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Cretan People and Culture

The diverse Cretan People and Culture. Who are the Cretan people? What is Cretan culture? How can we share our wonderful stories, traditions, ideas, words, songs and histories?

Moustákia, stivánia and saríkia. This page will tell you all about three of the most Cretan of all Cretan customs.


Who are the people that have shaped Kríti?

We look at Famous Crete

Notorious Cretans such as Vitséntzos Kornáros, Doménicos Theotokópoulos, Eleftherios Venizelos, and Níkos Kazantzákis are part of the fabric of cultural life in Crete.

As are Míkis Theodorákis, Níkos Xiloúris and Giánnis Markópoulos, gifted contributors to our world. In modern times Giánna Angelópoulos-Daskaláki, from Iraklion rose to prominence.

Níkos Kaklamanákis, whose father is from Rethymnon in Crete, is a proud Greek athlete, a medal winning sailor and windsurfer. He lit the flame at the Athens 2004 opening ceremony.



It is the Families and Personalities that really make up our villages and the human landscape of Kriti.

Greetings are a ubiquitous part of every day in Crete. There are greetings for every occasion and every time of day. Learning these is a small step to understanding Kriti.

What is Modern Life really like in Crete?

The Architecture of Crete; so rich and varied, with ruins, immaculate restorations, modern concrete blocks and everything in between. The traditional stone houses with ruddy ochre colourings rather than aspro white villages are almost part of the earth itself.

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Crete Art...Minoan Art, folk art, Byzantine art as well as modern art of every conceivable style is alive and well in Kríti. We look at the art and works of El Greco.


In the Literature and Resources section we show the writers of Crete and about Crete, with novels, historical texts, guide books, maps and more.

Popular Culture and Trivia Did you know that Jennifer Aniston’s real Greek name shows her Cretan heritage? There are plenty of famous and infamous Cretans.

pirates flag


What does Johnny Depp have to do with Crete? Learn all about the real Pirate Barbarossa.

Iraklion Crete Oxi Day Kriti






Festivals and Celebrations
are an integral part of Cretan life. Here we get to share our fun days.



What are the Conservation issues and projects underway in Kríti? Here you can find out about them and contribute to the healthy ecology of the island.

Football is not a game, it is a way of life!


Cafe Rethymnon Crete Kriti





In our Coolest Cafés section we can talk about our favourite places to sit, relax, talk, drink coffee or frappe and play tavli, and talk about the Cretan people and culture...



We support Crete for Life

Cretan People and Culture - Crete for Life is a charity operating in the south of Crete, near Ierapetra, bringing joy to kids suffering in poverty and ill-health from the on-flowing effects of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster. A holiday camp for kids, this charity provides welcome relief and laughter, sun and swimming, activities and sharing for many children every summer. Their motto is "A holiday can change a life" and we agree. Click on their logo to visit their website and support their valuable work, volunteering positions are available.




Sara's Hope Foundation


The Sara's Hope Foundation was launched in the summer of 2007. Ged Hoburn writes "It was inspired by our very beautiful daughter Sara, who passed away with a very rare form of colon cancer at the tender age of 16 in 2001. Sara was such a lovely and warm hearted person who could light up the room with her radiant smile and glowing personality".

The Foundation is in the process of negotiations for a plot of land on the island of Crete to build a holiday retreat for children in the UK who have been diagnosed with cancer, inspired by the Cretan people and culture, with open hearts and family care.

The retreat and the holidays create smiles, hope and precious memories for children with cancer.

Sara's Hope Foundation would welcome any support fellow lovers of Crete.

Donations can be made through the Sara's Hope website, just click on the logo above or visit www.sarashopefoundation.co.uk




Walk With Donkeys

Walk with Donkeys, Donkey Farm and riding, treks and camping, Ierapetra, Crete

Donkeys are work animals for most people on Crete. When they are no longer useful or too old, in the past they were left to starve or die a sad and lonely death. Crazy foreigners think this is terrible, so have created a donkey shelter in the south-east of the island, near Ierapetra.

The great thing about this is that the donkeys get treated really well, live out their lives in good health, and get to meet more crazy foreigners who love animals. Some visitors even bring their kids for a farm visit, a picnic, a day trip riding a donkey, a camping trip or a vulture spotting trek in the mountains, to get away from it all.

Donations can be made to support the work of Alistair and Suzanne at Walk with Donkeys

To find out more about their wonderful farm visits and guided walks, visit www.walkwithdonkeys.com


Have something to contribute to our Cretan People and Culture section? Have a story to tell? Photos to share? Write to us on our Contact Us safe form.







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