In a warm atmosphere which gave a scent of revelry in the ancient Greek symposium sense, the poet and long time Gouves resident Kostas Kargakis took his honors.

Mr. Kargakis is the president of the Gouves cultural association, and in addition to his invaluable experience as an educator, he serves as a civic leader for the township, as well as recording authentic accounts from WWII fighters from his home-town area of Vorizi, Messara and Amari.

A descendant of a 1940 resistance fighter, Yiorgo Kargaki, he writes in an authentic poetic fashion, which hits the reader with its clarity of his use of Cretan dialect.

It is devoid of Venetian and Turkish nuances, but enriched with Doric elements which have survived throughout the years.

Also, his writings recall the memories of that historic period as well as older Cretan historic moments which center in the great Cretan war against the Turks which ended with the capture of the Great Castle in 1669.

His inspiration in his poetic steps, which will soon be published, are Homer, the Scriptures, Kornaros, Kavafis, and especially Elytis and Ritsos, but above all his village and his island with its words and history.

Excerpts from his poems were read by: Popi Lasithiotaki, engraver Kosta Dolapsaki, Yiorgo Pateraki and Kiki Alexaki as well as the poet himself.

Many local and Iraklion dignitaries were on hand for this wonderful evening, in the Krites Restaurant (at the old American base), which included the impressive sounds of Linda Athanasopoulou, Niko Katsaraki and Nidko Kargaki.

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