Apart from the very rich singer culture in Crete our island has a lot to offer on the literature side too: A lot of renowned Cretan/ Authors have been producing masterpieces on the island, and thus we, at Proper Cretan Guide Travel Agency in Chania can disclose the various authors and writers for you to read on one of the many beaches, or hotels that we consult you on spending your holidays on. Let’s start!
Erotokritos from Vitzentzos Kornaros
Erotokritos is an erotic love story/ poem, written by a very famous author in the 16th century, called Vitzentzos Kornaros. We could say that is similar to William Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, where Erotokritos, a man of humble descent, falls in love with a princess, called Aretousa. This is a prime example of the Cretan Literature movement of the Cretan “renaissance”, having nothing to fallback in comparison with Europe. This 10.012 fifteen-syllable rhymed verse poem has become so famous, that even to this day, Cretan Singers are reproducing its rhymes!
Nikos Kazantzakis: An Author with True Cretan Flair
On a more modern approach, most visitors that visit Crete every year, whether this be because of our beaches, our culture, or history, know the famous artist from Heraklion, Nikos Kazantzakis.
Nikos Kazantzakis now rests at the Martinengo Bastion, just outside the Venetian walls of Heraklion and undoubtedly, is one of the greatest authors in Greece. Despite being an author, he has also written a lot of travel books, a series of travel guides we shall say.
You have to look at the bookstores or the novelties stores while on holiday for his best-selling books: Brace yourselves- his books are not an easy (- yet worthy!) read.
- Zorba the Greek
- The last temptation of Christ
- Captain Michalis
- Christ Recrusified
- Report to Greco
Εrofili – A pure Cretan theatre Drama
Erofili or Erophilie is one of the most famous plays that denote the authentic Cretan theatre Drama. Written by Georgios Chortatzis in around 1600’s and is considered the apogee of the Cretan Renaissance literature. It has to do with kingdoms, the role of power in kingdoms, and especially the role of love, passion and a lot more, so we strongly suggest you buy a copy when on holiday in Crete: Even better, you may watch a play, if available on Cretan theatres!
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