Diverse perspectives beyond clichés.

Crete is often seen through the lens of tradition, but these customs can get misunderstood or even misrepresented. The island holds values like moderation, discipline, and humility, yet sometimes behaviors stray from these principles, and that leads to skewed views of local culture.

At the same time, Crete faces real social challenges—like the rise in family violence and conflicts from old disputes. Still, many people on the island stick to a respectful attitude toward their heritage and offer positive examples that push back against the usual stereotypes.

Their stories paint a more balanced, genuine picture of Cretan life.

Marilena Milathianaki, Director of the Kazantzakis Museum

Marilena Milathianaki grew up near Heraklion in a village where the land was everything. Her father tended the vines and olive trees with almost parental care, and her mother was passionate about books and travel.

These influences shaped Marilena’s values and her respect for tradition. Her parents taught her and her siblings to cherish the Cretan land, work hard, act with integrity, and keep dreaming—even if it meant looking beyond the village.

Those lessons stuck. During her studies in Pedagogy in Athens, her bond with Crete grew even stronger.

She returned home, dedicating herself to her people and culture. For her, Crete isn’t just a place—it’s central to who she is.

One childhood memory stands out: family Sundays at the port, watching ships vanish into the horizon. Later, they’d head to the airport to see planes disappear into the sky.

Those moments opened her eyes to the world beyond her village and sparked her lifelong love for travel. She still chases that feeling.

Marilena describes Crete as unpredictable and proud, generous but strict. She embraces these contradictions fully.

She feels a deep connection to the landscape, especially Mount Juktas. From its top, you can see Mount Psiloritis, the Lasithi mountains, the Cretan Sea, the fortress of Nikiforos Fokas, wide plains, and the colorful village of Archanes.

Her work at the Kazantzakis Museum is personal. She sees it as both a gift and a responsibility—to serve the legacy of Nikos Kazantzakis and Crete itself.

The museum holds over 50,000 documents about Kazantzakis’s life and works. Marilena and her team preserve these with care, making sure they’re studied and shared responsibly.

It’s not just about preservation, though. The museum welcomes students and the public every day, aiming to inspire learning and connection to Kazantzakis’s ideas and Cretan heritage.

This approach reflects Marilena’s belief that culture should stay alive—and matter to people.

Key Elements of Marilena’s Role:

Evangelia Orfanoudaki, Educator and Storyteller

Evangelia Orfanoudaki is a native of Crete who blends her background in education with a knack for storytelling. She grew up in two different parts of the island: first in Archanes, near Heraklion, and then in Mari, Rethymno.

This mix of places gave her a blend of traditional passion and a more modern outlook. Her childhood was shaped by close contact with nature and rural life.

The scent of herbs like thyme, oregano, and basil—fresh or dried—still brings her back to the soul of Cretan land. Her memories are full of handling earth, feeling its texture, and connecting to the hard work of older generations.

Evangelia grew up in a family surrounded by greenhouses, so she learned a lot about tomatoes and farming. At first, she wanted to be a dancer or actress, but at eighteen, her path shifted toward storytelling.

She found a way to merge her passions—education, movement, and theatre—into one role. Now, she teaches and performs, bringing together both teaching and artistic expression.

Her storytelling style is tightly linked to Cretan culture and spirit. She weaves together traditional tales and contemporary elements, sharing not just history but everyday intensity and passion.

Evangelia describes Cretans as full of strong feelings, especially enthusiasm and dedication. She proudly calls herself a modern “teller of tales.”

Her work goes beyond simple narration; it’s about preserving culture and educating, bringing old stories to life for new audiences. She invites listeners to engage with Cretan identity on a sensory and emotional level—connecting words to smells, colors, and textures.

Key Aspects of Evangelia’s Work and Identity:

Her stories often carry the scent of Cretan herbs and the colors of the island’s landscape. These details ground her narratives in reality and help keep local customs and memories alive.

Through her work, Evangelia nudges others to see Crete beyond the usual stereotypes—by feeling its essence, not just hearing about it.

Vicky Arvelaki, Documentary Director and Producer

Vicky Arvelaki is a filmmaker who focuses on stories tied to Crete, digging into its culture, history, and people. Her work captures the island’s unique identity by highlighting the lives and traditions of its different regions.

Her documentaries show the contrasts within Crete—ruggedness in some places, warmth in others—and how these differences create a complex but connected community. She looks at how local experiences link the past with the present, forming bonds across generations.

One of her latest works, The Last Prayer: The chronicle of two executions under the shadow of Psiloritis, unfolds a detailed historical event tied to Crete’s past. This project builds a collective memory, helping viewers feel connected to history that might otherwise seem distant.

