Writers / Speakers

“Irthan me mia klimatoverga ap’ tin Kriti. Poiimata” (“They came with a vine from Crete. Poems”) by Cevat Çapan
The two daughters of the Turkish Cretan poet and academic Cevat Çapan, Leylâ Çapan and Nigar Çapan, read a text written by Cevat especially for the event, while the Turkish Cretan poet Ayșe Lahur Kirtunç and the translator Anthi Karra speak about his work. Moderator: Matthaios Frantzeskakis, Chania Film Festival director, publisher.

Co-organized by Pyxida tis Polis Publishing

3rd Chania Book Festival 2024

“Nikos Gkatsos. Doste mou mia taftotita, na thymitho poios eimai” (“Nikos Gatsos. Give me an identity, so I can remember who I am”) by Stavros G. Kartsonakis
First presentation of the book “Nikos Gkatsos. Doste mou mia taftotita, na thymitho poios eimai (Poiisi kai stichourgiki 1931-1991)” (“Nikos Gatsos. Give me an identity, so I can remember who I am”) (Poetry and lyrics 1931-1991)”). The author Stavros G. Kartsonakis discusses with the writer Agathi Dimitrouka and the professor of Modern Greek Literature at the University of Palermo, Maria Caracauzi, about the book, which contains important – known and unknown – research and judgments about the poet, his youthful literary steps of the first period, unpublished notes, radio broadcasts and chronicles of the creation of his important works.

Co-organized by Metronomos Publishing.

1st Chania Book Festival 2022

Europe in the Age of Conquests: from Philip of Macedonia to Hadrian the Philhellene
Speaker: Angelos Chaniotis, Professor of Ancient History and Classical Studies at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton University, corresponding member of the Academy of Athens, collaborator of the New York University excavations in Crete, author (“Age of Conquests”).

Co-organized by Crete University Press

3rd Chania Book Festival 2024

Honorary event for Nikos Psilakis
An event dedicated to the work and memory of the great journalist, folklorist and writer Nikos Psilakis, with speakers Stavros Arnaoutakis, regional governor of Crete, Pantelis Boukalas, poet, essayist, translator and journalist, Thanasis Babanevas, representative of the Union of Journalists of Daily Newspapers of the Peloponnese, Epirus, and Islands and Maria Charalambaki, president of the Heraklion Prefecture Philologists’ Union. Moderation: Giorgos Patroudakis, journalist and photographer. The greeting will be delivered by Kyriakos Kortesis, President of the Union of Journalists of Daily Newspapers of the Peloponnese, Epirus, and Islands.

CO-ORGANIZED BY: Karmanor Publishing

4th Chania Book Festrival 2025

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“Eirini, polemos, politika, synomoysies: Oi Ellines axiomatikoi (1935-1945)” (“Peace, War, Politics, Conspiracies: The Greek Officers (1935-1945)”) by Tasos Sakellaropoulos
Historian and head of the historical archives at the Benaki Museum, Tasos Sakellaropoulos, discusses his new book with historian and political analysis advisor Giannis Charalampidis.

CO-ORGANIZED BY: Patakis Publishing

4th Chania Book Festival 2025

“Oi dosilogoi” (“The Collaborationists”) by Menelaos Charalampidis
The historian Menelaos Charalampidis, Founder of Athens History Walks, which conducts historical tours in Athens for the period of the Occupation and the Dekemvriana, talks about his book (Alexandria Publishing), in which, through the study of archives published for the first time, he describes the activities of those who collaborated, examines the reasons and mechanisms of the development of the phenomenon of collaboration with the occupier, as it manifested itself in the prefecture of Attica, as well as the political and economic conditions that favoured its emergence. Introduced by Manolis Pimplis, the Chania Book Festival director.

3rd Chania Book Festival 2024

A discussion on the book “Politiki tou politismou” (“The Politics of Culture”) by Myrsini Zorba
Dr. Maria Andreadaki Vlazaki, Archaeologist and former General Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, journalist Mikela Chartoulari, and author and researcher Pavlina Marvin discuss the release of the revised edition of Myrsini Zorba’s book “Politiki tou politismou” (“The Politics of Culture”).

