From 5 to 13 September, the art of weaving, women’s creativity and intangible cultural heritage come together with theatre, music and the visual arts – Free admission to all activities
The 2nd Anyfantos Festival returns to Anogia from 5 to 13 September 2026, as part of the “Women” Parallel Action of the Crete Festival, with the aim of developing into a permanent cultural institution centred on the weaving tradition and female creators.
This year’s event was held at the Region of Crete, with the participation of the Deputy Regional Governor for Culture and Equality, Georgia Milaki, the Mayor of Anogeia, Socrates Kefalogiannis, the Festival’s Concept and Artistic Director, Niki Xylouris, and the Scientific Director of the Anogeia Weaving House – Anogeia Weaving Centre, Christina Tripodianaki.
From tradition to contemporary artistic creation
At the heart of the Festival lies the art of weaving as a living part of Anogia’s cultural identity. Weaving is viewed not only as a traditional technique, but as a language of memory, knowledge and collective experience that is passed down from generation to generation.
At the same time, particular emphasis is placed on the enduring contribution of women to the shaping and preservation of culture. Women’s stories, experiences and techniques come together with contemporary art forms, creating new narratives centred on cultural heritage.
The programme includes theatre performances and lectures, musical and visual activities, film screenings, workshops and open discussions.
A new cultural institution for Anogia
As the Mayor of Anogia, Socrates Kefalogiannis, has pointed out, even in its second year, the Festival is proving that it can develop into an annual cultural event for Anogia and become yet another reason to visit Crete.
For her part, artistic director Niki Xylouri noted that “Anyfantou”, the woman who weaves, serves as a metaphor for creation itself, whilst the aim is not simply to return to the past, but rather to use it as a starting point for something new.
Georgia Milaki, Deputy Regional Governor for Culture and Equality, emphasised the link between memory and tradition and contemporary artistic expression, expressing the hope that the Festival will become an established institution for Anogia and Crete as a whole.
From weaving to *Iphigenia in Aulis*“
The festival opens on Saturday 5 September with the participatory embroidery and weaving workshop on photography, “Reweaving Memory”. The theatrical lecture “Procne, Tiresias, Philomela – A Story of Metamorphosis” and the musical “Sonnet to the Stars” will be performed on the same day.
On 6 September, a theatre workshop with Maria Skoulas will take place and the art exhibition “Beyond the Loom” will be opened at the Anogeia Weaving Centre; it will run until 13 September.
On 11 September, the performance “The Old Women Gathering Nettles” will follow, whilst on 12 September, the Zominthos Archaeological Site will host Euripides’ “Iphigenia at Aulis”, directed by Savvas Stroumpos.
The Festival concludes on 13 September with a theatre workshop led by the group “Zero Point” and a screening of the documentary “The Weavers” by Dimitris Koutsiambasakou, followed by an open discussion in the presence of the director.
Admission is free for all activities, although bookings are required for some events and workshops.
Source: tourismtoday.gr