The 7th World Congress of Cretans, held in Chania from 21st to 27th July, brought together Cretans from all over the world to discuss the future pattern of their relationship with their native island, with national and local politicians, academics and people from the fields of business and culture. Starting with cultural events in the city of Chania, the Congress proper took place at the Orthodox Academy of Crete in Kolymbari from 23rd July. The event was covered in detail by the Haniotika Nea, which reported on the proceedings on three consecutive days. The following is a digest of those reports.
Cretans of the world discuss tomorrow
The 7th World Congress of Cretans began at the Orthodox Academy of Crete in Kolymbari on Thursday 23rd July. The Congress, whose official theme was “Crete and the Cretans today and tomorrow”, brought together representatives of the Diaspora from the five continents, scientists, university staff, regional government officers and people from the fields of finance and culture. More than 80 speakers took part in the workshops, which lasted until 26th July.
The first day
The basic messages of the inaugural day revolved around the strength of global Hellenism, Crete’s relationship with the international community and the need for expatriate Cretans to be seen not merely as repositories of tradition but active collaborators in efforts for the development and international promotion of the island.
In his introductory speech, the President of the World Congress of Cretans Nikos Kastrinakis proposed as the kernel of the Congress the need to strengthen the essential relationship between Crete and the organisations of the Diaspora. His basic message was that the Diaspora cannot restrict itself solely to the maintenance of customs and historical memory.
Crete and the international community
Deputy Minister for Migration and Asylum and MP for Chania Sevi Voloudaki focussed on the relationship of Crete with the international community and the Diaspora. The message she put forward was that Crete’s international presence is not confined to its touristic recognition.
Crete has an extensive human network abroad, which can function as a channel for finance, research, education, culture and public diplomacy, she said. More active links between expat organisations and universities, regional government, business and political bodies on the island could strengthen Crete’s international connections and create new opportunities for young people. At the same time there was a need for maintaining the cultural identity of the younger generations of the Diaspora, without this developing into a static and museum-like relationship with their land of origin.
Global Hellenism as a developmental force
Former minister Anna Diamantopoulou referred to global Hellenism’s capacity to act as a force for development. Central to this, she said, is the need for the organised deployment of Greeks working in universities, businesses, research centres and international organisations. The basic message of her contribution was that the Diaspora is not only a source of emotional and historical ties, but a global repository of knowledge, experience and influence.
For Crete, she said, the exploitation of this dynamic can lead to the attraction of investments and research collaborations, the promotion of local products, the connection of young people with international networks and the strengthening of the island’s position in the new economic and technological environment. The common denominator was the need to create stable collaborative institutions, so that the Diaspora’s potential can be converted into specific initiatives and not remain at the level of good intentions.
“Expatriate Hellenism is a meeting point”
The leader of the Regional Council of Crete Sofia Malandraki referred to the special symbolism of the Congress being held in the Orthodox Academy, which she described as an emblematic space, from which important initiatives had been developed with the contribution of the late Metropolitan Eirinaios. She emphasised that the agenda of the Congress demonstrates the distinct anthropogeography of Cretan migration: people who left seeking better prospects and others who were drawn far from the island because of the conditions of their time.
As the gathering’s host, the Mayor of Platanias Giannis Malandrakis laid emphasis on the importance of the presence of Cretans from the five continents. “The Municipality of Platanias has great pleasure in receiving the 7th World Congress of Cretans at the Orthodox Academy,” he said, noting that the gathering takes place every three years and assumes special importance in today’s geopolitical circumstances.
For his part the president of the Chania Chamber of Commerce and Industry Antonis Rokakis emphasised that “the future of Crete merits a multi-dimensional ‘platform’ for networking and action which will connect researchers, enterprises, investors and young scientists.”
The second day
The second day of workshops at the 7th World Congress of Cretans in Kolymbari was devoted to “Climate crisis and the environment.” Representatives of the State, local government, the academic and research community, business and the Cretan Diaspora discussed the effects of climate change on the island, the need for improved prevention and civil protection, but also the possibility of implementing scientific knowledge and innovation.