CO-ORGANIZED BY: Polis Publishing

4th Chania Book Festival 2025

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“Epicheirisi ‘Nostos’” (“Operation ‘Nostos’”) by Nikolas Zirganos
Investigative journalist and screenwriter Nikolas Zirganos, known for his research on the international antiquities smuggling network, discusses his new book with Maria Andreadaki-Vlazaki, PhD in Archaeology and former General Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, and journalist Mikela Chartoulari.

Co-organized by Topos Publishing

3rd Chania Book Festival 2024

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“Dika mas paidia” (“Our children”) by Sofia Nikolaidou
Author Sofia Nikolaidou talks to journalist Mikela Chartoulari about her new novel, a story about a rap band, about dreams that take revenge, about children saved by music.

Co-organized by Metaixmio Publishing

3rd Chania Book Festival 2024

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“I mnimi tou pagou” (“The memory of ice”) by Ioanna Bourazopoulou
Author Ioanna Bourazopoulou (Athens Academy Award 2015) talks with journalist Mikela Chartoulari on the occasion of the completion of her novel trilogy “O drakos tis Prespas” (“The Dragon of Prespa”).

Co-organized by Kastaniotis Publishing

3rd Chania Book Festival 2024

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“Personas Decentes” / “Decent People” by Leonardo Padura
Author Leonardo Padura discusses his recent book with journalist Mikela Chartoulari and his translator Kostas Athanasiou.

Co-organized by Kastaniotis Publishing

2nd Chania Book Festival 2023

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“Na eicha, leei, mia trompeta” (“If only I had a trumpet”) by Maro Douka
The writer Maro Douka talks to the journalist Mikela Chartoulari regarding her new novel “Na eicha, leei, mia trompeta” (“If only I had a trumpet”).

Co-organized by Patakis Publishing

!st Chania Book Festival 2022

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“To kinima tis aftoktonias” (“The Suicide Movement”) by Petros Markaris
The renowned Greek writer Petros Markaris discusses with the journalist Mikela Chartoulari about his new novel.

Co-organized by Keimena Publishing

!st Chania Book Festival 2022

“I symfiliosi” (“The Reconciliation”) by Dimitris Chatzikonstantinou

Author Dimitris Hatzikonstantinou discusses with the philologist and President of the Centre of Cretan Literature, Kostas Moutzouris, about his new book. Excerpts will be read by the philologist Maria Patrelaki.
Co-organized by Metaixmio Publishing

1st Chania Book Festival 2022

«Amaltheia – To koritsi me ta kerata» (“Amalthea – The Girl with the Horns”) by Alexandros Chatzipanagiotis
Through a novel set in the village of Sfentyli in 1962, the author Alexandros Chatzipanagiotis, also a film director and screenwriter, highlights the history and mythology, the customs and traditions, the legends and folklore of Crete.

Co-organised by Mitos Publishing

3rd Chania Book Festival 2024

Pantelis Boukalas: “So We May Rise Once Again to the Stature of Our Beauty”
An event in honor of the poet, essayist, translator, and journalist Pantelis Boukalas (Grand Prize for Letters 2024). Speakers will include Angeliki Karathanasi-Manousaki, philologist and author; Vangelis Chatzivassiliou, literary critic; and Pantelis Boukalas himself. The introduction will be given by Manolis Pimplis, director of the Chania Book Festival. A greeting will be delivered by the Deputy Mayor for Culture of Chania, Giannis Giannakakis. Moderated by Vassilis Kimoulis, member of the organizing team of the Chania Book Festival.

CO-ORGANIZED BY: Agra Publishers.

4th Chania Book Festrival 2025

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“Discussion on a Critical Approach to Contemporary Greek-Language Literature”
Emeritus Professor of Modern Greek Literature at the University of Birmingham, Dimitris Tziovas, and literary critics Mikela Chartoulari, Dimosthenis Kourtovik, and Vangelis Chatzivassiliou discuss a critical approach to contemporary Greek-language literature.

