In the light of the announcement of the Chania Initiative text on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Mikis Theodorakis, for the promotion of the valuable intangible cultural heritage of the great universal composer. It is signed by 38 representatives of institutional bodies of Chania.

The text points out:

“On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Mikis Theodorakis and the proclamation by the Ministry of Culture of 2025 as the “Mikis Theodorakis Year”, we feel the need and the moral obligation, as responsible citizens, to become active in promoting the valuable intangible cultural heritage of the great universal composer.

Miki’s immense musical and intellectual work breaks down borders and assumes international dimensions, because it is timelessly linked to universal human and cultural values, making his figure a symbol of Art, Freedom, Peace and Contemplation. The grandeur of his work scales through time and inspires man, giving him a vision to reflect, listen and ultimately evolve into his perfection, a spiritual entity. These are conditions of “cultural revolution”, in which culture as a “renaissance process” has at its heart, as he himself stressed, meaningful and creative human relationships.

Mikis Theodorakis further honoured the city of Chania and Crete by choosing to associate himself and his work with its history and culture. What else is clearer than his statement: I am but a branch on the evergreen tree of Crete. And I am glad that I will soon become a foundation in the White Mountains.

After all this, all of us who co-sign this document:

•  We believe that the year of tribute is necessary to be linked primarily to the implementation of specific projects, which will contribute to the future and long-term promotion of Theodorakis’ work and not to be limited to the organisation of the mandatory anniversary events and activities.
• We call on all State and Local Authorities to proceed at a more intensive pace in the implementation of a plan that will ensure the immediate completion of the creation of the Museum ” Mikis and Yannis Theodorakis “, as he himself designated and the parallel support of its management and operation. The above will be an important first step towards the creation of an institutional body, based on the existing cultural infrastructure in Galata, for the study, research, education and promotion of the work of Mikis Theodorakis.
• Finally, we declare that we are ready to contribute, so that the above basic steps can be put into practice in cooperation with the principals of Miki Theodorakis, the Pancretan Association of Friends of Mikis Theodorakis, reinforcing their long-standing effort, because we believe that the appropriate “time” has now come to resolve the outstanding issues with realism and the cooperation of all institutional bodies. The realization of the above objective will be the greatest honor and moral reward of the city of Chania and Crete to Miki Theodorakis, confirming the ability and capacity of our city and Crete to respond consistently to the status of recipient of the intangible cultural heritage “Mikis Theodorakis”.

It is our conviction that the success of such a project will contribute to cultural resistance against decay and will encapsulate the wealth, intensity, history and culture of Crete. It will strengthen our cultural capital as a competitive advantage of our country and will be an important lever for strengthening social cohesion, cooperation and prosperity of our country.

SIGNED BY

1. Rev. Amphilochios, Metropolitan of Kissamos and Selinos
2. Rev. Damaskinos, Metropolitan of Kydonia and Apokoronas and President of the “Agia Sophia” Foundation.
3. Antonogiannakis Yannis, President of the Venizelion Conservatory of Chania.
4. Archontakis Gregorios, former Prefect and Mayor of Chania.
5. Tassos Vamvukas, former Mayor of Chania.
6. Vlazaki Maria, Honorary General Secretary. Director of Antiquities & Cultural Heritage – President of ILAEK.

7. Voulgarakis Apostolos, former Deputy Governor of Chania.

1. Yannis Garedakis, President of the Museum of Printing and the Institute of the Provincial Press.
2. Daskalaki Anna, President of GETEE-Crete.
3. Michalis Zervakis, Rector of the Technical University of Crete.
4. Konstantinos Zorbas, General Director of the Orthodox Academy of Crete.

12. Stella Zuridi, M.A. in Social Sciences, University of Crete.
13. Katsanevakis Georgios, former Prefect and Mayor of Chania.
14. Kapsomenos Eratosthenes, Professor Emeritus of the University of Ioannina, President of the Society for Cretan Studies and the George and Artemisia Kapsomenos Foundation.

15. Kontezakis Vasilis, President of TEE/TM. West Crete.
16. Kotsifaki Sitsa, President of the Association of Chania Philologists.
17. Kouraki Tatiana, President of the Lyceum of Hellenic Women of Chania.
18. Stella Koutsoupaki, President of the Greek-French Association of Chania and President of the “Karolos Kabelopoulos” Foundation.
19. Michael Kyniagos, former Mayor of Akrotiri.
20. Kyriakaki Dora, President of the Commercial Association of Chania.
21. Manolikakis Ioannis, President of the Labour Centre of Chania.
22. Konstantinos Mavrakakis, President of the Chrysostomos Philological Association.
23. Mavrogenakis George, President of the Association of Primary Education Teachers of Chania.
24. George Baourakis, Director MAICH.
25. Orphanoudaki Paraskevi, President of the Medical Association of Chania.
26. Papadakis Nikos, General Director of the Eleftherios Venizelos Foundation.
27. Antonis Papaderakis, former Vice-Regional Head of Innovation of Crete.
28. Papadomanolakis Manolis, President of the Peace Committee of Chania Prefecture.
29. Pavlakis Yannis, President of the EVE Federation of Chania.
30. Perrakis Yannis, former Mayor of Souda and President of TEDK Chania.
31. Perakis Paraskevas, Publisher-Director of the newspaper “Chaniotika Nea”.
32. Petsetakis Pantelis, President, Chamber of Commerce / Dept. West Crete.
33. Pistopoulos Zacharis, President of the Association of Architects of Chania.
34. Christos Pragmateftakis, President of the Bar Association of Chania.
35. Proimos B. Konstantinos, President of the Federation of Rented Rooms and Apartments of Chania.
36. Antonis Rokakis, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Chania.
37. Stamatakis Manolis, President of the Hotel Owners Association of Chania – former Mayor of N. Kydonia.
38. Tzanakakis George, former Mayor of Chania.