Malevizi Festival’s opening night draws large crowds in Gazi, mayor says

The 4th Malevizi Festival opened with a well-attended concert in Gazi, according to Cretalive, with the municipality reporting a large turnout of singing and dancing crowds on the opening night.

In his welcome remarks, Mayor of Malevizi Menelaos Bokeas said the municipal authority’s goal is for the festival to grow richer and more dynamic each year, responding to residents’ needs and expectations. “The Malevizi Festival is a reality. I invite you to live it with us, to embrace it, to become part of it, so we can repeat it and develop it, building a lasting cultural institution for Malevizi and beyond,” Bokeas said at the opening. He thanked those who attended, saying the scale of participation is what allows the event to keep growing.

The percussion group Batala Creta opened the program, followed by singer Sotiris Margaritis performing with the Despicables Band, who played a set of well-known Greek songs. According to Cretalive, singer Konstantina Touni then took the stage and drew both young and older attendees into dancing, turning the venue into an open-air party.

Saturday lineup and cultural stalls

The Malevizi Festival, now in its fourth year, continues Saturday with performances by singers Nefeli Fasouli and Panos Vlachos, Cretalive reported.

Alongside the main stage, several cultural associations are also set to host stalls in the square, including Astyrakiou (“O Astyrakas”), Kitharida, the Rodia Theatrical Group Association, and the cultural associations of Fodele, Keramoutsi and Gonies. Organizers said the groups will offer local products, food, and hands-on activities for visitors.

The festival is one of several cultural gatherings taking place across Crete this month, alongside a wider calendar of events in Crete.