4th Chania Book Festrival 2025

Libraries and Democracy

Speakers: Paraskevi Choudalaki, Head of Libraries of the Municipality of Chania: “Libraries of the Municipality of Chania: Dormitories of knowledge, democracy, culture” / Dr Anthi Katsirikou, President of the Association of Greek Librarians and Information Scientists, Head of the Library of the University of Piraeus: “A brief theoretical introduction” / Maria Chetzaki and Katerina Voutiraki, Librarian and Head of the Library & Information Centre of the Hellenic Mediterranean University: “Libraries and services for students with print disabilities (visually impaired)” / Maria Daoudaki, Head of Department at the Library & Information Centre of the Technical University of Crete: “Academic libraries and the Open Access movement” / Dr Manolis Koukourakis, Library & Information Centre of the Technical University of Crete: “Academic libraries and cultural resources” / Irini Dragasaki: Koundourios Public Library of the Municipality of Agios Nikolaos: “Cultural events for reading culture”.

Co-organised by the Association of Greek Librarians and Information Scientists

3rd Chania Book Festival 2024

Pantelis Boukalas: “So We May Rise Once Again to the Stature of Our Beauty”
Musicians Giannis Chinos and Alexandros Ieronymidis will engage in a melodic conversation with Pantelis Boukalas about folk music in Crete specifically and in Greece more broadly.

CO-ORGANIZED BY: Agra Publishers.

4th Chania Book Festrival 2025

“Reinventing love. How patriarchy sabotages heterosexual relationships” by Mona Chollet
The journalist and essayist Mona Chollet discusses with the author Lena Divani about her new book (Stereoma Publishing) which won the European Essay Prize for 2022.

2nd Chania Book Festival 2023

Libraries and Democracy
Speakers: Paraskevi Choudalaki, Head of Libraries of the Municipality of Chania: “Libraries of the Municipality of Chania: Dormitories of knowledge, democracy, culture” / Dr Anthi Katsirikou, President of the Association of Greek Librarians and Information Scientists, Head of the Library of the University of Piraeus: “A brief theoretical introduction” / Maria Chetzaki and Katerina Voutiraki, Librarian and Head of the Library & Information Centre of the Hellenic Mediterranean University: “Libraries and services for students with print disabilities (visually impaired)” / Maria Daoudaki, Head of Department at the Library & Information Centre of the Technical University of Crete: “Academic libraries and the Open Access movement” / Dr Manolis Koukourakis, Library & Information Centre of the Technical University of Crete: “Academic libraries and cultural resources” / Irini Dragasaki: Koundourios Public Library of the Municipality of Agios Nikolaos: “Cultural events for reading culture”.

Co-organised by the Association of Greek Librarians and Information Scientists

3rd Chania Book Festival 2024

Loss and Mourning: Individual and Collective Traumas in Literature
Discussants: Voula Antoniadou (author), Maria Katsikandaraki (author and educator), Michalis Paterakis (poet), Katerina Stamatelatou (author), Andromachi Chourdaki (author). Moderated by: Anna Kallivretaki (author).

CO-ORGANIZED BY: Radamanthis Publishing

4th Chania Book Festival 2025

“Afto ekanes panta” (“You’ve Always Done This”) by Nikos Iatrou & “Sarah en Berlin” by Ismini Kariotaki
The novelists Nikos Iatrou and Ismini Kariotaki discuss parenthood, on the occasion of their two recent books, “Afto ekanes panta” (“You’ve Always Done This”) and “Sarah en Berlin”, respectively. Moderation: Alexandra Christakaki, journalist.

CO-ORGANIZED BY: Ikaros Publishing / Potamos Publishing

4th Chania Book Festival 2025

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“Telesi” (“Telesis”) by Fotis Dousos

Author Fotis Dousos talks to journalist Alexandra Christakaki about his book (Nisos Publishing), a psychological thriller about the forces of creation and destruction that we hide inside us.

3rd Chania BookFEstival 2024

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“The Netleti” by Joelle Lopinot
Joelle Lopinot talks with journalist Alexandra Christakaki about her book, which reveals unknown aspects of the history of Crete, as told to the author by the residents of the village Manoliopoulo in the inland of the Platanias Municipality of Chania. With the support of the Hellenic-French Association of Chania.

