Writers / Speakers

From Oxford to Chania
The British hellenist, Oxford professor of Literature, poet and novelist Ruth Pantel talks to the writer Spyros Giannaras and her Greek publisher Kostas Papadopoulos about her relationship with Greece and her novel “Daughters of the Labyrinth”, which is set against the backdrop of the Jewish community of Chania.

Co-organized by Potamos Publishing

1st Chania Book Festival 2022

Literature in Countries Experiencing Crisis
Cuban author Leonardo Padura converses with Argentine novelist Claudia Piñeiro and author Ieronymos Lykaris about the role and impact of literature in countries facing severe economic, humanitarian, and political crises. Moderated by Kostas Athanasiou, translator.

CO-ORGANIZED BY: Hellenic Ibero-American Literature Festival in Athens LEA / Carnivora Publishing / Kastaniotis Publishing

4th Chania Book Festival 2025

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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

“The Pursuit of Europe: A History” by Anthony Pagden
Drawing on a wide range of materials, from legal treatises to novels, the American author and professor of Political Science and History at the University of California in the USA, Anthony Pagden, offers in his book (Alexandria Publishing) the most detailed account of the history of European integration: the evolution of the “European project” from the end of the Napoleonic Wars to Brexit. The author discusses with Lena Matsiori, historian and Cultural Programme Manager of the Chania Book Festival.

3rd Chania Book Festival 2024

Concert with Lena Platonos: Constantine P. Cavafy
The Cretan-born musician, pianist and composer of electronic and art music Lena Platonos presents, with Yannis Palamidas and Stergios Tsirliagos (Stergios T.) on the co-orchestration, keyboards and programming, the work “Cavafy, 13 songs”, as well as selected pieces from her highlights (“Sun Masks”, “Sabotage”, “Diaries”, “Gallop”).

2nd Chania Book Festival 2023

“The Charm of Book Covers”
A discussion on the importance of book covers and the aesthetics of books in modern publishing. Participants: Christos Kourtoglou, graphic designer, Yannis Palavos, author, Kostas Spatharakis, publisher.

Moderation: Marilena Astrapellou, journalist.

4th Chania Book Festival 2025

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“Asteio” (“Joke”): tradition and the Greek short story today
On the occasion of the re-edition of “Asteio” (“Joke”) by Υannis Palavos (Ikaros Publishing, State Literary Prize for Best Short Story Collection, Anagnostis Literary Review Short Story Award 2013), a collection of short stories that has been discussed more than few others in the last decade, the author unravels the thread of the writing of the book and discusses with journalist Giannis Pantazopoulos the relationship of the collection with the tradition of Greek short story writing and the Greek short story today.

3rd Chania Book Festival 2024

Theatrical reading: Luis Sepúlveda
The actress Marina Panigiraki reads extracts from the works of Luis Sepúlveda.

Organized by the Municipal Regional Theatre of Crete

2nd Chania Book Festival 2023

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Theatrical reading: Maro Doukas
The actress Marina Panigiraki reads extracts from the books of Maro Doukas.

Organized by the Municipal Regional Theatre of Crete

1st Chania Book Festival 2022

“I alosi ton Athinon apo tis aderfes Gargara” (“The Fall of Athens by the Gargara Sisters”) by Giannis Xanthoulis
Giannis Xanthoulis, author, discusses his new book “I alosi ton Athinon apo tis aderfes Gargara” (“The Fall of Athens by the Gargara Sisters”) with journalist Giannis Pantazopoulos.

CO-ORGANIZED BY: Dioptra Publishing

4th Chania Book Festival 2025

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Discussing on Literature and Ideas under the Dictatorship and at the beginning of the Metapolitefsi
Rhea Galanaki, prose writer and Alexis Ziras, literature critic, began to make their personal mark on the fields of literature and ideas of the second half of the 20th century, especially during the dictatorship and the beginning of Metapolitefsi. Now, fifty years later, they share their memories of this crucial period and reassess their actions and participations that have now been incorporated into the scale of our entire cultural historiography. Moderated by Yannis Pantazopoulos.

Co-organized by Kastaniotis Publishing

3rd Chania Book Festival 2024

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“Asteio” (“Joke”): tradition and the Greek short story today
On the occasion of the re-edition of “Asteio” (“Joke”) by Υannis Palavos (Ikaros Publishing, State Literary Prize for Best Short Story Collection, Anagnostis Literary Review Short Story Award 2013), a collection of short stories that has been discussed more than few others in the last decade, the author unravels the thread of the writing of the book and discusses with journalist Giannis Pantazopoulos the relationship of the collection with the tradition of Greek short story writing and the Greek short story today.

