Anogeia: 82 Years Since the Third Holocaust

On Thursday, August 13, Anogeia marked the 82nd anniversary of the settlement’s Third Holocaust with commemorative events. It is described as the harshest and most violent destruction the place suffered on August 13, 1944, at the hands of the Nazi occupation forces. Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis attended the events. Also present were members of parliament, Crete Regional Governor Stavros Arnaoutakis, and representatives of local government. The anniversary is observed every year with a fixed ritual.

The programme began at 11:00 at the Holy Church of Agios Ioannis, with the arrival of officials and the doxology. A memorial prayer service followed at the War Memorial, in Armi Square, led by the Metropolitan of Rethymno and Avlopotamos, Prodromos. The official address, titled “Anogeia: The tomorrow that bloomed from yesterday’s ashes,” was delivered by economist Despina Saloustrou. Wreaths were laid, followed by a minute of silence and the national anthem. The ceremony closed with an excerpt from the song “Oh, My Anogeian Madonna” by Eirini Anagnostaki, performed by Giorgis Vrentzos.

Mayor of Anogeia Sokratis Kefalogiannis placed the anniversary within the context of collective memory. “Anogeia is not simply a place with a heavy historical burden,” he said. “It is a place that transformed pain into culture, destruction into creation, and memory into responsibility. August 13 is a day of pure remembrance and national self-awareness.” The statement captures how the local community carries this historical weight.

Crete Regional Governor Stavros Arnaoutakis also spoke, noting that “Anogeia shows us the way against fear and authoritarianism.” The remark links the historical event to present-day concerns. The Region of Crete consistently takes part in the island’s anniversary events. Memorial events for the holocausts of Cretan settlements are held in various areas throughout the summer months. Most coincide with the dates of the respective events.

The 1944 Holocaust of Anogeia is one of the most significant events of the Occupation period in Crete. The settlement was completely destroyed and its population was displaced. The rebuilding that followed after the war changed the village’s form. Anogeia nevertheless retained a strong cultural identity, with a marked presence in the island’s music and tradition. The memory of the event remains a central element of local self-identity.

The anniversary events form part of a broader calendar of remembrance observed in Crete. In Apokoronas, for example, a memorial event for the victims of the Kryoneridas Cave has been scheduled for Sunday, August 16. Such events are usually organised by municipalities in cooperation with local associations. Participation by government and regional officials is common. This year’s presence of the Deputy Prime Minister gave particular weight to the ceremony.

Creta Today will cover the remaining memorial events of the period. More from Rethymno on the Rethymno page. The events took place on a day when the entire island was under high wildfire risk. The programme was not affected by weather conditions. Local authorities thanked those in attendance for taking part.