17 CRETAN YOUTH FROM AUSTRALIA FOR 14 DAYS STRAIGHT. A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE
The Cretan Youth of Australia & New Zealand arrived in Athens on Saturday 8th July to commence their fourteen-day program in Greece. Everyone was very warmly welcomed at the St. Andreas Military Resort with the support of CLIMS and the hospitality of the Hellenic Defence Forces.
DAY 2. The Cretan Youth of Australia & New Zealand program saw everyone travel to Salamina which is one of Greece’s largest Naval Bases. Everyone received a guided tour of Greece’s Naval War Ships and Naval Submarines. We were guided by our leader from CLIMS Commodore Leonidas Anagnostopoulos, and warmly received by the Governor of the Submarine Commander Manolis Psaroudakis, Frigate Governor Captain Christos Spais and Head of Public Relations Lieutenant Commander Andreas Panou. The Evening was capped off with a surprise out of program visit to the Kostas Argiros Concert at the Theatre Petras called Melina Merkouri in Attica amongst a lazy 5000 people.
DAY 3. The Cretan Youth of Australia & New Zealand headed into Athens for a Private tour of the Hellenic Presidential Palace. The Group was honoured that it had the opportunity to meet the President of the Hellenic Republic Mrs. Katerina Sakelaropoulou and exchange greetings and present her with a gift, and then continued to the Hellenic Presidential Guard Evzones headquarters where the Youth were greeted by the Director Lieutenant Colonel Elias Karmiris and the Director of the Presidential Office Rear Admiral Panos Mikros αnd were given a guided tour including the making of the costumes, a training exercise, a special video presentation, and of course the changing of guard. Gifts were exchanged amongst both groups. After lunch at the Officers Club the group then headed for the Acropolis Museum for a guided tour with Mrs. Katerina Tsoutsouliga. Following the Museum, the group climbed the Acropolis to visit the Parthenon. The night finished off with an evening visit at the Panathinaiko Stadium (Kalimarmaro).
DAY 4. The Cretan Youth of Australia & New Zealand Youth Trip to Greece included a fantastic morning at the Tanagra Airfield Base greeted by the Director of the Base Lieutenant General Stefanos Ambouleris. The program included a special Video Presentation, several Flight Simulations and of course a visit to Greece’s new War planes the Rafale 3FR with all the youth sitting inside it. The youth were treated to a lunch at the Private Officers Club. Whilst on the Base the Youth were lucky to have witnessed 4 New planes take off.
DAY 5. The Cretan Youth of Australia & New Zealand Program included a visit to the Special Forces Training Camp greeted by the Director Colonel Georgios Gavounos. The youth had the opportunity to witness and take part in live first aid exercises, warfare training, mountain climbing, underwater survival and many more. From there we headed to the Ministry for Defence where the Youth were greeted by the Minister for Defence Nikolaos Hardalias and the leader of the Defence Forces General Konstantinos Floros in Greece’s Pentagon.
It should be noted that both the President of the Cretan Federation of Australia & NZ Mr. Tony Tsourdalakis and General Konstantinos Floros in the presence of Minister Hardalias all agreed to the success of the Youth Program announcing the continuation of it for the next five years every September during school holidays open to all the Greek Youth of Oceania run by CLIMS and the Cretan Federation of Australia & New Zealand. Finally, a farewell lunch was hosted by the Defence Hierarchy and CLIMS leadership for the Youth in the Ministerial Officers Club
Following on from the lunch the group visited Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Athens. Everyone was warmly greeted by the General Secretary for Greeks Abroad and public Diplomacy Mr. Ioannis Chrysoulakis who spoke to our Youth and welcomed them with heartfelt words regarding their role as Crete’s Ambassadors in Australia. He spoke of the exceptional relationship between the Federation and the Ministry. He presented all the youth with a special gift. The Cretan Federation of Australia & New Zealand presented Mr. Chrysoulakis with a framed Medal for the Battle of Crete. The final evening in Athens included a night out at Rooftop 360 at Monastiraki under the lit Parthenon, celebrating the Federation Presidents Birthday.
DAY 6. The Cretan Youth of Australia and New Zealand arrived in Chania after departing Athens early in the morning. First stop had to be the tomb of our great Ethnarch Eleftherios Venizelos were the Cretan Youth of Australia & New Zealand paid its respects by laying a wreath, holding a minute’s silence as well as performing an impromptu Cretan Dance the Pentozalis. Following that the group had the opportunity to visit the statue of the Great Ethnomartyr Spiros Kagiales who fell heroically for Crete’s liberation.
