“Crete at a Crossroads of Civilizations” is the title of the third educational winter program organized by the Centre for Ancient Greek and Chinese Civilizations (KELKIP), in collaboration with the School of Philosophy of the University of Crete, the Institute for Mediterranean Studies (IMS–FORTH), and Southwest University of China.
The program will take place from January 21st, 2026 to February 9th, 2026, in Athens, Heraklion, Rethymno, and Chania.
It is aimed at students from Chinese universities and is designed to offer them an introductory encounter with the diverse cultures that have intersected in Crete from antiquity to modern Greece. This will be achieved through visits to museums, archaeological sites, as well as towns and smaller villages across the island.
In addition to guided tours of historical sites and museums in Crete and lectures at the University of Crete, the program includes educational workshops on ancient scripts. It also features visits to emblematic archaeological sites and museums in Athens, as well as places that introduce students to the history of modern Greece.
This program significantly contributes to the University of Crete’s international outreach, showcasing Crete as a historical meeting point of civilizations and a bridge between the “East” and the “West.”
Instructors
- Antonis Anastasopoulos – Professor of Ottoman History, Department of History and Archaeology, University of Crete; Collaborating Faculty Member, Institute for Mediterranean Studies, Foundation for Research and Technology–Hellas (FORTH)
- Chloe Balla – Professor of Ancient Philosophy, Department of Philosophy, University of Crete; Director of the Philosophical Research and Translation Lab (UCRC) and President of the KELKIP
- Kassandra Beikaki – Greek language teacher, Experimental High School of the University of Crete, (Rethymno), PhD Candidate in Didactics of Philosophy
- Eleni Kaklamanou – Assistant Professor of Ancient Greek Philosophy, Philosophy Department, University of Crete
- Artemis Karnava – Assistant Professor in Prehistoric Archaeology, Department of History and Archaeology, University of Crete
- Rania Katavouta – PhD, Department of Greek Language, School of European and Latin American Studies, Shanghai International Studies University
- Athina Kavoulaki – Associate Professor, Department of Philology (Division of Classical Studies), University of Crete
- Eleni Kovaiou – Head Librarian, University of Crete Library
- Thanasis Mailis – Assistant Professor of Byzantine Archaeology, Department of History and Archaeology, University of Crete
- Kalliopi Papamanoli – Postdoctoral Researcher, Philologist seconded to KELKIP, Philosophy Department, University of Crete
- Sophia Trouli – Assistant Professor of Museum Studies, Department of Primary Education, University of Crete; Museum Educator, Museum of Contemporary Art of Crete (Rethymno)
- Aristeidis (Aris) Tsantiropoulos – Associate Professor of Social Anthropology, Department of Sociology, University of Crete
- Ioanna Venieri – Archaeologist, Hellenic Ministry of Culture; Head of the Department of Exhibitions, Communication and Education, Epigraphic Museum, Athens
More information:
📧 chloeballa@uoc.gr
📧 k.paterogiannaki@uoc.gr
