10th Amari Green Festival – In the Heart of Crete
July 18 - July 21
Get ready to experience the heart of Crete at the 10th Amari Green Festival – In the Heart of Crete! From July 18th to 21st, 2025, the entire Amari valley transforms into a vibrant, open-air workshop of culture, nature, and tradition. This unique four-day festival, celebrating its tenth anniversary, unites people, places, and stories across the picturesque villages of Amari.
This year’s festival theme, “How beautiful it was in our villages with wonderful festivals,” takes you on a journey back in time, reliving the authentic spirit of traditional Cretan celebrations. Expect spontaneous evenings in cafes and squares, community meals, the enchanting sounds of the lyra, and generations dancing hand-in-hand. Through a diverse program of over 40 events, the festival honors the roots of local festivities, showcasing them not just as entertainment but as profound social and cultural experiences that unite communities and pass down the wisdom and joy of ancestors.
A Multifaceted Mosaic of Experiences
The Amari Green Festival is a testament to sustainable development and the promotion of local culture. It’s a collaborative effort, bringing together the Municipality of Amari, the Region of Crete, the Regional Unit of Rethymno, the Chamber of Rethymno, and the Psiloritis UNESCO Global Geopark. Get ready for a rich tapestry of activities:
- Music & Traditional Celebrations: Immerse yourself in the soul-stirring sounds of Crete with concerts and traditional music performances. Experience the joyous atmosphere as local groups bring the spirit of old Cretan festivals to life with song and dance.
- Gastronomy & Amari Flavors: Delight your taste buds with traditional culinary workshops, where you’ll learn to prepare local delicacies like sausages, “apakia” (smoked pork), “syglina” (cured pork), Cretan “xinochondros” (sour trahanas), and traditional bread baked in a wood-fired oven. Savor the famous Amari pies (myzithropita, sarikopita, neropita) and traditional pork dishes.
- Art, Photography & Children’s Activities: Unleash your creativity with children’s craft workshops, explore the traditional art of embroidery, and craft ceramics using local Amari clay. Discover captivating photography exhibitions showcasing old village festivals and embark on virtual digital journeys through the history of the Municipality of Amari (1821-1913). Enjoy enchanting open-air cinema nights featuring Greek films.
- Nature Tours & UNESCO Geopark: Connect with the breathtaking natural beauty of the region. Take a stroll through a “Bee Garden” to learn about the magical world of bees, cycle through the scenic Amari landscape, and learn about the important work of ARCHELON, the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece. Explore the Psiloritis UNESCO Global Geopark with guided tours.
- Wine Tastings & Vineyard Walks: Indulge in the rich winemaking tradition of Crete with guided vineyard walks and exquisite wine tastings at local wineries.
- Panigyria with Dance, Friends & Songs: Experience the true essence of a Cretan “panigiri” – a vibrant celebration filled with dance, camaraderie, and traditional songs.
- Science & Knowledge: Engage your mind with insightful talks on creative economy, alcohol consumption, the Cretan language, and sustainable practices for agriculture and livestock farming in Psiloritis.
- Sports & Games: Witness the thrilling finals of the 5×5 championship and participate in the inaugural Amari Green Treasure Hunt!
