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Rethymno, Crete
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First scraped
2026-08-01 13:38
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2026-09-29 12:37
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2026-08-26 06:37
Rethymno Transforms into an Open-Air Gallery!

This May, Rethymno transforms into a living open-air studio as it hosts the highly anticipated  "Sculpture Days" 2026 .

From  May 8th to May 20th , the city invites residents and visitors to step behind the scenes of the artistic process and witness the ancient art of marble carving come to life.

A Unique Collaboration with the Athens School of Fine Arts

This initiative is a prestigious collaboration between the  Municipality of Rethymno, Department of Culture coordinates by vice mayor Manos Tsakonas  and the  Marble Sculpture Laboratory of the Athens School of Fine Arts (ASFA) . Ten talented students from the School have traveled to Rethymno to work under the guidance of the renowned sculptor and lab supervisor,  Dimitris Christogiannis .

The "Sculpture Days" are part of a broader vision to establish small-scale festivals and cultural celebrations that bring every form of art directly to the people.

The Theme: "Ideon Cave" (Ideon Andron)

The inspiration for this year’s workshop is deeply rooted in Cretan history and mythology:  The Ideon Cave .

Known as the mythical birthplace of Zeus, the cave represents a powerful symbol of birth, protection, and the ancient roots of the island.

The artists will interpret this theme through stone, carving ten unique sculptures that reflect the mystery and majesty of the Psiloritis mountains.

Meet the Artists

Kosmidi Marianna, Oikonomopoulou Konstantina, Xirogianni Antigoni, Foteinos Manolis, Kapnisti Myrto, Giannopoulou Georgia, Roky Drozd, Koutsouris Iasonas, Kotsaftis Dimitris, and Konstantopoulou Elena.

A Live Artistic Experience

What makes "Sculpture Days" truly special is its  interactive nature . Instead of seeing a finished statue in a gallery, the public is encouraged to visit the   Art Station  in Rethymno during working hours.

Visitors can hear the rhythmic sound of the chisel, see the fine marble dust in the air, and watch as raw blocks of stone are slowly transformed into expressive works of art. It is a rare opportunity to engage with the artists, ask questions, and understand the physical and creative labor involved in sculpture.

A Permanent Legacy for Rethymno

Visit the Workshop

The workshop is open to the public, schools, and visitors daily. We invite you to stop by and experience the "Cretan Miracle" of creation.

Dates:  May 8 – 20, 2026

Visiting Hours:  Daily 11:00 – 14:00 & 18:00 – 20:00

Location:  ASFA Art Station, Rethymno

 

Don’t miss this chance to see Rethymno’s history carved in stone!
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EN Original source text

Sculpture Days" 2026

Rethymno Transforms into an Open-Air Gallery!

This May, Rethymno transforms into a living open-air studio as it hosts the highly anticipated  "Sculpture Days" 2026 .

From  May 8th to May 20th , the city invites residents and visitors to step behind the scenes of the artistic process and witness the ancient art of marble carving come to life.

A Unique Collaboration with the Athens School of Fine Arts

This initiative is a prestigious collaboration between the  Municipality of Rethymno, Department of Culture coordinates by vice mayor Manos Tsakonas  and the  Marble Sculpture Laboratory of the Athens School of Fine Arts (ASFA) . Ten talented students from the School have traveled to Rethymno to work under the guidance of the renowned sculptor and lab supervisor,  Dimitris Christogiannis .

The "Sculpture Days" are part of a broader vision to establish small-scale festivals and cultural celebrations that bring every form of art directly to the people.

The Theme: "Ideon Cave" (Ideon Andron)

The inspiration for this year’s workshop is deeply rooted in Cretan history and mythology:  The Ideon Cave .

Known as the mythical birthplace of Zeus, the cave represents a powerful symbol of birth, protection, and the ancient roots of the island.

The artists will interpret this theme through stone, carving ten unique sculptures that reflect the mystery and majesty of the Psiloritis mountains.

Meet the Artists

Kosmidi Marianna, Oikonomopoulou Konstantina, Xirogianni Antigoni, Foteinos Manolis, Kapnisti Myrto, Giannopoulou Georgia, Roky Drozd, Koutsouris Iasonas, Kotsaftis Dimitris, and Konstantopoulou Elena.

A Live Artistic Experience

What makes "Sculpture Days" truly special is its  interactive nature . Instead of seeing a finished statue in a gallery, the public is encouraged to visit the   Art Station  in Rethymno during working hours.

Visitors can hear the rhythmic sound of the chisel, see the fine marble dust in the air, and watch as raw blocks of stone are slowly transformed into expressive works of art. It is a rare opportunity to engage with the artists, ask questions, and understand the physical and creative labor involved in sculpture.

A Permanent Legacy for Rethymno

Visit the Workshop

The workshop is open to the public, schools, and visitors daily. We invite you to stop by and experience the "Cretan Miracle" of creation.

Dates:  May 8 – 20, 2026

Visiting Hours:  Daily 11:00 – 14:00 & 18:00 – 20:00

Location:  ASFA Art Station, Rethymno

 

Don’t miss this chance to see Rethymno’s history carved in stone!