Chania features a rich cultural tradition. The Cretan folk tradition is often imprinted on the local art (weaving, pottery, wood carving, ect) and on the artistic expression of the locals in general. Simple village women, as well as women's cooperatives, produce marvelous silk and woolen goods, such as tablecloths, blankets, clothes, sheets, ect.  In Chania you may also find unique handcrafted goods from glass, wood, metal and ceramics. 

Especially interesting is the art of the Cretan boot-making (called "stivania") and the Cretan dagger making. Visitors will have many opportunities to enrich their journey and learn more on the Cretan traditions and heritage by exploring the local arts and by participating in folk art festival.

Please visit the following links to learn more about the Cretan traditions: 

• Bibliography (in Greek)
• ΙΟV Hellas -International Organization of Folk Art (in Greek)

• Music Laboratory LABYRINTH
• Audio-visual Archive of ERT, the Cretan "lyra"
  
• Institute for Research on Music and Acoustics
• The Fathers of Cretan Music
  

• Stivanadika
• Events for the traditional professions (ΚΑΜ of Chania)