3rd Chania Book Festival 2024

2nd Chania Book Festival 2023

Children’s workshop
The actress, director and writer Valentina Papadimitraki (“Mia folia gia mena”/“A Nest for Me”, Kaleidoscope Publishing) invites children to wander in the forest with a little white squirrel. They can play, sing, taste fresh fruits and discover how a nest is made for all seasons (guitar, song: Michalis Volakas).

3rd Chania Book Festival 2024

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Theatrical reading: Ali Smith
The actress Valentina Papadimitraki reads extracts from books by the Scottish author Ali Smith.

Organized by the Municipal Regional Theatre of Crete

1st Chania Book Festival 2022

2nd Chania Book Festival 2023

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From Oxford to Chania
The British hellenist, Oxford professor of Literature, poet and novelist Ruth Pantel talks to the writer Spyros Giannaras and her Greek publisher Kostas Papadopoulos about her relationship with Greece and her novel “Daughters of the Labyrinth”, which is set against the backdrop of the Jewish community of Chania.

Co-organized by Potamos Publishing

1st Chania Book Festival 2022

“Grammata apo ta Kapetaniana” (“Letters from Kapetaniana”) by Giorgos Gr. Stamatakis
The author Giorgos Gr. Stamatakis discusses his book “Grammata apo ta Kapetaniana” (“Letters from Kapetaniana”), surreal short stories in the Cretan dialect, with translator Klairi Mitsotaki and author Maria Papagianni. Moderation: Giorgos Patroudakis, journalist and photographer.

CO-ORGANIZED BY: Selouda Publishing

4th Chania Book Festival 2025

2nd Chania Book Festival 2023

Concert with Kalogeraki Bros
Kalogeraki Bros (Michalis and Pantelis Kalogerakis) present a part of their previous recordings, as well as their new work, which will be presented for the first time at the Alternative Stage of the National Opera House. With the participation of musicians Lambros Papanikolaou on double bass and Efstratios Grindzalis on bouzouki.

3rd Chania Book Festival 2024

“I ypothesi tis erythras vasilissas” (“The Case of the Red Queen”) by Michalis Modinos & “I teleftaia arkoyda tou dasous” (“The Last Bear of the Forest”) & “Rixo nero, skies” (“Shallow Water, Shadows”) by Akis Papantonis
Novelists Michalis Modinos and Akis Papantonis discuss the ecological dimension of their works.

Moderation: Giannis Dimitrakakis, Associate Professor of Modern Greek Philology at the Department of Philology, University of Crete.

CO-ORGANIZED BY: Kastaniotis Publishing / Kichli Publishing

4th Chania Book Festival 2025 

Concert with Alexandra Papastefanou: Miltos Sachtouris
The internationally renowned pianist Alexandra Papastefanou presents for the first time her work on the poetry of Miltos Sachtouris, which is currently being published.

1st Chania Book Festival 2022

2nd Chania Book Festival 2023

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

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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“Grammata apo ta Kapetaniana” (“Letters from Kapetaniana”) by Giorgos Gr. Stamatakis
The author Giorgos Gr. Stamatakis discusses his book “Grammata apo ta Kapetaniana” (“Letters from Kapetaniana”), surreal short stories in the Cretan dialect, with translator Klairi Mitsotaki and author Maria Papagianni. Moderation: Giorgos Patroudakis, journalist and photographer.

CO-ORGANIZED BY: Selouda Publishing

4th Chania Book Festival 2025

“Afti einai i geitonia mou skyle” (“This Is My Neighborhood, Dog”) by Pavlos Pavlidis
Songwriter and poet Pavlos Pavlidis discusses his book with author, philologist, and songwriter Thomas Korovinis.

CO-ORGANIZED BY: Kastaniotis Publishing

4th Chania Book Festival 2025

“You Died on Me” by José Luis Peisoto
Award-winning Portuguese prose writer and poet José Luís Peixoto discusses with Adriana Martinez, director of the LEA Festival, about his new book “You Died on Me”, a narrative that deals with the theme of loss and mourning, focusing on the father-son relationship.