Vicky believes learning comes from connecting young people with history, creating “additive memory”—memories formed not only by direct experience but also by shared stories. This approach keeps memory alive and shapes identity.

Key aspects of her work include:

Vicky’s storytelling reminds us that no two parts of Crete are quite alike. Each village and family holds unique traits, and she weaves this diversity into her narratives.

Her work highlights how people from Crete, though sharing common roots, often identify strongly with their own village or region. This local pride shapes her films, which dig deeper than simple stereotypes.

Her documentaries encourage viewers to look closer at Crete—not just as a place of tradition, but as a living space where history and daily life meet. Through her lens, the island’s landscapes, people, and stories come alive.

Important elements in her storytelling technique:

• Personal stories reflecting broader social history
• Focus on everyday life and local customs
• Blending historical research with contemporary voices
• Visual connections between past events and current identity

Antonis Martsakis, Singer and Musician

Antonis Martsakis is all about preserving Cretan traditional music. What started as a personal passion turned into a lifelong dedication to reviving the authentic sounds of Crete.

Raised in Athens, Antonis grew up surrounded by Cretan culture. Family meals and weekend visits always celebrated their heritage. Even though there weren’t musicians in his immediate family, his grandfather’s clear singing left a mark.

Antonis began learning Cretan dances with the Piraeus Cretan Association as a kid. By eight, he picked up the violin—an instrument less popular at the time, but still traditional in his home region of Kissamos.

Since he was little, Antonis traveled often to Crete, especially to Charchalianá in Kissamos, where his grandparents lived. This place became a real anchor for him.

After his grandparents passed, he kept up the regular trips between Athens and Crete, soaking up rural life. For about eight years, he took the ferry every Friday, returning Monday mornings.

He experienced village life fully: farm work, animal care, harvesting, olive picking. These moments shaped his music and his understanding of tradition.

In 2005, working at a bank in Athens, Antonis asked for a transfer to Crete but got turned down. He quit and moved permanently to Charchalianá, focusing completely on music.

He’d started performing professionally at 15, playing at weddings and celebrations. When he felt ready to support himself with music, he committed to his childhood village.

His respect for local musical styles helped him expand his reputation beyond Kissamos. Antonis honors the distinct sounds of each locality, respecting the unique musical character in Crete’s communities.

• He respects the traditions of every Cretan area he works in
• Performs at cultural events, weddings, and festivals
• Focuses on authentic and original sounds, avoiding modernisation

Antonis Martsakis’s commitment goes beyond performing. He sees his music as a vital link to his roots and a way to keep Cretan traditions alive for future generations.

Iliana Malihin, Winemaker

Iliana Malihin feels a deep bond with Crete, especially the village of Lampini, where her mother’s from. Although born and raised in Athens, she always felt pulled toward the land and decided to make Crete her home.

She studied agronomy in Heraklion, then got a master’s in oenology in Athens, but Crete was always where she wanted to be. Her life now revolves around nature, vineyards, and olive trees.

Iliana’s work focuses on reviving the Vidiano grape, a native variety from Rethymno. She encourages local farmers to practice organic viticulture and led the effort to restore vineyards after the 2022 wildfires in Melambes.

She believes working the earth teaches patience, empathy, and persistence. Her respect for the land shapes how she views people and guides her creativity and hope.

She lives by values rooted in nature’s energy and keeps old Cretan traditions alive, adapting them for today.

Key aspects of Iliana’s approach:

• Restored damaged vineyards after 2022 wildfires
• Reintroduced traditional grape varieties to the local market
• Developed a sustainable, organic vineyard model in Rethymno
• Inspired local farmers to adopt environmentally friendly methods

Iliana’s relationship with the land is more than just work—it defines how she lives and thinks. She values the openness and hospitality rooted in Cretan culture and brings those principles to her daily life and winemaking.

Ross Daly, Musician

Ross Daly is a big figure in contemporary music, both as a composer and teacher. Originally from the British Isles, his path led him to Crete, where he’s lived since 1992, connecting deeply with the island’s culture and music.

Daly’s musical journey is guided by exploration more than fixed plans. He follows a broad sense of connection with places, sounds, and people, rather than plotting everything out.

His connection to Crete’s traditional music and the people he met there played a huge role in his decision to stay. He looks for people who live authentically, close to their own nature, rather than just following social conventions.

For Daly, that sense of authenticity is crucial. It sets people apart—makes them unique, not just copies of someone else.

Since 1975, Daly has studied Cretan music, appreciating its simplicity. He thinks that’s where its beauty lies. His work is more than performing or studying; it’s about cultural engagement and preservation.