Next stop included the residence of our Ethnarch Eleftherios Venizelos in Halepa where the group was greeted by the Managing Director Nikolaos Papadakis and were given a guided tour of the Home by Eleftheria Varouhakis. Following on, the group travelled to the Nautical Museum of Crete, where the Chairman of the Board Mr. Manolis Petrakis was waiting to welcome the Youth. They were afforded a guided tour of the Museum in particular the Australian Naval section on the Battle of Crete by local Historian Mr Dimitris Tsatsaronakis. The group was then treated to a sumptuous lunch in the Chania old Harbour by Mr. Petrakis and his Board.
The day finished with an amazing Cultural experience in the heart of Chania, in front of the Holy Metropolis. The Cretan Youth of Australia wrote history, by managing to form, in less than 2 months, a first ever National Dance Group from Oceania under the guidance and instruction of former President of the Cretan Association of New South Wales Mr. Paul Spanoudakis. With Youth from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane who put on a brilliant performance for the people of Chania, making their grandparents proud.
Hosted by the Holy Metropolis of Kydonias & Apokoronou and the Metropolitan Damaskinos, over 1500 people attended the music and dance Concert which was supported by the Cultural Association of Chania Viglatores and most talented Lyrist Nikos Karkanis and his band Both Dance Groups put on a stellar performance in unison sending the message of Unity and collaboration amongst Greece and Australia.
It should be noted that the Holy Metropolis of Kydonias & Apokoronou awarded the Cretan Federation of Australia & N.Z. President Mr. Tony Tsourdalakis with an award of Ευαρέσκεια for his voluntary work in the Community of Australia.
DAY 7. The Cretan Youth of Australia & New Zealand commenced their ANZAC Tour of Chaia from the 42nd Street Memorial in Tsikalaria which was financially supported by the Cretans of Australia. Next stop was the Commonwealth War Cemetery in Souda Bay. The youth were asked to locate an Australian soldier and say a small prayer in their memory paying their respects for the ultimate sacrifice that they paid. Following on they visited the Mournies Memorial which was funded by the Battle of Crete & Greece Commemorative Council of Victoria, then onto the Skines Memorial funded by the Pancretan Association of Melbourne and then closed the tour with the Tavronitis Bridge and of course the Maleme Airfield. Wreaths were laid by the Youth in memory of all the Allied soldiers that fought and fell during the Battle of Crete.
The day also included a Cultural opportunity and visit to the Cultural Association of Chania Viglatores. The group was greeted with a warm welcome by its Leader Mr. Sifis Viglakis and his lovely team. The National Dance Group did an impromptu Dance Practice at the Viglatores Headquarters, which was followed by a lovely lunch at the Agia Marina Beach Club.
The Evening closed with a dinner hosted by the National Centre for Research Eleftherios Venizelos in Chania and it’s Director Mr. Nikolaos Papadakis, who really enjoyed talking to the Youth and listening to their stories. The group was then treated to a late Glendi in Souda to the tunes of Andreas Manolarakis with another 2000 people in the Soccer Stadium.
DAY 8. The Cretan Youth of Australia & New Zealand had a relatively free day. The youth were given the opportunity to go to the beach, so the group headed to Sfakia for a beach day. Whilst in Sfakia the Youth visited the Battle of Crete Evacuation Memorial. The Cretan Youth laid a wreath in memory of those prisoners of war that never managed to evacuate the island. The Cultural Association of Chania Viglatores hosted the Youth to a luncheon in Sfakia.
DAY 9. The Cretan Youth of Australia & New Zealand departed Chania and headed for the City of Rethymno which included a major highlight in the program. The only religious component in the tour included the Sunday morning church Service at Holy Monastery of ARKADI. Our Youth honoured their forefathers and those that fell to avoid Ottoman Rule by attending the Church Service in Traditional costume. It was an honour to have the presence of Metropolitan of Rethymno & Avlopotamou
PRODROMOS who spoke from the heart, with passion and much love and respect. He invited the Cretans of Australia to join him in September when he arrives in Sydney for a special ceremony at the tomb of the late Archbishop Stylianos. Following the Church Service Rev. Father Theologos Papalevizakis conducted a very moving Trisagion Service inside the gunpowder room in memory of all the fallen of the Holocaust of the Arkadi. The Abott of the Monastery Titos Vamvakas was so kind to offer a luncheon to the entire Australian Contingent. The group was also greeted with much love and warmth and received special gifts from the Arkadi Monastery from Rev. Father Georgios Galerakis.
