The carnival events of the Rethymnian Carnival today last about a whole month. More than 12,000 carnival participants, members of approximately 35 groups, take part in the grand parade on the last Sunday of the Carnival, featuring over 25 handmade floats. The carnival groups themselves, in close cooperation with the Municipality of Rethymno, are responsible for organizing the event.

Parade from a newer carnival

For historical reference, it is deemed necessary to mention those individuals from the Municipality who were responsible for the carnival events. Architect Manos Tsakonas was the first person responsible for the carnivals of 1993 and 1994. Then, the President of the Municipal Council of Rethymno, Eleni Tzetzu, was in charge of the 1995 carnival. DEYAR President Manolis Psathakis was responsible for the years 1996 to 2002. Manos Tsakonas took over again from 2003 to 2006. From 2007 to 2015, the deputy mayor Pepi Birliraki was in charge. From 2015 to 2017, the Municipal Councillor Stelios Sampson was responsible, from 2017 to 2019 again deputy mayor Pepi Birliraki, and from 2020 to 2023 the deputy mayor Thomas Krevetzakis. For the 2024 Carnival, the deputy mayor Manos Tsakonas is responsible.

Political satire is not absent from modern carnivals either.
The events begin with the official Opening Ceremony of the Carnival, which this year was held at the Unknown Soldier's Square with speeches and responses between the Mayor and the King of Carnival. Before the Opening Ceremony, the Carnival Harbingers visit the villages inviting people to participate in the Rethymnian Carnival.

Three and two weeks respectively before the grand parade, the children's and the grand Treasure Hunt take place, a tradition that started in 1990, while the children's Treasure Hunt began in 1998. The eve of the Treasure Hunt features a dance at a large social center, where the first clue is given to the hunters.

Another event is the Serenades in the Old Town of Rethymno. A musical tour of artists with traditional instruments and choirs from Rethymno, accompanied by a crowd, perform serenades with songs from Crete and the rest of Greece in the streets of the historical center.

Tsiknopempti (Smoky Thursday) is celebrated with special splendor, and many carnival groups organize various events with grills, wine, and lots of fun.

Since 1996, the dance of the groups has been held in a large entertainment center. The evening includes the presentation of original theatrical sketches with sets, costumes, and attire adapted to the theme each group has chosen for the Carnival. After the presentation, a party with food and dancing continues until the morning

The events continue with the night parade on Saturday evening. There, in front of the Town Hall, many years have seen speeches and responses between the Mayor and the King of Carnival.

Rethymno does not forget its Venetian history and makes it a theme in the carnival

The climax of the Carnival is on the last Sunday of Carnival. In the afternoon, the grand parade of carnival-goers and floats begins on Rethymno's main avenue, followed by the burning of the King of Carnival on Rethymno's beach.

In parallel, many other events take place. Groups organize parties in various nightclubs, and there are also art exhibitions themed around the carnival.

Floats were formerly constructed in the hall of Agios Frangiskos. Later, various warehouses were provided by private individuals, and in 1998, the Municipality built a large warehouse for the construction of the floats.

Rethymno becomes an attraction for thousands of visitors from all over Crete and Athens, either as participants or spectators. Thus, the Rethymno Carnival steadily claims and conquers its rightful place among other similar events known nationwide, justifying the expectations of its creators and the ambitious efforts of those who continue this tradition, which spans about 120 years.

BIBLIOGRAPHY-SOURCES

Valaris, Themistoklis. (2005). A city of Memories. Rethymno.

Vivylakis, Dimitris. (1984). The Perivolia of Rethymno in the turns of the cycle. Rethymno.

Municipality of Rethymno. The identity of the Rethymnian Carnival. Speech delivered in Florence, Italy, at an international symposium on Carnival, 3-4/2/2016.

Ekekakis, George. From the Rethymnian carnival of 1901. "Rethemniotika Nea" newspaper, 12/3/2013.

Mavrakis, Alkiviadis. (1995). Perivolia of Rethymno. The chronicle of the place. Rethymno.

Papadakis, Kostis. (2010). Rethymno 1900-1950. The Rethymno that bequeathed us today's Rethymno. Rethymno.

Polioudakis, Nikos. Michalis Karas: An old Rethymniot involved in everything for Rethymno. "Rethymnos" newspaper, 16/3/2013.

Archives of Emilia Michelidakis-Rakintzis.

Cultural Rethymno Archive of Eva Ladia.

Manos Tsakonas Archive.

Manos Tsakonas Archive.