In 1982, he started the Music Workshop “Labyrinth” in Houdetsi, a mountain village in Crete. The workshop has become a magnet for musicians worldwide, drawing thousands of students and hundreds of instructors from all over.

The village itself has grown into a crossroads of global musical traditions because of the workshop’s influence. Labyrinth is a lifelong project, reflecting decades of research into musical traditions from this region.

Over forty years, the workshop has built a vibrant community of musicians and learners, creating international connections.

Key Ideas About Ross Daly’s Musical Approach:

• Deep, instinctive connections to people, places, and sounds
• Focus on authenticity in music and life
• Valuing simplicity as beauty in music
• Commitment to education and cultural dialogue

Ross Daly’s work fuses tradition and innovation, letting ancient sounds meet global perspectives. His dedication has helped preserve and revitalize musical forms, influencing artists both local and international.

Kelly Thoma, lyra player

Kelly Thoma’s journey with the Cretan lyra started unexpectedly through her interest in Ross Daly’s music. Before discovering the lyra, she didn’t have much connection to Cretan or any other music, really.

Her learning started alongside Ross, drawing her into a musical world that stretched way beyond Crete or even Greece. She sees music not as a fixed tradition, but as art open to exploration.

At first, Kelly took music at face value, without deep knowledge. Over time, she came to appreciate the rich layers and timeless quality of these traditions, seeing them as living art rather than relics.

She tries to keep that original sense of wonder alive in her music. Kelly feels lucky to play an instrument and study a tradition that’s still vibrant and evolving.

What makes Cretan music unique, she says, is its resistance to stagnation. Creativity is ongoing, letting new works stand alongside old ones.

The tradition still draws in younger generations and fits into daily life. Kelly has a deep affection for the lyra, the instrument she uses to express herself, but admits it came into her life somewhat by chance.

Instruments are just tools—wood and strings—that help us connect with the wonder of music. Born in Piraeus but with family roots in Crete, Kelly only visited the island occasionally as a child.

Her real ties to Cretan culture deepened through her involvement with the Music Workshop Labyrinth. When Ross moved the workshop from Athens to Houtetsi in 2000, Kelly was already a part of this creative scene.

Her life now revolves around keeping this tradition alive and sharing its heritage with new audiences. She bridges tradition and innovation, honoring the past while helping Cretan music keep moving forward.

Giannis Lionakis, Head of the Volunteer Road Safety Association

Giannis Lionakis leads a volunteer group fighting to reduce road accidents in one of Europe’s deadliest regions. The area faces tough challenges—risky driving habits and poor road conditions don’t help.

The driving culture here is a mix of impatience and risky moves. Many drivers ignore road rules, like yielding at stops or keeping safe distances.

There’s often a rush to get ahead, even if it means breaking the law or putting others at risk. Lionakis says this aggressive attitude is part of a broader mindset—drivers feel overconfident, almost untouchable.

They often skip safety gear like helmets or seat belts, and drive under the influence. This behavior adds to the high number of fatal crashes.

He emphasizes teaching safe habits to younger generations. Lionakis has spoken to many schoolchildren, explaining why they need to sit safely in cars and avoid dangerous spots like the front seat.

His talks aim to build real awareness, though sometimes cultural habits at home work against the message. Among his efforts, Lionakis was one of the first in the region to push for seat belt use, stressing its life-saving value.

His experience gives him a clear view of the challenges ahead, but he’s noticed some people are starting to adopt safer attitudes because of his work.

Key Points on Road Safety Efforts

Typical Risky Behaviours Observed

• Ignoring stop signs to pass first
• Tailgating other cars in queues
• Overtaking on double lines or unsafe spots
• Believing one is invincible behind the wheel

Giannis Lionakis insists that lasting improvement needs change at every level. He combines practical education with community engagement, aiming to curb the heavy human cost on the roads.

Alexandra Theocharis, Founder of the KLOTHO Brand

Alexandra Theocharis was born and raised in Thessaloniki but has a strong connection to Crete through her mother from Rethymno. This link shaped much of her life—she visited Crete often because of family ties.

Her love for the island led her to work and settle there after her studies. She started out in education, teaching in Anogeia, where she spent her first year alone.

Nearly thirty years later, she returned to Anogeia to teach weaving courses with the University of Western Attica. That experience deepened her emotional bond with the region.

Alexandra’s personal life is also tied to Crete. She met her husband, got married, and built a family with four kids there.

Her life in Crete inspired her to blend tradition with creativity. Alongside teaching primary school, she completed a postgraduate degree in Art History.

During her studies, she worked with notable art figures, visiting studios and national archives in Athens. These experiences gave her a richer understanding of artistic heritage.

