance. At 17:00 for the English tour and 18:30 for the Greek tour.
Walk around the graves and account of the stories of the fallen and the events of the Battle of Crete. Guide: Giorgos Tsampas, historian, member of the Association for the Preservation of the Monuments of the Battle of Crete and the Resistance.
Duration of tour: 1 hour. Registrations: Culture Section of the Municipality of Chania: politismos@chania.gr, tel: 28213 41613. Organised by Association for the Preservation of the Monuments of the Battle of Crete and the Resistance.
Tuesday 20th May to Saturday 24th May, journey of pilgrimage
The aim of the journey, carried out by the “Wish You Were Here” volunteer group from Australia, is to honour the Australian and New Zealand soldiers who fought in Greece and Crete in 1941, and at the same time to raise awareness of the symptoms and problems encountered by those suffering from pancreatic cancer.
Wednesday 21st May,19:00, Cultural Centre of Chania
Theatrical presentation entitled “Battle of Crete” by the pupils of the “Mikis Theodorakis” 1st Primary School of Nea Kydonia. Entrance is free.
Friday 30th May, 20:30, Garden of the Historical Archive of Crete
Narrative and musical presentation on the theme of “The Occupation in Chania and rebetiko songs” based on true testimonies.
Narration: Nikos Blazakis. Music: Alexandros Halavazis (bouzouki) and Dimitris Vourlakis (guitar). Singer: Melina Koufogiannaki.
(Haniotika Nea, 09/05/25)