When Gouves Mayor Yiorgos Nikolakakis first announced the creation of the Leonardo da Vinci exhibition, few were those who believed in the success of this difficult undertaking.

However, the exhibition did take place! It was even extended, before closing last month after almost one year!  

Present at the closing ceremony were mayor Nikolakakis, the Iraklion Prefect Mrs. Schinaraki, MP Avgenakis and other dignitaries.

Mr. Karabikas, president of Alpha Exhibitions SA that had undertaken the organization of the exhibition, expressed his thanks and wished for a future of similar cultural efforts.   

Mayor Nikolakakis gave commemorative gifts to all the students from the Iraklion School of Arts who were present.

The exhibition went on for 10 months, numbered about 80,000 visitors, from which 30,000 were students, and gave the possibility to Cretans, and to all the visitors to the island, to learn about the man who in his life fought to achieve the impossible and craved the unachievable.

It also showed that henceforth we must continue with undertakings of this sort and not let the tremendous success of this event become just a sweet memory. The people need cultural events and the former American base in Gournes should not be the "cultural park" in name only. Let's do something about it.

For all of us who lived this adventure, through difficult times and problems, but also through happiness and incredible satisfaction, closing day was emotionally charged, but also a day filled with promises to continue the dream.