PRESS RELEASE“Muses’ Innovation” – Artistic Education Activities in Chania

📍 Chania Cultural Center

📅 April 25 & 26, 2026

Chania Cultural Center

Free admission for all

Organizers, supporters, sponsors, media sponsors of the event

As part of the European Youth Week, the Artistic Education Activities “Muses’ Innovation” will take place in Chania — a two-day event dedicated to art, creativity, and inclusion.

The Regional Unit of Chania / Region of Crete, in collaboration with ESAEI EN ROI, the Senselab of the Technical University of Crete, Radamanthys Publications, the Friends of Astronomy Association of Crete, and the Club for the Promotion of Sign Language, and with the support of the International Center of Writers & Translators of the Municipality of Rhodes, the Directorate of Education & Youth, and volunteers of the European Solidarity Corps, invite you to attend workshops, activities, and youth initiatives from the wider Chania region and beyond.

The initiative strengthens the connection between the educational and local community with European cultural initiatives, highlighting art as a tool for expression, empowerment, and social cohesion.

Sponsors: ANEK Lines, KTEL Thessaloniki, GAVALA Artistic FoundryMedia Sponsors: ERT Chania, ERT3

🔹 Participation Opportunities

Students, university students, and independent artists may participate in the Open Stage for Young Creators on April 25 & 26, 20:00–21:30, with short performances (1.5 to 5 minutes) in acting, theatre, music, dance, audiovisual arts, and visual arts.

Artists wishing to present works or activities can apply until April 23, 2026:👉 https://forms.gle/5odn1oQvzkd8guAA8or send a participation request to esai@esai.gr (subject: REQUEST FOR THE TWO-DAY EVENT “MUSES’ INNOVATION”) describing their proposal or inquiries.Contact phone: +30 6906 98 22 44

PARALLEL ACTIVITIES (BOTH DAYS)

11:00–22:00

Art Exhibition by Lambrini Boviatsou“Personal Archaeology”

Lambrini Boviatsou returns to the “Muses’ Innovation” activities at the Chania Cultural Center, presenting a selected body of work titled “Personal Archaeology.”

The artist revisits her studio, rediscovering and redefining found objects—fragments of memory that shaped her artistic journey and life—as well as items collected during her explorations in nature. By reconstructing her personal treasures, they acquire new meaning and reveal a single truth: everything around and within us is interconnected as one whole.

SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2026

🕡 18:30 – 20:00 | Workshops & Honorary Awards

WORKSHOPS• Upcycling Workshop – fostering active citizenship || Chrysi Zoidaki• STEM Workshop || Elina Zoidaki• HandieDance (inclusive movement & expression) – Lev Narozhny, Andreas Kalaitzakis & Eleni Kavazidou (ESAEI EN ROI & Sign Language Club)• Open dialogue and counseling space with experts

INSTALLATIONS• Sandmap Interactive Learning Platform – Senselab, Technical University of Crete (student team, supported by ESC youth workers)• Astronomy observation using a telescope (stars, planets, lunar surfaces) with expert support

HONORARY AWARDS• “The Awakening of the Muse” (Part I) – performance by Lambrini Boviatsou

• “CLIO” Award to Ioannis Volanakisfor contribution to historical literature and social work

Presentation includes:– Overview of the awardee’s work– Video excerpts– Photo report & biography reading

Speakers:Konstantinos StavrogiannakisChristos TsantisAthina Ntoulia (University of Ioannina)

• “ERATO” Award to Sifis Michelogiannisfor contribution to lyric poetry

Includes presentations, recitations, and exhibition of the awardee’s poetry collection

🕗 20:00 – 22:00 | Young Creators Evenings (“Act II”)

Presentation of works by young creators and emerging or returning artists, including:• Poetry recitations and dramatizations (Creative Writing & Self-awareness Workshop – Radamanthys Publications)• Cretan lyra performance by a student of the Chania Music School• Additional entries for scholarship competitions (Rhodes & Thessaloniki)

SUNDAY, APRIL 26, 2026

🕡 18:30 – 20:00 | Workshops & Honorary Awards

WORKSHOPS• Artistic expression workshop || Elina Zoidaki• Creative writing workshops || Chrysi Zoidaki• Visual arts workshops (painting, mixed media, constructions)• HandieDance (inclusive movement & expression)

INSTALLATIONS• Sandmap installation – Senselab• Astronomy observation with telescope

HONORARY AWARDS• “The Awakening of the Muse” (Part II) – performance

• “URANIA” Award to astronomer Giannis Papamastorakisfor contribution to science, astronomy outreach, and social impact

Includes live connection with Heraklion and presentations by experts

• “EUTERPE” Award to Georgios Kaloutsisfor contribution to orchestral art and social impact

Includes presentations and award ceremony

Choral tribute dedicated to the awardee

🕗 20:00 – 22:00 | Young Creators Evenings (“Act II”)

Continuation of the open stage:• Poetry recitations and dramatizations• Cretan lyra performance (Music School student)• Dance performance (Music School student)• Additional scholarship competition entries

SCHOLARSHIPS

Scholarships will be awarded for participation in European activities and festivals(Thessaloniki – July 2026, Rhodes or Thessaloniki – September 2026), supporting youth creative mobility.

ORGANIZING TEAM

• Presenter: Christina Veryvaki

• Coordination: Soula Zotou, Eleni Kavazidou, Christos Tsantis, Eleni Tsioli;

• Technical Support: Lev Narozhny, Georges Korra (European Solidarity Corps)

• Inclusive Workshops: Elina & Chrysi Zoidaki• Senselab Team Leader: Panagiotis Partsinevelos (with Christina Brembou)

YOUTH PARTICIPATION

Apply to the Open Platform for Young Creators:https://forms.gle/5odn1oQvzkd8guAA8

Chania transforms for two days into a vibrant hub of creativity and connection, promoting active participation and contemporary cultural expression.