Rethymnon Renaissance Festival!

One of the big events in Rethymnon this month is the Renaissance Festival. In the past Rethymnon has hosted a summer festival supposedly based around the Renaissance, however, as years went by, some aspects of the festival became pretty far removed from the original theme, to put it mildly. This year, though, things will change. Between the 5th and 23rd July there will be ‘real’ Renaissance Festival, with performances by artists and musicians from all over Europe. If you pardon the cliché, for those two and a half weeks, the whole town will be a stage. The central message that the festival wants to present is the importance of global cultural dialogue and the exchange art of and science. The organizers have put together a rich and varied programme of events, bringing together several internationally renowned artists and musicians. You’ll find details of highlights of the programme below.

At the beginning of the month Rethymnon also celebrates navy week (until 6th July) and there will be several events taking place centred around the old harbour and marina, including swimming and fishing competitions, a volunteer ‘beach clean up’ and a fireworks display. For the full programme, see the www.rethymnon.biz website.

If you know of an event that you would like to see publicised in the Bugle please contact Kate Brusten by phone on 28310 54594 / 6942635525 or by emailing editor@rethymnonnews.com — the deadline for the next issue is 25/07/2008.

Renaissance Programme Highlights:

Note, as ever, schedules are subject to change; so check ahead of time! Details of venues and times were still a bit sketchy when we went to press (!), but most of the events will take place in the evening in various locations across town, including the Erofili Theatre at the Fortezza and the Nerandze Mosque. We will provide updates on the www.rethymnon.biz as an when we get them.
Saturday 5th: Opening Ceremony — a unique production of theatre and music set in the old town. This will culminate in a costumed parade which will make its way to the Fortezza, where dance group Horonde will perform Renaissance dances.
Monday 7th: Concert of Italian Baroque.
Tuesday 8th: English and Irish Renaissance and Baroque music.
Wednesday 9th: Concert of Cretan Music at the Fortezza.
Thursday 10th: German Baroque, including Bach.
Friday 11th: Iberian Renaissance and Baroque music.
Saturday 12th: French Baroque music.
Sunday 13th: Theatre: Elefsina Municipal Cultural Club performs “The Villagers” by Ruggante.
Monday 14th: Η Κάθοδος των Σαλτιμπάγκων.
Tuesday 15th: Concert with Spanish artist Jordi Savali: program Folias & Romanescas.
Wednesday 16th: Film showing: Macbeth starring Orson Welles.
Thursday 17th: Theatre company ‘Choros’ performs Ο Απόκοπος Μπεργαδή and a surprise comedy.
Friday 18th: Travelling with Renaissance Stories—Story telling with Dimitris Prousalis and Gogo Frankiadaki-Louka.
Saturday 19th: Theatre Group ‘Giorgos Kimoulis’ performs Richard III by Shakespeare.
Sunday 20th: Concert by Ross Daly, performing his ‘Circle at the Crossroads’ Show.
Tuesday 22nd: Art Company ‘5th season’ performs ‘Twelfth Night’ by Shakespeare.
Wednesday 23rd: Closing Ceremony. Rethymniotes, together with guests and visitors will close the Renaissance Festival by celebrating in their unique way. Party time in town!

CIC Meetings in July and August

The Rethymnon branch of the Cretan International Community meets on the first Thursday of every month at Svea’s Konditori, Kapetan Lemonia 3, Rethymnon, from 11am. The July meeting will take place on Thursday 03/07/08, and the August meeting will take place on Thursday 07/08/08. Everyone, young and old, regardless of membership status is welcome to attend. The CIC coffee mornings are a great way to meet others from the international community, and to find out about up-and-coming local events. The local coordinator for the Rethymnon branch of the CIC is Anna Capernaros. Anna may be reached on 28310 57305. The President of the CIC is Eva Smith, her contact number is 6979 775400. You can find further information about the CIC organization itself on the www.thecic.eu website.

Summer ‘Chat and Swim’ Meetings at Camping Elizabeth

During the summer, additional ’chat and swim meetings’ will be held on the third Thursday of the month from 1pm at Camping Elizabeth, the general assembly point is at the campsite taverna which is a good place to have lunch. Camping Elizabeth is on the beach at Missiria, a few kilometers east of Rethymnon (just past Perivolia on the Old Road). The beach is ‘wild’ so you might want to bring your own beach mats and umbrellas….