Various cultural events are organised through
out the summer, the majority with a musical content.
The Municipality of Agios Nikolaos organises the "Lato"
events, which include theatrical performances, literary evenings, ballet and music evenings. The cultural events of Myrsini village in Sitia are particularly interesting.
They take place in a specially built outdoor concert hall, where popular, rock and traditional musicians appear to blend perfectly with the landscape's natural beauty.
In Tzermiado, in Lassithi plateau, the farmers organise a Potato Festival at the end of August, in honour of their main produce. At this festival, you can taste potatoes cooked in various ways, with the necessary accompaniments: wine and "tsikoudia". You will never forget the potatoes cooked in a wood-oven and "ofti" potato, or the traditional pork dish cooked in a stone-oven by the village gourmets.
The festive atmosphere reaches a peak with a feast of popular and traditional music. The festivities last for about three days. In Elounda there are events all summer long. The "Kyrvia" cultural events take place in lerapetra; they include exhibitions, and music, dance and theatre evenings. In Kritsa you can attend lively musical events after the I 5th of August, where you will have the chance to observe the humorous revival of a traditional wedding. In Ori village there is a special celebration organised in honour of Timios Stavros (Holy Cross) on September 14th, which ends in a traditional feast. In Sitia the Sultanina (sultanas) Festival takes place from 15-20 August, and the "Kornaria" cultural events are organised by the Municipality. Just outside Sitia, in Piskokefalo village and Hamezi, the "kazanemata" are worth attending.
These are events relating to the production of raki, and are, of course, accompanied by the traditional Cretan feast, with traditional music, dancing, lots of alcohol and tasty food, In June, the Cultural Association of Piskokefalo organises a corn festival in the village square, which includes musical events. In Tzermiado and the surrounding villages, the festive events in honour of Agios loannis (StJohn) Mesokampitis on August 29th and 30t~,, are very important. In Avrakonte village in the Lassithi plateau, the cultural association organises a"courgette evening" at the beginning of August, with plenty of food and music. The "Diktea" events in Psyhro village in the Lassithi plateau get sport ter every year.
They are very well organised and include vanous events, from literary evenings to sports activities and art exhibitions. Since 1996, the Cultural Association of Tourloti village organises musical evenings every June during the Despolou (mousmoulou) celebration.