Detailed Program
Date |
Time |
Location |
Description |
Fri, Jul 18 |
9:00 – 12:00 |
Agia Fotini Town Hall, Fourfouras Town Hall & PANAKRON Estate |
Book collection for exchange. |
18:00 – 19:00 |
5×5 football preliminary matches. |
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19:30 – 20:30 |
Tour of the School Life Museum. |
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19:30 – 20:30 |
Talk: “Entertainment and alcohol use.” Speaker: Dr. Maria Papadakaki, Assoc. Prof. & Chair, Dept. of Social Work, Hellenic Med. Univ. |
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21:00 |
Alcohol documentary screening. |
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18:00 – 20:00 |
Asomaton School / PANAKRON Estate Playground |
Children’s handicraft workshop: “Children’s hands embroidering.” Introduction to traditional embroidery. Documentary screening: “Memoirs of the Cretan war for the autonomy of Greece.” |
|
18:00 – 20:00 |
Asomaton School / PANAKRON Estate |
Opening the chest of time with photos from Amari festivals of the previous century – Photo exhibition setup. |
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19:30 – 21:00 |
Asomaton School / PANAKRON Estate |
Gastronomy: Traditional culinary approach to pork: cutting – sorting. Preparation of Sausages, Apakia, Syglina, Syntrima, Tsigarides. |
|
20:30 – 21:00 |
Asomaton School / PANAKRON Estate |
Virtual digital journey through the history of the Municipality of Amari (1821 – 1913). Presentation of the ongoing program for the creation of a digital repository of intangible historical heritage, collective memory, and cultural tradition, focusing on the historical period of the 1821 Revolution in the Amari area and the role played by important personalities from the Revolution until the liberation of Crete in 1912. |
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22:00 |
Asomaton School / PANAKRON Estate |
Summer cinema night! Screening of the film “In the Time of the Greeks” by Lakis Papastathis. |
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Sat, Jul 19 |
9:30 – 12:00 |
Walk in the Bee Garden: Tour of the magical world of Bees. |
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9:00 – 12:00 |
“Preparation of Hontros (Cretan Trahanas).” Presentation of sour trahanas preparation by the Amari – Opsigias Women’s Association. |
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9:00 – 12:00 |
Traditional bread making in a wood oven by the Cultural Association of Agios Ioannis “O Kyminaris”. |
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9:00 – 12:00 |
Guided tour and acquaintance with our Culture and History! Tour – talk about the settlement of Potamon lost in the lake. Tour of the KOTSIFIS estate. |
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18:00 – 20:00 |
Fourfouras & Meronas 5×5 field |
5×5 Championship semi-final matches. |
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18:00 – 20:00 |
Children’s handicraft workshop: “Painting in Amari nature for nature.” By Katerina Giavridi, educator – artist. |
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18:00 |
“Bike ride in Amari nature!” Discover the beauties of the Amari landscape on the route Agia Fotini – Meronas – Neus Amari – Opsigias – Asomaton School – finish at PANAKRON Estate. In collaboration with ATLAS Rethymno Cycling Club. |
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18:00 – 22:00 |
Asomaton School / PANAKRON Estate |
Book exchange: “Books change hands and villages to be re-read.” Bring your read books and exchange them. |
|
19:00 |
Asomaton School / PANAKRON Estate |
Opening of the photo exhibition “Festivals in our villages in the previous century.” |
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19:30 – 21:15 |
Asomaton School / PANAKRON Estate |
Round table discussions: “5 generations discuss Amari festivals!” and “The dance style and ethos in festivals.” |
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19:30 – 21:00 |
Asomaton School / PANAKRON Estate |
“Traditional Amari Pies.” Preparation and presentation of various types of traditional pies by the Petrochori Cultural Association. |
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20:00 – 21:00 |
Asomaton School / PANAKRON Estate |
Cultural Associations present traditional pork dishes. Tasting – treat. |
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21:00 – 22:00 |
Asomaton School / PANAKRON Estate |
Concert: A musical journey with the magical voice of Eugenia Toli – Damavoliti! (daoulaki, vocals), Kyrillos Damavolitis (laouto, vocals). |
|
22:00 – 00:00 |
Asomaton School / PANAKRON Estate |
“I will take the mountains with me.” Concert with Stelios Bikakis and his band. |
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Sun, Jul 20 |