The evening of Day 9 included a unique cultural experience for all the contingent since it was the first time they had the opportunity to partake in a Rethemniotiki Kantada. It’s fitting to note that the Kantada (Traditional Serenade) commenced at the footsteps of the Saint Tesseris Martyrs Cathedral of Rethymno, it continued through the streets of Rethymno and was concluded at the Square of the unknown Soldier.
The event was hosted and organised by the Cultural Association of Rethymno Tzanidakis and included Cretan Musicians Sifis Tsourdalakis, Babis Voulgarakis, Manolis Kydonakis. Members of the Tzanidakis group would offer shots of Raki and sweets as part of the Cretan Hospitality, to people walking past or stopping to view and to all people generally taking part. Both the Tzanidakis Dance Group and the CYANZ National Dance Group completed the Kantada with a Joint Pentozalis showcasing collaboration and unification to everyone. The night ended with a Traditional Cretan Dinner hosted by the Cultural Association of Tzanidakis where gifts were exchanged.
DAY 10 of the Cretan Youth of Australia & New Zealand tour included a full ANZAC Tour of Rethymno commencing at the Preveli Monastery which was the Battle of Crete main evacuation point to the south of Crete. Next stop included The Hellenic Australian Memorial that is dedicated to the BOC and managed by the Commonwealth, the Youth then visited the Police Academy of Crete and the memorial and the museum that has several Australian Veterans original items inside the museum. The Youth also paid their respects to Anzacs in Crete that have passed away and lay in Crete soil.
That same afternoon the Cultural Association of Rethymno Tzanidakis hosted our Youth at their Dance School with a brief guided tour of the premises and then followed a full 90-minute Dance Lesson for all the Youth.
After a well-earned break the Day included a Cultural experience in the Village of Spili in the district of Agios Vasilios and prefect of Rethymno. The Municipality of Agios Vasilios in conjunction with the Cretan Federation of Australia & New Zealand co-hosted a Music and Dance Concert to honour 20 of Crete’s most talented Μαντιναδολόγους and Στιχουργούς. The highlight of the night was the dance performances by the Omilos Vrakoforon Kritis and of course our new National Dance Group of the Cretan Federation of Australia & New Zealand with musicians Nikos Manioudakis, Sifis Tsourdalakis, Pantelis Skarakis and Vagelis Vardakis. It should be noted that the Cretan Youth received a standing ovation when they were asked to say their names and their grandparents’ villages. Following the concert a special dinner was hosted by the Mayor Ioannis Tatarakis for the awardees, the Dancers from Australia etc.
DAY 11. The Cretan Youth of Australia & N.Z. had a free day in Rethymno with the option of choosing what t do. The majority headed to the Beach, others did some shopping, others sipping a coffee on Crete’s longest Παραλία, but some got a Cultural fix. First stop was Kostas Mountakis statue and then of to Manolis Stagakis Lyra Shop. The grandson of Stagakis gave the few youths, a guided tour, a brief insight into how the Lyres are made and all the relevant specifics. In the few hours at the shop several Cretan Musicians paying their visit and joining the jam sessions. Following on from that all youth were invited to the Omilos Vrakoforon Kritis headquarters for a tour and an impromptu Parea. The Omilos President Mr. Giannis Petrakis handed out gifts and expressed his love.
DAY 12. The Cretan Youth of Australia & New Zealand took part in the opening of the 6th International Cretan Congress in Agios Nikolaos in the prefect of Lasithi. The day included the opening Ceremony with our National Youth President Eirini Kyriakakis presenting her speech and our Cretan Australian Youth Ana Tsourdalakis singing the national Anthem of Greece for all delegates.
Later that day our Youth took the boat from Elounda and had the opportunity to visit the very historic island of Spinalonga having a guided tour. Later that evening the National Dance Group performed in Agios Nikolaos for all the delegates and in particular, His Eminence Metropolitan of New Zealand MYRON, the General Secretary for Greeks Abroad Mr. Ioannis Chrysoulakis, the Governor of Crete Mr. Stavros Arnaoutakis as well as the Mayor of Agios Nikolaos Mr. Antonis Zervos and other dignitaries present. Musicians Giorgos Nikiforos Zervakis and his band entertained everyone till early hours of the morning.
