Crete -- A Meeting Place of Cultures

Throughout the centuries, Crete has always found itself at the cultural crossroads – a place where cultures mingle and mix.  Diverse languages, traditions, faiths, and practices have met on the island, producing syncretist creations of a unique character.  Through conflict or cooperation, antagonism or synergy, they learned to coexist and function together, advancing common goals.  The lessons of this age-long experience may have special relevance for the 21^st century as cultures learn to share a global world.  Such lessons are certainly evident in all modern Cretan literature, from the generations of N. Kazantzakis and P. Prevelakis to living authors Dimitris Kalokyris, Rea Galanaki, and Ioanna Karystiani, not to mention Greek American Harry Mark Petrakis.  One can make similar claims for the music of composers Nikos Mamangakis and Yiannis Markopoulos.     

This October, the University of Michigan is organizing in Ann Arbor a two-day symposium in order to examine the multicultural identity of Crete.  The emphasis of the symposium falls both on history and on the lessons it holds for us today.  Thus its has a distinct contemporary focus.  The event will also celebrate the 75^th anniversary of the Pancretan Association of America, which itself represents another chapter in the history of Cretan cultural mixing.  Thanks to the generosity of our donors, all events are open to the public and completely free.    

The title of the symposium is "Crete -- A Meeting Place of Cultures" and the dates are October 3-4, 2004.  On Sunday, Oct. 3, there will three major lectures (3-7pm), a reception (7-8pm) and a concert of folk music and dance (8pm).  On Monday morning/afternoon, Oct. 4, the visiting speakers will visit classes, give seminars, and meet with students and colleagues.

On the first day of the symposium, three distinguished scholars will focus on the major historical eras: archaeologist L. Vance Watrous (Professor of Art History, SUNY-Buffalo) on antiquity; Byzantinist Maria Georgopoulou (Assoc. Professo of Art History, Yale University) on the Renaissance; and philosopher Louis Ruprecht (Assoc. Professor of Ethics and Culture, Claremont Graduate University) on modernity.  By combining different periods and fields, we hope to gain insight into several aspects of the Cretan tradition as it negotiated its course with its neighbors in the Eastern Mediterranean and beyond.

The Sunday evening performance of Cretan poetry, music, and dance is organized by Dr. Maria Hnaraki (Ethnomusicology Ph.D. from Indiana University, Lecturer in Modern Greek at Cornell)  It promises to be a fitting conclusion to a day celebrating harmony in diversity.  We are fortunate to have Dr. Hnaraki, a native of Crete, among our experts.

DIRECTIONS TO THE MICHIGAN LEAGUE

From East: (including Detroit Metro Airport) Take 1-94 to State Street (exit 177); take State Street north three miles to N. University; turn right onto N. University; go two blocks to Fletcher Street; turn left on Fletcher; the League is on your left.

From North: Take US-23 South to M-14 west; exit at Main Street (Exit 3); take Main Street south one mile to Huron Street; turn left onto Huron Street to Fletcher Street; turn right onto Fletcher. The League is one block south to your right.

From West: Take I-94 east; exit at State Street (exit 177); take State Street north three miles to N. University; turn right onto North University; go two blocks to Fletcher Street; turn left onto Fletcher; the League is on your left.

From South: Take US-23 north to I-94 west; exit at State Street (exit 177); take State Street north three miles to N. University; turn right onto North University; go two blocks to Fletcher Street; turn left onto Fletcher; the League is on your left.