Our city is transforming and so are we. All of us, you and our dreams will converge in the "Odyssey of the Greeks", which this year is updated at the Carnival of Rethymnon, sending a message to the whole country, to the whole world, through a reminder: The Greeks have been tested many times before and we have succeeded. Our endurance is historically established and our fate is similar to that of Odysseus. We will reach our Ithaca despite the inner voices of our Sirens, the Cyclopes and the plots of the 'gods'. Poster With this assumption and with faith in our strength we begin! And if the beginning, like any beginning, seems difficult, let us not forget that the epilogue, and in this adventure, we will write it!

Happy Carnival!

The Municipality of Rethymnon, the Regional Unit of Rethymnon and the Chamber of Rethymnon every year holds one of its oldest cultural events, the "Cretan Food Festival". The Festival is clearly oriented towards the promotion of award-winning Cretan products, especially the local wine. The Cretan Diet is described as the healthiest, since it is based on fresh fruits, vegetables and legumes, as well as fresh fish and dairy products. The festival, which is held every July, offers a week full of flavours, colours and music and showcases high quality Cretan products.

The humans’ orientation of the Municipality of Rethymno is reflected in every expression and action of the culture. In this year's revival of the Renaissance past of Rethymno, the humans are starring: People who identified their personal journey with the evolution of the place that were born or visited, over the centuries, personalities that were organically linked to the land that hosted them and shared with the people the feelings that revive the soul and promote life at high levels. The Truth, Love, Melancholy, emerge through their stories, as regenerative elements of our everyday life, as the driving forces of changing our view of the world. A combination of quality events, with different starting point but with common destination, will enrich our cultural life for 15 days, redeeming our experiences with travelers who have won their visions, creators who have enriched the spiritual heritage of the city, with everyday people who heroically managed pain and lack of hope.