Chania to host conference honoring Pavlos Vlastos

To mark the centenary of the death of Pavlos Vlastos (1836–1926), the Historical Archives of Crete and the Chania Regional Unit, in collaboration with the Chania Spiritual Center, are organizing a two-day scientific conference. The event, titled ‘Pavlos Vlastos (†1926): Archive, work and contribution to Cretan culture’, will take place on September 25 and 26, 2026, at the Chania Spiritual Center.

Known as the ‘father of Cretan folklore’, Vlastos was a scholar, teacher, and musician who dedicated over seventy years to preserving the island's cultural heritage. His extensive archive, consisting of 93 manuscript volumes, was donated to the Historical Archives of Crete in 1963 and remains a vital resource for studying Greek folk tradition, linguistics, and music.

The conference will feature presentations from university professors, researchers, and musicologists regarding Vlastos's biography and his contributions to Byzantine and traditional music. The program also includes musical performances by various artists and choirs to showcase his original recordings and compositions.