Those taking part in the discussions included:
– Heraklion MP and former Minister for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Giannis Kefalogiannis;
– Aris Koutroulis, Assistant Professor in the Hydrology and Hydraulic Engineering Laboratory at the Technical University of Crete;
– Meteorologist and deputy mayor of Chania Manolis Lekkas;
– Kostas Sinolakis, Professor at the Viterbi School of Engineering of the University of Southern California;
– Efthymios Lekkas, Professor of Dynamic Tectonic Applied Geology and Disaster Management at the National Kapodistrian University of Athens;
– Elia Psillakis, Professor in the School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering at the Technical University of Crete; and
– Petros Lyberakis, researcher at Crete’s Museum of Natural History
The afternoon programme included a contribution by economist and former minister Nikos Christodoulakis on the developmental prospects of Crete, biodiversity and local plants, and a discussion with the mayors of Chania, Platanias, Apokoronas, Kissamos and Rethymnon on the role of local government.
Desertification an urgent issue for Crete
Crete is a hot spot of the climate crisis, according to Professor Efthymios Lekkas. On the sidelines of the Congress, he explained how Crete, like Malta and Southern Spain, could be considered climate crisis hot spots as they are between Africa which is on the verge of desertification and Europe which still retains its climate. He underlined the fact that the island is under threat from many sides and is subject to dramatic pressure from tourism.
Water as a common good
A lecture by meteorologist Manolis Lekkas on water management proposed the free provision of water up to a certain quantity. “We receive 5.4 billion cubic metres of water [annually] on our island, of which 2 billion end up in the underground aquifers, an enormous amount. Our consumption is 372 million cu m annually, and we say that we don’t have enough water?” he asked.
The meteorologist made a series of suggestions for better water management, including:
– the creation of a rainfall monitoring system;
– protection of natural springs for future use in the bottled water industry;
– a study for the construction of small retaining dams for enriching the aquifer, instead of “pharaonic” major dam constructions;
– studies on the reuse of treated wastewater for agricultural use;
– studies on the development of desalination methods.
Explaining his proposal for the free supply of water, Mr Lekkas said that it would contribute to “the quality of life of every citizen and of the family, business activity and agricultural use. Each ‘drop’ which exceeds these controlled and necessary degrees of consumption will be considered as waste and will be charged on a high-cost ‘logarithmic scale’. With this measure, each category of consumer (family, business, agricultural sector) will of its own accord take care to apply economising measures.”
Environmental issues
Professor Ioannis Bourbakis of the National Technical University of Athens presented a series of problems arising from increases in temperature. “In the last few years we have had a temperature increase of around 1.1 degrees Celsius in Crete,” he said. “Think of the temperature we had two or three days ago, and imagine how uncomfortable it would be for us and for the tourists if we had it every day,” he said.
In her contribution, Professor Elia Psillakis spoke about microplastics and the research which her laboratory has been carrying out in Crete into the level of pollution in the island’s seas. Details of the research, which contains some highly significant data, will be published shortly.
In a session entitled “Environment, our natural heritage”, researcher Petros Lyberakis dealt with issues of environmental protection. The [EU’s] Tourist Development Framework Programme “creates more problems than it solves,” he said. “It ‘s all over the map and it’s hard find one’s way around it.” In particular he emphasised the issue of the absence of controls in the application of environmental law. “We need an organised mechanism for the guarding and supervision of the environment. The absence of controls causes severe environmental and social problems,” he said.
Time for critical decisions
The Mayor of Apokoronas Haralambos Koukianakis had a clear message for the 7th World Congress of Cretans, which was in opposition to the industrial exploitation of Crete’s natural environment. “Which Crete do we want?” he asked. “That of tradition, ideals and values, or that of abandonment and desertification?”
Speaking in the session on climate crisis and the environment, he stressed that the energy transition cannot be effected without planning, scientific documentation, social consensus and respect for the capacity of the island’s resources. Crete cannot be treated as a field for the unrestricted installation of energy infrastructure, as it possesses a unique ecosystem, invaluable biodiversity, historic sites and cultural heritage, which cannot be allowed to be sacrificed in the name of unrestrained development.
The Mayor of Apokoronas gave special emphasis to the role that can be played by the Cretan Diaspora, issuing an invitation to expats to become the island’s voice in every corner of the world. “Crete does not belong only to those who live here today. It also belongs to all those who carry it in their hearts, wherever they are,” he said. He invited the Cretans of the Diaspora to contribute to the protection of Lefka Ori, of Psiloritis, of Mount Dikti, of the island’s villages and peaks which are in danger of being spoiled, warning that “If we stay silent today, tomorrow it may be too late.”