8:00 – 12:00 |
Celebrating Prophet Elias. Liturgy and hospitality by the village Cultural Associations. |
|
11:00 – 14:00 |
Asomaton School / PANAKRON Estate |
Ceramic making with clay from Amari! Meeting to collect clay, presentation of clay preparation, participants make an object with local clay. Art direction: Mr. Giorgos Vardaxis. |
|
11:00 – 18:00 |
Asomaton School / PANAKRON Estate |
“1st Amari Green Treasure Hunt!” Electronic – digital journey through the Municipality of Amari and its history. |
|
17:00 – 22:00 |
Asomaton School / PANAKRON Estate |
Book exchange: “Books change hands and villages to be re-read.” |
|
17:00 – 22:00 |
Asomaton School / PANAKRON Estate |
“The Smile of the Child” Organization Bazaar to support their actions. |
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12:00 – 15:00 |
Asomaton School / PANAKRON Estate |
Basketball match between the Municipality of Amari and citizens. |
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19:00 – 19:30 |
Asomaton School / PANAKRON Estate |
Talk: “Creative economy: a sector closely linked to sustainable local development.” Speaker: Manolis Manioudakis, Economic Analyst – PhD & PostDoc, executive of INEMY of ESEE. |
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21:00 – 22:00 |
Asomaton School / PANAKRON Estate |
Welcome parties from village festivals and enjoy their fun and dance! |
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22:00 – 00:00 |
Asomaton School / PANAKRON Estate |
“Melodies and songs of the festivals of Crete and Greece!” A journey through the rich and diverse musical tradition of Greece. Featuring Zacharias Spyridakis (lyra – vocals), Avgerini Gatsi (vocals – accordion – ney), Kostas Poulianakis (instruments, percussion), Alexandros Kanakakis (kanonaki), Nikos Paraoulakis (ney – askomantoura – flutes – recorders), Kostas Avyssinos (vocals – laouto – mandolin – boulgari), Giannis Melabianakis (bouzouki – vocals – oud). |
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Mon, Jul 21 |
09:00 – 12:00 |
Tour of the Holy Monastery of Asomaton. Monastic garden and Amari nature: tour and advice. Tour of the Hagiography and Weaving workshop. |
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11:30 – 12:30 |
Tour of Agios Antonios and Patsos gorge. |
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12:00 – 13:30 |
Vineyard walk, tour of Kourkoulou Winery and wine tasting. |
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18:00 |
5×5 Championship Final. |
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17:00 – 19:00 |
Asomaton School / PANAKRON Estate |
Ceramic making with clay from Amari! (Repeat from Sunday) |
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17:00 – 22:00 |
Asomaton School / PANAKRON Estate |
Actions and initiatives of Psiloritis Geopark 2025. |
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17:00 – 22:00 |
Asomaton School / PANAKRON Estate |
Exhibitions of local producers and artists – creators from all over Psiloritis. |
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17:00 – 22:00 |
Asomaton School / PANAKRON Estate |
“The Smile of the Child” Organization Bazaar. |
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18:00 |
Asomaton School / PANAKRON Estate |
ARCHELON Association: Information booth – talk on ARCHELON’s work and the importance of sea turtle protection. Floor game for children. |
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19:30 – 20:30 |
Asomaton School / PANAKRON Estate |
Talks: “The past, present and future of the Cretan Language” by Marina Tsakosta, Professor, Preschool Education Dept., University of Crete. “Behaviors and good practices for the coexistence of Agriculture and Livestock in Psiloritis based on past principles” by Georgios Nikolakakis, Emeritus Professor, Sociology Dept., University of Crete. |
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21:00 – 22:15 |
Asomaton School / PANAKRON Estate |
Concert with the Pavlos Vlastos Choir. Conducted by Antonis Micheloudakis. Performers: Michalis Pavlakis (lyra – lyraki – vocals), Stelios Iliakis (laouto), Vassilis Nikoloudakis (guitar), Stelios Moulakakis (percussion). |
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22:15 – 22:15 |
Asomaton School / PANAKRON Estate |
Concert “The basil smells: songs of the stool and the company.” Charalambos Aggelakis, Despina Anastasopoulou, Vassilis Papadakis, Stergios Karaiskos, Nikiforos Volanakis, Stelios Moulakakis. |
Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich culture, stunning nature, and warm hospitality of Amari! For more information and detailed event schedules, please visit the Municipality of Amari website and the Amari Green Festival’s social media channels.