Apokoronas Commemorates 160 Years Since the Battle of Vrysses
On Monday, August 31, 2026, the village of Vrysses in Apokoronas will host a public ceremony to mark the 160th anniversary of the Battle of Vrysses, fought between August 26 and 29, 1866 — one of the defining moments of Crete's long struggle for independence. The event begins at 7:00 p.m. at the Kefalovrysi memorial, the monument dedicated to this historic battle.
The ceremony is jointly organised by the Region of Crete – Chania Unit, the Municipality of Apokoronas, the Vrysses Cultural Association, the non-profit foundation "Agia Sofia", the Vrysses Local Community, and the Federation of Apokoronas Associations in Attica.
An Evening of Remembrance
The programme opens with the arrival of official guests between 6:50 and 7:00 p.m., followed by a memorial prayer at 7:05 p.m. The ceremony then moves through a solemn wreath-laying, a minute of silence for the fallen, and the singing of the national anthem.
The historical centrepiece of the evening is an address by Emmanouil Nikoloudis, a lawyer from Chania, who will recount the events of the battle and their significance. After greetings from the organising bodies, the evening closes with Rizitika songs performed by the artistic group "O Apokoronas" — the ancient folk songs of western Crete that have carried the island's memory through the centuries.
Information for Organisations Laying Wreaths
Associations and institutions that wish to lay a wreath are responsible for making their own. Two important requirements apply:
- Delivery deadline: Wreaths must be at the Kefalovrysi monument at least one hour before the start of the ceremony — no later than 6:00 p.m. on August 31, 2026.
- Representative registration: The name of the person who will lay the wreath must be notified by phone no later than 10:00 a.m. on August 31, 2026.
- Contact number: 28253 40300
Event Schedule at a Glance
- 6:50–7:00 p.m.: Arrival of official guests
- 7:05 p.m.: Opening of the ceremony — memorial prayer
- Wreath-laying
- One minute of silence
- National anthem
- Historical address by Emmanouil Nikoloudis
- Greetings from the organisers
- Rizitika songs by the artistic group "O Apokoronas"
The event is open to the public. Residents of Apokoronas and visitors alike are warmly invited to attend and share in this moment of collective memory.