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

4th Chania Book Festival 2025

“Efkrates anagnoseis. Gymnasmata kritikis” (“Temperate readings. Exercises in Criticism”) by Roula Vouraki

Philologist and author Roula Vouraki talks about her new book with philologist Varvara Perraki and publisher Christos Machairidis, author, director of the magazine of language and art “Erisma”.

Co-organized by Erisma Publishing

3rd Chania Book Festival 2024

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“Asto ki as apothanei” (“Leave it and let it die”) & “Ti glossa tis tin petaxan sti gata” (“Her tongue was thrown to the cat”) by Antonia Botonaki
The author Niki Troullinou and the philologist Anna Lampardaki discuss about the revised reissue of the novel, “Asto ki as apothanei” (“Leave it and let it die”). The author’s third collection of poems will be presented by philologist Varvara Perraki. The author Antonia Botonaki will address a greeting and discuss with the audience.

Co-organized by Thraka Publishing / Pyxida tis Polis Publishing

3rd Chania Book Festival 2024

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Cretan Cultural and Literary Identity
Three authors engage in a conversation exploring the impact of their Cretan heritage on the shaping of their identities in relation to their gender and creative endeavors. The discussion also delves into the portrayal of Cretan identity in literature, whether influenced by Nikos Kazantzakis or other perspectives. Speakers: Michalis Albatis, Rea Galanaki, Niki Troullinou. Moderator: Varvara Perraki, President of the Association of Philologists of Chania.

2nd Chania Book Festival 2023

“1941 Afstira Syskotisis” (“1941 Strict Blackout”) by Thanasis Petrou
Author Thanasis Petrou discusses his new graphic novel “1941 Afstira Syskotisis” (“1941 Strict Blackout”) with Vangelis Karamanolakis, Professor of Modern and Contemporary History at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA).

CO-ORGANIZED BY: Ikaros Publishing

4th Chania Book Festivla 2025

“Kata Ioanni” (“According to John”) by Spyros Petroulakis
The writer Spyros Petroulakis talks with the paralympian and writer Antonis Tsapatakis and the Associate Professor of Ottoman History at the Department of History and Archaeology of the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Crete, Ilias Kolovos.

Co-organized by Minoas Publishing

1st Chania Book Festival 2022

“Grand Hotel Europa” by Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer
The award-winning Dutch writer Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer discusses with journalist Grigoris Bekos, delving into the multiple contradictions of European identity, focusing on an old hotel struggling to balance between the present and the past.

Co-organised by Ikaros Publishing

3rd Chania Book Festival 2024

2nd Chania Book Festival 2023

1st Chania Book Festival 2022 

Literature in Countries Experiencing Crisis
Cuban author Leonardo Padura converses with Argentine novelist Claudia Piñeiro and author Ieronymos Lykaris about the role and impact of literature in countries facing severe economic, humanitarian, and political crises. Moderated by Kostas Athanasiou, translator.

CO-ORGANIZED BY: Hellenic Ibero-American Literature Festival in Athens LEA / Carnivora Publishing / Kastaniotis Publishing

4th Chania Book Festival 2025

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“Betty Boo” / “Betibú” by Claudia Piñeiro
Argentine author Claudia Piñeiro, the third most translated writer from her country after Borges and Cortázar, discusses her book “Betty Boo” with journalist Mikela Chartoulari.

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

4th Chania Book Festival 2025

Constantine: The story of a promise, a curse and a return…
When folk songs become the inspiration for fairy tales. The “fairy-tale” version of the folk song “The Dead Brother”, through its transfer to the oral literature of the people. Synthetic narration and fictional narrative based on ten variants from all over Greece by the Storytellers of the National Theatre of Greece (Poetry-lyrics: Dimitris Fileles, setting-song: Filippos Plakias, narration: Dimitris V. Prusalis).

1st Chania Book Festival 2022

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Legends about the Fall of Constantinople
Folk traditions and legends, focusing on the Hagia Sophia before, during and after the Fall of Constantinople, by the Storytellers of the National Theatre of Greece (Poetry-lyrics: Dimitris Phileles, setting-song: Philippos Plakias, narration: Dimitris V. Prousalis).

1st Chania Book Festival 2022

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“Journeys on the back of fairy tales…”
Folk tales and words of the many people of yesterday, which reconstruct today and tomorrow, for children from 7 to 10 years old… (Lyrics, music, song: Philippos Plakias, narration: Dimitris V. Prousalis).