DAY 13. The Cretan Youth of Australia & New Zealand continued to take part in the program of the 6th International Cretan Congress in Agios Nikolaos in the prefect of Lasithi. The day included the official Cretan Youth Meeting in the morning were all the Youth from Australia, Europe and Greece presented their activities from their host cities and Associations. The Youth decided to formally request permission from the World Council of Cretans to formalise their existence by August 2024.
The day continued with a very well organised Safari Tour of the entire region of Lasithi and in particular the plateau of Oropedio. The Youth were shown true Cretan hospitality in certain villages and regions. Following this a special Trisagion Service was held at the Oropedio Memorial in memory of all those that passed away by his Eminence Metropolitan of Petras and Heronisou Gerasimos.
The day ended with a Traditional Cretan Glendi in Lasintho owned by the Perisinakis Family and hosted by the Mayor of Oropedio Lasithiou Mr. Giannis Stefanakis. Lasintho is a wonderful area with a beautiful, picturesque setting, traditional Museum, Rakokazano and of course the Church of St. Efraim. Our National Dance Group performed for the very last time in their Touring Polo shirts to the delegates delight to the tunes of Giorgos Glykokokalos and his band.
DAY 14. The Cretan Youth of Australia and New Zealand commenced their final day, with a trip to Sitia. Departing Agios Nikolaos heading for Sitia, the Youth had the opportunity to view all the sights at the geological park guided by local historian Eleftheria Koumendaki. The youth also stopped at the Holy Monastery of Toplou, where a TV crew was awaiting their arrival for media interviews, and they were given a tour by the Abbott Archimandrite Amvrosios.
The youth then had the opportunity for a relaxing afternoon at the famous Vai Beach with the hundreds of palm trees, followed by lunch. The evening included a cultural experience including a Music and theatrical performance depicting the Erotokritos love story inside the fortress of Kazarmas in the presence of His Eminence of Sitia, Kyrillos.
The performance was followed by the farewell dinner at the Itanos restaurant in Sitia hosted by the Mayor, Mr Giorgos Zervakis. The musicians that entertained us included Vangelis Vardakis and Kostas Avisinos. It was an emotional farewell for all our Youth since they had built everlasting friendships over the 14-day journey, a trip they will never forget.
PRESIDENTS NOTE
As the Cretan Youth of Australia & New Zealand 2023 Tour of Greece came to an end I would like to convey some comments to everyone.
My heartfelt thanks to all the Youth that joined this trip which was an experience for everyone. The program was exciting and enjoying, possibly slightly challenging at times for some but everyone came through with flying colours. It had elements of education, religion, history, culture, social activity, folklore and more.
My sincere thanks to the parents for entrusting their children with us which for some youth was a trip of a lifetime, and of course the Associations that supported the trip in 2023. I’m sure more Associations will support the trip in 2024 having seen the results. I would like to congratulate and name each and every Youth member that joined the tour.
Patricia Arvanitagis, Alexia Georgas, Antonio Arvanitagis from Brisbane, Dylan Giannoulis, Irene Vitetzakis, Stamatis Belivanis, Angelique Belivanis, Alexander Mountakis, Christopher Townsend, Vayia Spanoudakis Joanna Rakis from Sydney and Christo Stavrinidis, Ana Tsourdalakis, Marina Stavrinidis, Parissa Tsourdalakis, Mathew Tsakos and Manolis Adamakis from Melbourne.
You made us all proud because, firstly, you represented yourselves, you represented Australia, you represented our Federation, you represented your cities, you represented your families and of course your grandparents.
Well done to each and every one of you. I am personally very proud of all of you. Keep the lifelong friendships you made and nurture them through our National Organisation or should I say YOUR National Organisation.
Certainly, the launch of the National Dance Group in Crete in 2023 is something our Federation will continue to grow for the future, and I would like to publicly thank the Dance Teacher Paul Spanoudakis who took on the difficult task of co ordinating everyone for several months, initially via the chat.
I would also like to thank the other two senior members on the trip Emmanuel Vitetzakis and Nina Saisanas who supported and assisted in every way possible. I could not have completed this trip without you both.
For those parents wanting to register their Youth on the Tour of Greece for 2024 please email the Federation at [email protected]
Yours Fraternally
Tony Tsourdalakis