A beautiful evening dedicated to the 40 years of the Kazantzakis Museum
The summer cycle of events for the celebrations of the 40 years of operation of the Nikos Kazantzakis Museum closed on Thursday, August 3rd in Myrtia with an emotional evening. G. Anemoyiannis Square, which bears the name of the Founder of the Museum, was flooded with people who had the opportunity, during this Central Anniversary Event, to take a 40-year journey learning about known and unknown moments and people of the Museum's history.
The event started with the keynote address by Prof. Michalis Taroudakis, Chairman of the Board of Directors. Kazantzakis Museum, which presented the role of museums in today's society and how the Nikos Kazantzakis Museum faces the challenges of the times.
This was followed by the awarding ceremony to three personalities who, with their work and contribution, helped the Museum evolve from a regional house-museum to a modern literary museum, recognized by the Ministry of Culture, but also to a very important cultural cell in Crete inland. This is Mr. Giorgos Stasinakis, President of the International Society of Friends of Nikos Kazantzakis, who, as a small recognition of his support to the Museum and of his key importance in the worldwide dissemination of Kazantzakis' speech, was declared an honorary member of the Board of Directors of the Museum, Mr. Stavros Arnautaki, Regional Governor of Crete, who is personally always next to the Museum with the Region of Crete being a constant supporter of the Museum's activities and Ms. Varvara Tsaka, former Director of the Museum, who with her 20-year presence at the Directorate of the Museum led it to international and domestic acclaim and recognition. To Mr. Arnautakis and Mrs. Chaka was awarded an honorary plaque.
Then Ms. Paraskevi Vassiliadis, Curator of Collections-Deputy Director of the Museum, presented the 40-year course of the Nikos Kazantzakis Museum, a difficult and uphill course, but which is done with love and respect for the person of the great author. The retrospective of the Museum's history was completed with the screening of the anniversary documentary "The Odyssey of a Museum", a new production of the Kazantzakis Museum.
The evening ended with a unique musical experience with the concert of the New Cretan Quartet of the Municipality of Heraklion consisting of G. Mageiropoulos (violin), G. Chliavora (violin), S. Symeonidis (viola) and K. Spyridakis (cello).
A treat from the Museum followed. The general coordination of the event was done by Ms. Marilena Milathianaki, Director of the Museum.
Apart from the honored persons, present at the event were Mr. Vangelis Zaharis, President of the Regional Council, Mrs. Irini Houdetsanaki, Vice-Regional Governor, Mr. Kostis Fasoulakis, Appointed Advisor for Culture and Hellenism Abroad of the Region of Crete and member of the Board of Directors. of the Museum, Ms. Gogo Milaki, Mr. Giorgos Pitsoulis and Mr. Nikos Chronakis, Regional Councilors, Mr. Manolis Kokosalis, Mayor of Archanos-Asterousia and member of the Board of Directors. of the Museum, Ms. Rena Papadaki and Ms. Stella Archontaki, Deputy Mayors of the Municipality of Heraklion, Ms. Katerina Zografistou, President of the Greek Branch of D.EF.NK., Ms. Niki Stavrou, Copyright Holder of the work of Nikos Kazantzakis, Mr. Stelios Matzapetakis, Honorary Chairman of the Board of Directors. of the Museum, Mr. Rousos Kypriotakis, former Mayor of Archanos-Asterousia, several Deputy Mayors of the Municipality of Archanos-Asterousia, Representatives of the Pan-Cretan Council of Cretans and members of the D.E.F.N.K. from all over the world who had the opportunity to tour the Museum's Permanent Exhibition before the start of the event.
The event took place under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture with the co-organization of the Region of Crete, the support of the Municipalities of Archano-Asterousia and Heraklion and the Cultural Association of Myrtia and sponsored by the Karatzi Group SA. and the Great Sponsor of the Museum Mr. Evangelos Marinakis.