1st Chania Book Festival 2022

Concert with Lena Platonos: Constantine P. Cavafy
The Cretan-born musician, pianist and composer of electronic and art music Lena Platonos presents, with Yannis Palamidas and Stergios Tsirliagos on the co-orchestration, keyboards and programming, the work “Cavafy, 13 songs”, as well as selected pieces from her highlights (“Sun Masks”, “Sabotage”, “Diaries”, “Gallop”).

2nd Chania Book Festival 2023

“The Greeks: A Global History” by Roderick Beaton

Professor Emeritus of King’s College London and Chairman of the Board of the British School of Athens, Rodrik Beaton, discusses his recent book (Patakis Publishing) with Professor Emeritus of Modern Greek Literature of the University of Crete Alexis Politis.

2nd Chania Book Festival 2023

Tribute to Manolis Anagnostakis: 100 years since his birth
 Aspects of his work and life through two new publications

“Vivliografia Manoli Anagnostaki (1941-2023)” (“Bibliography of Manolis Anagnostakis (1941-2023)”) by bibliographer and critic Dimitris Daskalopoulos, as well as the book “Pragmatologika Scholia sto Ergo tou Manoli Anagnostaki” (“Pragmatic Comments on the Work of Manolis Anagnostakis”) by philologist Miltiadis D. Polyviou, are presented by Thaleia Ieronymaki, Assistant Professor of Modern Greek Philology at the University of Patras, and Lizzie Tsirimokou, Emerita Professor of General and Comparative Literature at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

Moderation: Emmi Papavasileiou, President of the Friends of Poet Manolis Anagnostakis Club.

4th Chania Book Festival 2025

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“Grafo poimata aneta kai anapaftika gia oles tis logokrisies” (“I Write Poems Comfortably and Relaxedly for All Censorships”)
Participants: Dimitris Daskalopoulos, Thaleia Ieronymaki, Miltiadis D. Polyviou, Lizzie Tsirimokou, Pantelis Boukalas, poet, essayist, translator, and journalist, discuss the significant legacy of the work of Manolis Anagnostakis.

Moderation: Manolis Pimplis, journalist and director of the Chania Book Festival.

CO-ORGANIZED BY: Friends of Poet Manolis Anagnostakis Club / Patakis Publishing

4th Chania Book Festival 2025

The new multipolar and multicultural world: the role of Crete
Georgios-Stylianos Prevelakis, Professor Emeritus of Geopolitics at Panthéon-Sorbonne University (Paris 1), who served as Permanent Representative of Greece to the OECD, analyses the fact that we live in an era when all geopolitical data are changing, the world is reshaping and the role of Crete is being revised or even upgraded. Moderated by Manolis Pimplis, director of the Chania Book Festival.

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Ukraine on fire
Author Petros Markaris discusses with George-Stylianos Prevelakis, Professor of Geopolitics, Urban Planning and Cultural Geography at the Sorbonne School of Geography (Paris I) and the Institute of Political Studies, about the war in Ukraine, its dramatic consequences for the country and its consequences in the formation of a new geopolitical environment in Europe and the world.

Moderation: Manolis Piblis, journalist.

1st Chania Book Festival 2022

3rd Greek-German translation workshop ViceVersa & “Vater und ich” (“Father and I”) by Dilek Güngör
Announcement of the results of the 3rd ViceVersa Greek-German translation workshop (23-30 June) by translators Michaela Prinzinger and Theo Votsos and the participants. Presentation of the book “Vater und ich” (“Father and I”) by the German journalist and writer of Turkish origin, Dilek Güngör, and her translator in Greek, Theo Votsos.

Organized by the German Translators’ Fund/DÜF-Toledo Programme, Commissioner for Culture and Media of the German Federal Government

3rd Chania Book Festival 2024

“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 Concept of Self
Three experiential self-esteem workshops for children aged 12-17, each lasting thirty minutes, will run simultaneously at three points of the Mediterranean Architecture Center (Grand Arsenal). Curated by educator, Chania Mayor’s educational advisor, and author Anna Nebavlaki (“Ftou Kai Vgaino” / “Ready or not, here I come!”, Kaleidoscope Publishing), along with local and other artists and scientists, the workshops will operate in a circular manner, so all children will rotate through each one: 1st Workshop: “Food for Thought” (Konstantinos V. Proimos, Assistant Professor of History, Theory, and Criticism of Architecture at the University of Patras), 2nd Workshop: “Something Precious” (Konstantinos Fischer, Visual Artist), 3rd Workshop: “Lights, Camera, Action Chania” (Nikos Kampianakis, Photographer).

