On Saturday, June 21, 2025, the Summer School in Classics: Crete Past and Present, organized for the second time by the Division of Classical Studies of the UoC Department of Philology, successfully concluded its week-long program.

Held in Rethymno from June 15–21, the Summer School welcomed 16 students from all levels of study and from universities across Europe (Edinburgh, Glasgow, Southampton, Warwick, Kent, Sorbonne, Prague), the United States (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign), China (Yan’an University, Renmin University), and Australia (University of Sydney).

This year’s theme, “Crete on Stage,” explored ancient theater in Crete and depictions of Crete in ancient drama. The program offered a rich blend of academic learning and hands-on experience, using an interdisciplinary approach that combined the study of texts, inscriptions, and the island’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage. Students engaged deeply with Crete’s cultural legacy both in the classroom and through guided site visits.

Courses took place at the XENIA Student Cultural Center in Rethymno, with educational excursions to archaeological sites and museums in Rethymno and Heraklion, including Aptera, Lyttos, Knossos, and the Archaeological Museums of Chania and Heraklion.

The program brought together the University of Crete’s faculty and international experts. Professor Kostas Panayotakis (University of Glasgow) offered lectures on Roman theater and led a workshop on related material culture. Professor Antonis Kotsonas (New York University) welcomed students to the active excavation at ancient Lyttos, offering an on-site tour and archaeological insights.

Summer Schools are a key pillar of the University of Crete’s educational mission and a strategic tool for enhancing international collaboration, academic visibility, and student engagement. Read more about UoC Summer Schools here.