She realized art isn’t just about preserving culture—it can enhance and beautify daily life. Founding KLOTHO reflects that vision.

The brand combines ancient weaving with modern design, making products that carry Cretan tradition into the present. Alexandra’s work highlights both artistic skill and cultural identity, preserving craftsmanship while innovating for today’s markets.

Key aspects of Alexandra Theocharis and KLOTHO:

KLOTHO stands as proof of Alexandra’s commitment to craftsmanship and cultural preservation. Her work with the brand encourages a mix of heritage and new ideas, making traditional weaving feel relevant now.

Her approach shows how culture and art can be living, evolving things—not just relics. Through KLOTHO, Alexandra promotes not only Cretan tradition but also the importance of creativity in modern design.

Takis Proestakis, Owner of the Takis Shelter for Stray Animals

Takis Proestakis is the founder of one of Greece’s biggest animal shelters, near Ierapetra, Crete. He’s dedicated his life and resources to rescuing and caring for stray animals, turning a piece of land into a safe haven for many.

Born in the 1970s in rural Sitia, Takis grew up close to nature. As a child, he spent hours outside—climbing trees, picking flowers, and bonding with animals.

Moving to Ierapetra for school was tough; he missed his village and the natural life. For twenty years, he worked night jobs, but found the lifestyle lonely and unfulfilling.

Though he knew many people, he felt he lacked real friends. Eventually, he sold his business to make a big change.

The turning point came when he visited the city landfill. There, he found countless sick and starving dogs trying to survive on scraps.

One badly injured dog inspired him to act. After taking it to a vet, he started returning daily to care for the animals.

Soon, he was responsible for up to 75 animals. Realizing he couldn’t leave them in such conditions, Takis bought five acres of land near the landfill. This became the Takis Shelter.

Running the shelter cost more than he expected. In just a year and a half, nearly €185,000 went to food, medical care, and housing. His savings from selling his business ran out fast, but his commitment didn’t waver.

Key elements of Takis’ work at the shelter include:

• Rescuing stray and injured animals from dangerous places
• Providing medical care with vets’ help
• Creating a safe, caring environment
• Covering all costs personally for food, medicine, and upkeep

The shelter is now known for its dedication. Takis’s work shows a deep bond between him and the animals, and a mission to protect those who can’t care for themselves.

Giorgos Dialektakis, National Champion in Para-Shooting and Ultramarathon Athlete

Giorgos Dialektakis trained hard for nine months to compete in the grueling Pheidippides Road Race. Along with Giorgos Salonikios, he set the world-best recorded time for 2024 in the 50 km distance using a racing wheelchair.

His achievements have earned real respect from his local community. Giorgos has roots in two Cretan villages: Plora in Messara, Heraklion, and Panta­nassa in Amari, Rethymno.

He grew up and still lives in Rethymno. The city has improved its facilities for people with disabilities, but Giorgos says there’s still a long way to go.

He points out the need for better ramps, more accessible parking, and a shift in public attitudes toward greater respect. But it’s not just about infrastructure—he’s also worried about high alcohol use and road accidents in the area.

He calls for stricter controls and limits to make communities safer for everyone. Giorgos believes everyone chooses how to live their life and values quality of life in his hometown.

He also cherishes Cretan traditions that shape his character. Hospitality is important to him, and he values honesty and straightforwardness—known locally as dobrosini.

Respect for family and elders remains core in his life, influencing both his personal and athletic pursuits.

Key Words Giorgos emphasizes:

• Respect
• Quality of life
• Hospitality
• Honesty
• Family values

His journey shows steady progress in sport and a strong connection to community and culture.

Source: Tovima

Giannis Gaitanakis

Giannis Gaitanakis is the head of the municipal police force in Ierapetra, Crete.

He is widely recognised in Greece for his active work in the field of animal welfare. Gaitanakis has been involved in several high-profile animal rescues and is known for his compassionate approach, often working with local animal shelters such as the Takis Shelter.

His efforts have garnered national attention and praise for improving the treatment and protection of stray and abandoned animals in the region.

Seime’s activities have even been featured in international documentaries that have publicised the institution of community policing worldwide. In particular, the employees of the Municipal Police participated in the international documentary film ‘The Stray Story: A Dogumentary (2021)’, which was shown in over 20 countries and won 13 international awards.

He has received numerous awards from animal welfare organisations, local authorities and professional associations for his extensive professional and animal welfare work. With numerous positive publications and interviews in social media and mass media, even on a global level, he has become a sought-after trainer and speaker in seminars, workshops and conferences in schools, public and private organisations.

He has recently published the book ‘Companion Animals – Understanding dog bites: the important role of human behaviour’.

In addition, his police station was voted the best municipal police force in Greece.

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