Co-organized by Minoas Publishing

3rd Chania BookFEstival 2024

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“My Policeman” by Bethan Roberts
British author Bethan Roberts discusses her recent book (published by Enastron Publishing) with the journalist Alexandra Christakaki.

2nd Chania Book Festival 2023

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Routes and identities
The writer, president of the Hellenic Authors’ Society, Iosif Ventouras talks to the journalist Alexandra Christakaki about his literary and poetic work, how it was influenced by his Jewish identity, the Jewish community of Chania where he was born, and the role of the Hellenic Authors’ Society in Greek literature and its prospects.

1st Chania Book Festival 2022

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“O teleftaios fylakas” (“The Last Guardian”) by Dimitris Oikonomou
The writer Dimitris Oikonomou talks to the journalist Alexandra Christakaki on the occasion of his latest novel.

Co-organized by Ikaros Publishing

1st Chania Book Festival 2022

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“Oneireftika ti Dido” (“I dreamed of Dido”) by Lena Divani
The historian and author Lena Divani talks to the journalist Alexandra Christakaki about her new book, a hybrid kind of biography of Dido Sotiriou.

Co-organized by Pataki Publishing

1st Chania Book Festival 2022

1st Chania Book Festival 2022

“Vathy to skotadi prin tin avgi” (“Deep darkness before dawn”) by Eleni Priovolou & “Mavro flamingko” (“Black Flamingo”) by Stavros Christodoulou
Disconnected from time and place. Heroes and anti-heroes in the dying world and the world to come. Authors Eleni Priovolou and Stavros Christodoulou talk about their novels.

Co-organized by Kastaniotis Publishing

3rd Chania Book Festival 2024

“The Challenge of Adapting Literary Works to Cinema”
Cuban screenwriter, journalist, and documentary filmmaker Lucia López Coll discusses the adaptation of literary works to film with Adriana Martinez, director of the LEA Festival.

CO-ORGANIZED BY: Hellenic Ibero-American Literature Festival in Athens LEA

4th Chania Book Festival 2025

“John Craxton: A Life of Gifts” by Ian Collins
Author Ian Collins presents his book on the life and work of the philhellene painter John Craxton.

Co-organized by Patakis Publishing

1st Chania Book Festival 2022

The experience of translation and its importance for literature and language
Translators Kostas Athanasiou (Spanish), Rita Kolaiti (French), David Connolly (English), Katerina Schina (English) discuss the adventure of translation and its importance for the dissemination of literature and the dialogue between cultures. Moderated by Kostas Athanasiou.

3rd Chania Book Ferstival 2024

“La Parte Sbagliata” / “The Wrong Side” by Davide Coppo
Italian author and journalist Davide Coppo discusses his latest book “La Parte Sbagliata” / “The Wrong Side” with translator Dimitra Dotsi.

Co-organized by: Dioptra Publishing

4th Chania Book Festival 2025

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The Normalization of the Far Right in the West
A discussion on the rise, normalization, and dynamics of the far right in the contemporary Western world. Participants include Davide Coppo, Italian author and journalist, Nikos A. Alivizatos, emeritus professor of Constitutional Law at the Law School of the University of Athens, Stavros Zoumboulakis, president of the Board of Trustees of the National Library of Greece, Makis Malafekas, author, and Louis-Philippe Dalembert, Haitian author. Moderated by Manolis Pimplis, journalist and director of the Chania Book Festival.

4th Chania Book Festival 2025

Book Festivals in the Modern World
Discussion on the challenges, the impact of international book festivals and their networking, will be held by: Adriana Martinez from Colombia, director of the LEA Festival; Claudia Neira from Nicaragua, director of the Centroamérica Cuenta Festival; Pilar Reyes, literary director of Penguin Random House; Mexican author and essayist Jorge Volpi; Spanish journalist Juan Cruz Ruíz, founding member of El Pais newspaper, author, and literary critic; and Manolis Pimplis, Chania Book Festival director.

Co-organized by the Greek Ibero-American LEA Festival

3rd Chania Book Festival 2024