“Crete at a Crossroads of Civilizations” was the title of the third Summer School organized by the Center for Ancient Greek and Chinese Civilizations (KELKIP), in collaboration with the School of Philosophy of the University of Crete.
Students from Chinese universities visited landmark archaeological sites and museums in Athens, Heraklion, Rethymno, and Chania, engaging in curated tours that highlighted the multiple civilizations that have intersected on the island—from the Minoan era to modern times.
The program combined site visits with lectures and hands-on workshops. Students explored the Linear B script and compared it with the Phoenician alphabet, gaining insight into how writing technologies shaped the emergence of law. Through epigraphic case studies from Dreros and Gortyna, the program emphasized the role of legislation in ancient Greek polities, democracy, and philosophical thinking, including Plato’s vision of an ideal Cretan colony.
Designed by Professor Chloe Balla (Department of Philosophy) and Assistant Professor Artemi Karnava (Department of History and Archaeology), the program featured contributions from:
Assistant Professor Thanasis Mailis (Department of History and Archaeology), Dr. Ioanna Venieri (Epigraphic Museum, Ministry of Culture), Assoc. Prof. Antonis Anastasopoulos, (Department of History and Archaeology), Assoc. Prof. Yiannis Kokkinakis, (Department of History and Archaeology), Dr. Eleni Kovaiou (University of Crete Library), and Assistant Professor Sofia Trouli (Department of Primary Education).
The three-day stay in Anopoli, Sfakia was supported by the Municipality of Sfakia, and the overall coordination was undertaken by the Welcome Office of the University of Crete.
During their stay, students and local residents watched “The Answer to Forever” (Zheng Yunchang, China 2024), introduced by Professor Aris Tsantiropoulos (Department of Sociology), as part of the Cinephil101 Festival (www.cinephil101.com).
Educational activities hosted at the local primary school included a session titled “From Ideogram to Letter” and a Chinese calligraphy workshop for children.
Participants also had the chance to experience the breathtaking beaches of southern Crete in the Sfakia region and enjoy traditional Cretan cuisine, further deepening their connection with the island’s natural beauty and living culture.
The program concluded with a field visit to the traditional settlement of Aradena and the 14th-century church of Archangel Michael, offering insights into the connection between Byzantine architecture, painting, and sacred space in medieval Crete.
A Chinese student’s sketch of her Cretan journey 🇨🇳🇬🇷
Featuring the logos of the University of Crete and Southwest University, this artwork celebrates friendship through culture and learning.
