CARNIVAL IN RETHYMNO (17th of March)
It is the fantastic colorful and breathtaking Carnival in Rethymno. Year after year we celebrate our Carnival like no other town in Greece can do. Parties and masquerades all over the town for three weeks. Traditional and modern with music and theatre, street parades and children's events. Our "Treasure Hunt" is legend. So is our Grand Parade with many floats and thousands of happy paraders.
It is the fantastic colorful and breathtaking Carnival in Rethymno. Year after year we celebrate our Carnival like no other town in Greece can do. Parties and masquerades all over the town for three weeks. Traditional and modern with music and theatre, street parades and children's events. Our "Treasure Hunt" is legend. So is our Grand Parade with many floats and thousands of happy paraders.
CLEAN MONDAY (18th of March 2013)
Every year various burlesque folk customs are revived in Armeni, Gerani, Melidoni and Meronas: the “moutzouromata” (“Smudging”) when revellers go round smudging people with soot, the “Tsagaris” (“Shoemaker”), the “Tambis” and the “Abduction of the Bride” Also this public holiday is celebrated with the consumption of shellfish and other fasting food, a special kind of azyme bread, baked only on this day, named "lagana" and the widespread custom of flying kites.
Every year various burlesque folk customs are revived in Armeni, Gerani, Melidoni and Meronas: the “moutzouromata” (“Smudging”) when revellers go round smudging people with soot, the “Tsagaris” (“Shoemaker”), the “Tambis” and the “Abduction of the Bride” Also this public holiday is celebrated with the consumption of shellfish and other fasting food, a special kind of azyme bread, baked only on this day, named "lagana" and the widespread custom of flying kites.
EASTER (5th of May )
Undoubtedly Easter is the most important festival of the Orthodox Church. During this period the religious belief of the people is felt strongly, since Easter celebrations are not restricted to Easter Sunday only, but they also include the previous week, Holy Week, during which the ceremonies preparing for the great celebration are carried out. The parish congregates to attend afternoon and evening services. On Good Friday the Epitaph is decorated with fresh, sweet-smelling flowers, and in the evening it is carried through the neighbourhoods followed by the congregation, who chant and scatter roseleaves onto it. The following night, on Easter Saturday, Resurrection is celebrated. The faithful, all equipped with candles, take home the "Holy Light", which has been passed on to the congregation. At home they sit around the festive table in order to enjoy the Mayiritsa and to smash the red painted eggs. On Easter Sunday people have barbecues in the countryside, grilling lambs and celebrating the Resurrection of Christ as well as the beginning of spring.
Undoubtedly Easter is the most important festival of the Orthodox Church. During this period the religious belief of the people is felt strongly, since Easter celebrations are not restricted to Easter Sunday only, but they also include the previous week, Holy Week, during which the ceremonies preparing for the great celebration are carried out. The parish congregates to attend afternoon and evening services. On Good Friday the Epitaph is decorated with fresh, sweet-smelling flowers, and in the evening it is carried through the neighbourhoods followed by the congregation, who chant and scatter roseleaves onto it. The following night, on Easter Saturday, Resurrection is celebrated. The faithful, all equipped with candles, take home the "Holy Light", which has been passed on to the congregation. At home they sit around the festive table in order to enjoy the Mayiritsa and to smash the red painted eggs. On Easter Sunday people have barbecues in the countryside, grilling lambs and celebrating the Resurrection of Christ as well as the beginning of spring.
RETHYMNO DAYS From April to May
For a second consecutive year the Association of Residents of Old Town Rethymnon will be organising its cultural festival 'Rethymnon Days' from mid April until the end of May.
With the focus on the promotion of the historical and natural monuments of the town, a plethora of events will include art exhibitions, concerts and theatre performances mainly by artists who live in or originate from Rethymnon.
For a second consecutive year the Association of Residents of Old Town Rethymnon will be organising its cultural festival 'Rethymnon Days' from mid April until the end of May.
With the focus on the promotion of the historical and natural monuments of the town, a plethora of events will include art exhibitions, concerts and theatre performances mainly by artists who live in or originate from Rethymnon.
BEACH VOLLEY TOURNAMENT From the beginning of June until 1st of July
On the sandy beach of the historical centre of the city, local and foreign teams participate in this unique festival of sport set beside the Venetian harbor.
On the sandy beach of the historical centre of the city, local and foreign teams participate in this unique festival of sport set beside the Venetian harbor.
CRETAN DIET FESTIVAL 1st week of July
The Rethymno Public Garden will be a welcoming place in the heart of the city, where you can try excellent Cretan wine, taste traditional food from fresh ingredients of the Cretan land, listen to traditional Cretan music from local artists, meet, talk and learn from the producers about nature, share ideas and moments from their daily life.
The Rethymno Public Garden will be a welcoming place in the heart of the city, where you can try excellent Cretan wine, taste traditional food from fresh ingredients of the Cretan land, listen to traditional Cretan music from local artists, meet, talk and learn from the producers about nature, share ideas and moments from their daily life.
CRETAN WINE FESTIVAL
Every summer the town of Rethymnohosts its wine festival – a 2-week celebration of Cretan wine, music and dance. An entrance fee was charged, you bring a carafe and some glasses, and you could drink as much wine as you want, whilst listening to some very good Cretan music and watching some fantastic dancing.
Every summer the town of Rethymnohosts its wine festival – a 2-week celebration of Cretan wine, music and dance. An entrance fee was charged, you bring a carafe and some glasses, and you could drink as much wine as you want, whilst listening to some very good Cretan music and watching some fantastic dancing.
RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL -August
Every summer the festival inspires us with music and colorful images of the past. Hundreds of artists from all over the world gather each year in Rethymno to participate in the festival with theatrical, music and dance performances, art exhibitions .
Every summer the festival inspires us with music and colorful images of the past. Hundreds of artists from all over the world gather each year in Rethymno to participate in the festival with theatrical, music and dance performances, art exhibitions .
CELEBRATION OF THE HOLY VIRGIN 15th of August
In August the 15th the celebration of the Holy Virgin is held with religious ceremonies and great feasts with food, wine and dances all around the prefecture of Rethymno and in the entire island of Crete.
In August the 15th the celebration of the Holy Virgin is held with religious ceremonies and great feasts with food, wine and dances all around the prefecture of Rethymno and in the entire island of Crete.
NATIONAL ANNIVERSARY 28th October
This day is characterized by military parades. It is also called "Ohi Day", meaning Day of No, in honor to the negative answer of the Greeks when the Italians asked them to surrender during World War II, on October 28th, 1940.
This day is characterized by military parades. It is also called "Ohi Day", meaning Day of No, in honor to the negative answer of the Greeks when the Italians asked them to surrender during World War II, on October 28th, 1940.
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