Tag Archives: Kolymbari

Inauguration of renovated Academy building in Kolymbari

The inauguration of the renovated conference complex of the Orthodox Academy of Crete in Kolymbari is scheduled to take place on 23rd November 2026. The ceremony will be conducted by Theodoros II, the Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and all Africa, who was born as Nikolaos Choreftakis in Choreftiana, Kissamos, in 1954. The complete renovation of the complex, which has an area of 3,100 sq m, was funded by the Public Investment Programme of the Region of Crete with a budget of €3.1 million.

A building with white arches on two floors and covered in scaffolding is seen from the road below a stone wall.
The original building of the Orthodox Academy of Crete in Kolymbari. The façade, for many months clear of building materials, is now once again swathed in scaffolding, no doubt for the application a final coat of paint.

The contract for the renovation was signed on 25th March 2024 and the project is now nearing completion. The works have included replacement of floors, windows and doors, electrical installations, internal changes of use, concrete reinforcement, energy upgrading and landscaping of external areas.

The building was the Academy’s original conference centre, whose construction was completed in 1968 and includes the chapel of Saints Cyril and Methodius*, conference and administrative facilities, guest rooms, a library, refectories and a professional kitchen.

The same building in a black and white photo with a 60s style bus in front and no road.
The building seen shortly after its construction, in 1970. Photo: Oac.gr

The date of the inauguration was announced by Amphilochios, Metropolitan of Kissamos and Selino and chairman of the Academy’s management board, at a meeting of the parties involved in the renovation. He described the completion of the works as “a vision of many years which is now becoming a reality and is expected to give new inspiration and life to the Academy”.
(Haniotika Nea, 17/09/26)

*The Saints Cyril and Methodius were Byzantine monks of Greek or Bulgarian origin, born in Thessaloniki in the early 800s, who were noted for the their work in evangelising the Slavs. (Wikipedia)

Kolymbari branch of the Bank of Chania to close

Account holders at the Kolymbari branch of the Bank of Chania will have already received (in Greek) the following email advising them of the branch’s closure. This English version may of use to some of them, and to those who are not account holders but who use the branch’s ATM for withdrawing cash and other services.

Notice of closure of the Kolymbari Branch

As part of the reorganisation and rationalisation of the branch network of the Cooperative Bank of Chania, we inform you that the Kolymbari Branch will cease operation on the 15th September 2026.

A signboard at the entrance to the shopping mall carries a list of businesses, including the Bank of Chania.
   The Platanias Branch of the Cooperative Bank of Chania is in the Olea shopping mall off the main street in Platanias. Photo: Google Maps.

From 16th September your service will be continued at the Platanias Branch, where the client list of the Kolymbari Branch will be transferred. At the same time you will continue to have the possibility of being served at any other branch of the Bank which you wish, as well as through the Bank’s electronic services.

The reorganisation of the network is part of the Bank’s continuing effort to effectively organise its services and make better use of its available resources, in order to maintain a high level of service for its customers.

From the Kolymbari Branch’s opening in 2000 to the present day, it has for 26 years been a point of reference for the local community. Now that this cycle of operation has been completed, we would like to thank you for your cooperation over all these years.

We look forward to continuing our cooperation and remain at your service to cover your banking needs, with continuity and responsibility.

For any additional information or explanation you can contact Mr Giorgos Papadogiannakis on 28240 83390 and from 16th September 2026 at the Branch at Platanias.

Yours respectfully,

The Cooperative Bank of Chania

The Platanias branch of the Bank of Chania is in the Olea shopping mall off the main street in Platanias. Links to a map of Bank’s branches and ATMs can be found at the bottom of the home page on its website: http://www.chaniabank.gr.

Musical evening at the Stone Theatre in Kolymbari

We have to admit that we were unaware that there was a Stone Theatre in Kolymbari, or that it was being used for cultural events. However, it certainly exists – it is directly behind the disused Fishing Museum and is not visible from the road. Presumably constructed at the same time as the Museum, it was last used in August for two nights of “Cinema under the Stars”.

A poster carries the singer's name in white on a red background, with a photograph of her head and shoulders above stylised waves.

Now the Municipality of Platanias is presenting a musical evening at the Stone Theatre with the popular singer Ioanna Kavroulaki on Saturday 5th September. The performance is being organised by the Region of Crete with the support of the Municipality of Platanias and the Cultural Association of Kolymbari, as part of the Cretan Festival: “Women: Cultural Heritage – Creation / Honouring the past – Inspiring the Future”.

Ioanna Kavroulaki will present a musical programme accompanied by Giorgos Migdanis on guitar, Adam Dogas on wind instruments and Alexandros Zotai on percussion.

The event is taking place under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Social Cohesion and the Family, and is sponsored by ANEK Lines.

The concert starts at 8.30 pm. Admission is free.

Tango comes to Kolymbari

The tango, a typically Argentinian genre, belongs to the family of folk music forms mainly originating in urban underclasses from the late 19th and early 20th century onwards whose characteristic dances, originally considered too lewd for acceptance by polite society, have advanced to worldwide acceptance and popularity and whose songs tell of solitude and desperation – due to social and racial discrimination – frustrated love and longing. The group includes, in addition to the tango, the American blues, the Greek rebetiko, the Portuguese fado and the Spanish flamenco. Their historic roots are of course different but their inspiration has many similarities. Some extracts from Wikipedia give a brief account of their origins:

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