Perhaps the most famous Cretan of the latter
half of the 19th and early 20th century.
A devout Cretan champion, philosopher, revolutionary
and the first world-class statesman in Greek
Government. Born in the village of Mournies,
near Chania, he completed his PHD in law
at the University of Athens. He served as
Prime-Minister of Greece on a number of
occasions, securing rights from Turkey and
union with Greece. He was a skilful negotiator
and strategist on the international scene
such as at the 1919 Treaty of Versailles
and the 1923 Treaty of Laussane with the
then major European powers. He found strong
opposition from the foreign born puppet
Royal family and spent a few years in exile
in Paris where he died. He succeeded in
pushing through reforms which still affect
all aspects of Modern Greek life. Numerous
streets, avenues, public buildings and even
the new Athens International Airport are
named in his honour. His memorial place
is to be found in the Akrotiri region, 7
kilometres north-east of Chania, with a
beautiful panoramic view of the town. (Well
worth a visit!).
Nikos Kazantzakis (1885-1957)
Probably the most prolific Cretan philosopher,
poet, writer and traveler of the 20th century.
After studying law at the University of
Athens and philosophy in Paris, he wrote
such internationally acclaimed classics
as Zorba the Greek, Report to Greco, The
Greek Passion and Freedom and Death. At
times very controversial, he received angry
reactions from the Greek Orthodox and Catholic
Churches for his 1955 book, the Last Temptation
of Christ, which was thought very provocative
at the time. He was runner up by one vote
for the Nobel Prize for literature just
before his death. Many of his books were
later adapted into films. His memorial place
is to be found just outside Iraklion, Crete.
On his tombstone, his epitaph reads: "I
hope for nothing, I fear nothing, I am free."
as a tribute to Crete's historical struggle
for independence.
Mikis Theodorakis (1925----)
Long-time maestro, musician, composer and
politician, Theodorakis has composed countless
film scores, music for stage, oratorios,
ballets, operas and symphonies. He has written
more than a thousand songs and song-cycles,
unforgettable melodies that have become
part of the immortal heritage of Greek music.
He fought against the Germans in the Second
World War and was caught and tortured. His
music and works were banned during the Greek
Junta Government of the late sixties and
early seventies, of which he was a very
vocal opponent. Theodorakis was politically
active while living in exile for a number
of years.
Sir Arthur Evans (1860-1943)
Although an Englishman by nationality, Evans
spent a good deal of his adult life in Crete
after attending University at Oxford, England.
He is credited with being one of the most
prolific European archaeologists of the
19th and 20th centuries. He carefully excavated
the remains of the 5,000 year old Palace
of Knossos, near Heraklion. Evans lasting
legacy of scholarly interest, relating to
the glorious Minoan Civilisation and ancient
history of Crete is unquestionable. His
excavated artefacts are also on display
at Heraklion Museum, and happily not the
British Museum.
Domenikos Theotokopoulos ("El
Greco") (1541-1614)
Born in Crete, lived in the late Renaissance
period of the 16th century. in Toledo, Spain.
He developed a distinctive mystical style
with incredible power and creativity. He
painted mostly religious scenes that included
distorted and lengthened figures. El Greco's
bright, vivid colours and strange expressive
technique earned him a reputation in the
17th century of a painter gone mad. As is
often the case, his art was not appreciated
until long after his death. "The Adoration
of the Shepherds", celebrating the
birth of Jesus, is one of El Greco's best
known religious paintings. El Greco (the
Greek) never forgot his Cretan heritage
and signed all his paintings in his full
name in Greek letters. Today his works are
priceless and are exhibited at fine museums
and art galleries around the world.
Aliki Vougiouklaki (1933-1996)
Aliki became Greece's most revered and prominent
post-war actress of the silver screen and
was also very successful in theatre. Her
versatility and beauty earned her notice
even abroad. After finishing drama school
in Athens, she got her break in a production
of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. She also
later owned her own production company starring
in interesting performances of Evita, Cabaret,
Filomena, My Fair Lady and the Sound of
Music. She starred in dozens of films that
helped draw interest in the growing Greek
film industry.