Climate crisis the central issue
The contributions highlighted the dangers from extreme weather phenomena, wildfires and natural disasters, as well as the need for transition to a developmental model which will combine economic progress with sustainability and the protection of natural resources. Special emphasis was given in the discussions to the role of the research and academic institutions in Crete, as well as the need to cultivate environmental awareness in the younger generations through education.
Participating in round table discussions, the island’s mayors and deputy regional governors referred to the difficulties faced by local government as regards both the upgrading of infrastructure and ensuring the necessary resources for works of environmental protection, and adjustment to the climate crisis.
“Crete’s strength lies in the Diaspora”
The Regional Governor of Crete Stavros Arnautakis referred to the decisive role played by Cretan expatriates, observing that “the true strength of our locality is reflected in our Diaspora.” He described Cretan expats as the most powerful source of the island’s universality and emphasised that the future of Crete must be fashioned through unity, assertiveness and steady collaboration. “Wherever you are, you brought with you Crete in its entirety: its untamed spirit, its generosity, solidarity and profound hospitality,” he said, noting that the expats have never been simple observers, but rather active participants in the progress of the communities which received them.
Mr Arnautakis emphasised that the Diaspora’s relationship with Crete is not sustained only by nostalgia, but constitutes an active and two-way bridge of creativity, with the emphasis on the Cretan identity of the younger generations. He also referred to the major development works on the island, such as the new International Airport at Kastelli, the Northern Road Axis from Kissamos to Sitia and the electrical interconnections with the Greek mainland. The plan for the Crete of 2030, he said, is for an island which is “dynamic, sustainable and smart”, which will take the lead in the green transition, digital governance and social cohesion.
The president of the World Congress of Cretans Nikos Kastrinakis thanked the Regional Governor for his support and presented him with an honorary plaque, observing that he had made a strong impact on the course of the Congress.
The third and fourth days
The last two days of the Congress were devoted to the thematic units “Education and Culture” and “Inclusion, Social Responsibility and Volunteerism”. During the third day, discussion centred on the challenges faced by education, cultural heritage and the preservation of the Cretan identity. Special emphasis was given to the need for strengthening the relationship of the younger generations of expats with Cretan language, history and values, as well as to the creation of educational and cultural collaborations.
The sessions also examined the future of culture on the island and the need to preserve the authenticity of the Cretan tradition in the face of the pressures created by mass touristic development. Suggestions were presented for the preservation of aural history and cultural memory, while there were experiential workshops, presentations of Cretan products and traditional dance activities.
Delegates visited Lousakies in the Municipality of Kissamos, where they were informed about the history of the sirto dance. Young expats presented a musical programme with lyra, violin and lute. There was also an introduction to Cretan vineyards through a tasting conducted by the sommelier Stella Liodaki, in which wines from native Cretan grape varieties were sampled.
Volunteerism and social solidarity
On Sunday 26th July, the delegates visited the Gonia Monastery in Kolymbari, where they were received by Amphilochios, the Metropolitan of Kissamos and Selino. The fourth and final day was focussed on social solidarity, public health, mental resilience, inclusion, the protection of vulnerable groups and volunteerism.
The president of the Hellenic Red Cross Antonios Avgerinos developed the theme of “Volunteerism – an antidote to violence”, citing the role of volunteerism in strengthening social cohesion and creating networks of solidarity.
The president of the children’s charity To Hamoyelo tou Pediou (The Smile of the Child) Kostas Giannopoulos presented details of the problems faced by children and adolescents in Greece, stressing the need for prevention, intervention and the active participation of the community in their protection. Also, information was presented about social initiatives and volunteering activities in Crete, as well as proposals for the upgrading of health, caring and rehabilitation services on the island.
The young delegates took part in a Cretan dance workshop which was organised by the Psiloritis Traditional Dance Association and led by Adam Boutzoukas.
At the closure of the Congress the president of the World Congress of Cretans Nikos Kastrinakis and the leader of the Regional Council of Crete Sofia Malandraki presented a pilot scheme for connecting Greek academics of the Diaspora with students at Greek universities, with the aim of transferring knowledge, providing guidance to the young and creating new academic collaborations.
(Haniotika Nea, 24, 25, 27/07/26)