Conference Gala Dinner

The Conference Gala Dinner will take place on the 15^th of June 2027 at the Venizelos Tombs.

The Venizelos Tombs are a historic landmark located next to the Church of Prophet Elias, on the outskirts of Chania. They are the burial place of Eleftherios Venizelos , the renowned Greek statesman and seven-time Prime Minister of Greece, and his son, Sophoklis Venizelos , who also served briefly as Prime Minister.

Set in a peaceful pine-covered park, the site offers panoramic views of Chania and is one of the city’s most important landmarks.

Next to Eleftherios Venizelos’ tomb, his eulogy, which he delivered in the Hellenic Parliament in April 1932, is inscribed in metal letters:

“The deceased before you was a true man, with courage and self-confidence, both in himself and in the people whom he was called upon to govern. He may have made many mistakes, but he never lacked courage; he was never fatalistic, because he never expected fate to bring progress to his country. Instead, he placed at its service all the fire he carried within him, and every physical and spiritual strength he possessed.”
— Eleftherios Venizelos, speech in the Hellenic Parliament, April 1932

On the wall behind the two tombs is the dedication by the renowned Greek poet Kostis Palamas:

“If the tomb deserves adornment,
set upon it an upright lamp,
with the same everlasting flame
that is Greece.” 
— Kostis Palamas 

Source: Wikipedia – Venizelos Tombs