3rd Chania Book Festival 2024

Legends about the Fall of Constantinople
Folk traditions and legends, focusing on the Hagia Sophia before, during and after the Fall of Constantinople, by the Storytellers of the National Theatre of Greece (Poetry-lyrics: Dimitris Fileles, setting-song: Philippos Plakias, narration: Dimitris V. Prousalis).

1st Chania Book Festival2022

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“Journeys on the back of fairy tales…”
Folk tales and words of the many people of yesterday, which reconstruct today and tomorrow, for children from 7 to 10 years old… (Lyrics, music, song: Philippos Plakias, narration: Dimitris V. Prousalis).

1st Chania Book Festival2022

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Constantine: The story of a promise, a curse and a return…
When folk songs become the inspiration for fairy tales. The “fairy-tale” version of the folk song “The Dead Brother”, through its transfer to the oral literature of the people. Synthetic narration and fictional narrative based on ten variants from all over Greece by the Storytellers of the National Theatre of Greece (Poetry-lyrics: Dimitris Fileles, setting-song: Filippos Plakias, narration: Dimitris V. Prusalis).

1st Chania Book Festival2022

“Epeidi den yparchei Planet B” (“Because There is No Planet B”) by Yannis Maniatis, in collaboration with Makis Provatas
Yannis Maniatis, head of PASOK MEP’s and former Minister of Environment, Energy, and Climate Change, and journalist and author Makis Provatas discuss their book “Epeidi den yparchei Planet B” (“Because There is No Planet B”).

CO-ORGANIZED BY: Patakis Publishing

4th Chania Book Festival 2025

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“Ola se mia zoi. Apo tin Ilio ston Galaxia” (“All in One Lifetime. From the Sun to the Galaxy”) by Stamatios Krimigis and Makis Provatas
The internationally renowned academic and space scientist Dr. Stamatios Krimigis discusses with journalist and author Makis Provatas, on the occasion of their book “Ola se mia zoi. Apo tin Ilio ston Galaxia” (“All in One Lifetime. From the Sun to the Galaxy”), a journey that begins in Chios and extends to the far reaches of the solar system.

CO-ORGANIZED BY: Papadopoulos Publishing

4th Chania Book Festival 2025

2nd Chania Book Festival 2023

The levitation between the local and the global
The practical relationship of poetry with history and with current affairs. The relationship of poetry to other arts and forms of expression. With poets: Yannis Doukas, Haris Psarras, Orpheas Apergis, Lenia Safiropoulou, Krystalli Glyniadaki.

1st Chania Book Festival 2022

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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The Europe of Crete, the Europe of Myth
Author Nikos Psilakis talks about the Europe of myths, their depictions in the rituals and worship of Cretan cities, their timeless influences on ancient and Western art, and the multifaceted symbolism of related narratives, inspired by his book “Cretan Mythology” (Karmanor Publishing). Moderated by Vassilis Kimoulis, Press Office and Communication Manager of the Chania Book Festival.

3rd Chania Book Festival 2024

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“Laikes teletourgies stin Kriti. Ethima ston kyklo tou chronou” (“Folk rituals in Crete. Customs in the cycle of time”) by Nikos Psilakis
40 years in… 40 minutes. Presentation of a luxurious volume (published by Karmanor Publishing), which is the fruit of 40 years of photography and ethnological study of ritual practices and customs that were the building blocks of Cretan cultural identity, from ritual purifications to the “milking” of goats and sheep on the day of Ascension. Unknown aspects of Crete, a Cretan folk culture that is still a living reality. The author Nikos Psilakis in conversation with Manolis Piblis, journalist, translator, Chania Book Festival director.

2nd Chania Book Festival 2023

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“Folk Rituals in Crete: Customs Throughout the Year” by Nikos Psilakis
40 years in… 40 minutes. Presentation of a luxurious volume (published by Karmanor), the result of a forty-year photographic and ethnological study of ritual practices and customs that have been integral elements of Cretan cultural identity. The book covers a wide range of ceremonies, from ritual purifications to the “salting” of goats on the day of the Assumption. Revealing unknown aspects of Crete, it showcases a Cretan folk culture that remains a vibrant reality. Author Nikos Psilakis engages in conversation with journalist and translator Manolis Piblis.

2nd Chania Book Festival 2023

1st Chania Book Festival 2022