The programme for the events commemorating the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Crete includes the customary ceremonies and a number of additional events, the most notable of which is the première of the first in a series of six documentaries on the women of Western Crete during World War II, using material gathered over the past 20 years by New Zealand film maker John Irwin. There are also other film showings, a book launch, and guided tours in English and Greek at the Allied Cemetery and the park of Agii Apostoli, where there was a prisoner of war camp during the German occupation. Full details can be found in the programme published by the Regional Unit of Chania (see link below).
Continue readingBeach cleaning in Tavronitis
Volunteers are invited to take part in cleaning Tavronitis beach on Sunday 17th May from 9.00 am.
The activity is being organised by the Tavronitis Cultural Association with the voluntary participation of the Association of Non-professional Fishermen.
Participants may like to bring with them a tasty dish to contribute to a communal meal to be held afterwards.
(Haniotika Nea, 07/05/26)
Knossos to receive a €1.85 million upgrade
July 2025 was a landmark for Crete, with the inscription of six Minoan Palatial Centres on Crete into the World Heritage List of UNESCO. Long sought after by the government and the Cretan authorities, the distinction cemented the position of these Minoan sites as important assets of world cultural heritage. However, in addition to ensuring greater visibility and a probable boost in visitor numbers, the recognition also entails significant responsibilities for Greece:
Continue readingFrance and Greece renew joint defence agreement
In September 2021, 18 months after the Turkish government declared the country’s land border with Greece along the Evros river open, threatening to flood Europe with 200,000 refugees, France and Greece signed a security agreement which included a mutual defence clause should either be attacked by a third country. The agreement was accompanied by a defence procurement deal worth €3 billion whereby France would supply Greece with frigates and corvettes. (Wikipedia).
Continue readingCrete promoted as a cruise destination in Miami
Earlier this month, the Region of Crete was represented at the international cruise conference Seatrade Cruise Global 2026 which took place in Miami from 13th to 16th April. One of a series of events, with others planned for the Mediterranean and Asia later this year, the conference was attended by over 12,500 visitors, with 650 exhibitors and 85 cruise brands from 125 different countries. The following press release appeared on the Region of Crete’s website on 20th April.
Continue readingFishing for sea urchins banned in Chania
A nationwide ban is in force on fishing for sea urchins at certain periods of the year. The Regional Unit of Chania has issued a press release reminding fishermen and related businesses of the rules laid down in Presidential Decree no 65/2014 which concern fishing for sea urchins of the species Paracentrotus lividus. The main points of the announcement are as follows:
Continue readingThe need for a reorientation of Crete’s economy
A new study by the Labour Institute of the Confederation of Greek Workers (INE GSEE) highlights the need for a reorientation of the development strategy for Crete, with a reinforcement of productive added value and a reduction of the dependence on tourism. The study was presented at the 39th conference of the GSEE which took place at the Creta Maris hotel in Heraklion from 15th to 19th April. The introduction to the study summarises its main aims as follows:
Continue readingSnows melt on Lefka Ori
In a recent article which highlighted the benefits of late snowfall on the mountains of Crete, Haniotika Nea quoted Nektarios Kourgialas, chief researcher at Laboratory for Water Resources and Irrigation of the Institute of Olive Tree in Chania, as saying that “If all goes well, and we do not have any strong south winds, the snows will melt during May, and could even last until June in some areas, while if you remember last year the snow had melted by the beginning of May.”
Continue readingFinancial help for the shopowners of the Agora
Financial assistance of €1.5 million is being made available to around 50 local businesses which were removed from the Municipal Agora in Chania because of the renovation works, allowing them to restart immediately when the market reopens. The money is being paid through the government’s Sectoral Development Programme for 2026-2030, following an initiative by the Deputy Minister for Migration and Asylum Sevi Voloudaki in collaboration with the Ministry of Development. A flat rate subsidy of €30,000 per business will be paid to cover the costs of reestablishment in the new market and the initial operating costs.
Continue readingOperating rules for the Agora – and a new date for completion
Delays to the completion of the Agora in Chania have been so regular that they no longer excite comment. The last officially announced deadline for completion was Easter 2026, but this will clearly not be met, with summer or autumn being predicted as the most likely dates in an article in Haniotika Nea, which presents the operating rules for the new market.
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