Haniotika Nea | August 9, 2025 The Cultural Association of Elos, Limni, and Louchio, also know as the "Renaissance," hosted a special evening of music and dance for approximately 400 Cretans visiting from America.  The event was held at the former Innahori city hall and featured performances by ten bands, two dance clubs, and the Rizita group from Kissamos. The gathering was initiated by Yiannis Bertakis, a villager of Elos who now lives in America for 53 years. Read more about the guests and the cultural experience enjoyed by all attendees.

HANIOTIKA NEA | August 8, 2025 Read about the inauguration/ribbon cutting ceremony of the Epilepsy Clinic taking place on August 11 in PAGNI. Dignitaries, place and time are provided. On August 6, members of the PAA from around the world gathered at the Historic cafe "KIPOS" and were greeted by the owner Mr. Vasilis Stathakis. All attendees received a complimentary book "Cross the Ocean" by Niki Troullinou. 

Hania.news | August 7, 2025 Two events are highlighted in this article. The inauguration/ribbon cutting ceremony of the Epilepsy Clinic on August 11 in PAGNI. Dignitaries, place and time are provided. On August 6, members of the PAA from around the world gathered at the Historic cafe "KIPOS" and were presented with the release of a new book "Cross the Ocean" by Niki Troullinou. 

RETHNEA.GR | August 4, 2025  The General Assembly of the World Council of Cretans (WCC) recently convened in Rethymno, focusing on the significant contributions of expatriate Cretans both abroad and in Greece.

At the assembly, WCC President Nikos Kastrinakis welcomed official guests. The event highlighted numerous initiatives by WCC federations and members worldwide aimed at preserving Cretan identity. President Diane Kounalakis presented the Pancretan Association of America's (PAA) fundraising efforts for the establishment of the first Epilepsy Unit at the University Hospital of Heraklion.

ZARPA NEWS | August 3, 2025 Cretans from all over the world danced syrtaki to the music of Mikis Theodorakis. "It was our obligation to honor Mikis Theodorakis. We wanted a participatory way because that's what Mikis Theodorakis was like," explained Nikos Kastrinakis, president of the World Council of Cretans. The event was organized by the Municipality of Chania and the World Council of Cretans to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of the great composer.

neakriti.gr | August 3, 2025  The General Assembly of the World Council of Cretans (WCC) took place with strong participation at the "THEOMITOR" Social & Cultural Ministry Center in Rethymno. Nikos Kastrinakis, President of the WCC, extended a warm welcome to the official guests which included representatives from the island's political, religious, and military authorities in attendance. Information regarding their 2026 conference will become more specific after the August 10th announcement.

Haniotika Nea | August 3, 2025  Nikos Kastrinakis, president of the World Council of Cretans, and Diane Kounalakis, president of the Pancretan Association of America shared insights with "Haniotika Nea" on connecting young diaspora Cretans with their heritage. Their interview underscored the role of cultural, educational, and philanthropic events in preserving local traditions.

Haniotika Nea | "100 Years of Mikis Theodorakis"  The Municipality of Chania and the World Council of Cretans are co-organizing the honorary event of the birth of Mikis Theodorakis on Sunday. August 3, at the Venetian Port of Chania. Read more about the details of this event and the unique participation of associations from around the world. (July 30, 2025)

Arnaoutakis Meet with the Leadership of the Pancretan Association of America The Region of Crete supported the PAA National Dance Workshop in New York in March of this year. President Diane Kounalakis and Executive Vice President, Nikos Kastrinakis, visited the Governor of Crete, Stavros Arnaoutakis to express on behalf of the Greek diaspora their thanks and presented the Governor with a commemorative phot of the participants as a sign of gratitude and honor. (July 23, 2025)

Greek America Foundation | June 2025 Congratulations to PAA President Diane Kounalakis, who was among 22 extraordinary women honored at the Greek America Foundation's 2025 Gabby Awards.  The prestigious event, held on June 7, 2025, at The Plaza Hotel in New York City, celebrated  women whose professional accomplishments and community leadership exemplify the foundation’s core values of excellence and philanthropy.  You can learn more about Diane Kounalakis's recognition in this YouTube video:  2025 Gabby Awards Honoree Diane Kounalakis.

RETHNEA.GR | JUNE 6, 2025 Read the recent article in RETHEMNIOTIKA NEA by clicking the link or scanning the QR code. PAA President Diane Kounalakis and World Council of Cretans President Nikos Kastrinakis discuss the upcoming 49th National Convention in West Palm Beach, Florida.

ZARPA NEWS March 4, 2025 Click on the link or use the QR code to read the recent article published in the ZARPA NEWS.  President Diane Kounalakis shares the many philanthropic endeavors of the PAA in Crete and the recent support of the first Epilepsy Monitoring Unit at the University Hospital of Heraklion.

CLICK HERE to read the recent article in the Haniotika Nea published August 13, 2024. Congratulations to our PAA General Supervisor Nikos Katstrinakis who will be serving as President of the World Council of Cretans. Newly elected Executive Board Members include: Fotis Fiotodimitrakis, Vice President; Maria Vamvakis, Secretary; Bianca Pidonakis, Treasurer. The elections took place on August 12. To view more photos visit our website photo album here: World Council of Cretans August 2024.

CLICK HERE to read the recent article published in Greek News USA about the World Council of Cretans and the newly elected officers. Congratulations to Nikos Katstrinakis who will be serving as President. Newly elected Executive Board Members include: Fotis Fiotodimitrakis, Vice President; Maria Vamvakis, Secretary; Bianca Pidonakis, Treasurer. The elections took place on August 12. To view more photos visit our website photo album here: World Council of Cretans August 2024.

CLICK HERE to read about the National Research Foundation "Eleftherios K. Venizelos" in Chania. On August 1 President Diane Kounalakis and PAA Vice President John Marakis met with General Director Nikolaos Papadakis-Papadis to discuss the valued support of the PAA. PAA members traveling to Crete on August 12 were invited to an event honoring new board members. We congratulate our PAA President Diane Kounalakis on her appointment to the board. 

CLICK HERE to read the Haniotika Nea. On August 9, 2024, President Diane Kounalakis and members of the PAA from across the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and Greece attended the Celebration for Expatriate Cretans in the Venetian Port, Chania. The event was co-organized by the Region of Crete – Chania Regional Unit, the Municipality of Chania with the kind support of the PAA, the Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand as well as the World Council of Cretans.

CLICK HERE to read the Haniotika Nea. On August 7, 2024, President Diane Kounalakis, Philanthropic Chair Evangelia Hobitakis, and members of the PAA from across the United States gathered at the "KIPO" in Chania. This annual meeting in August began over 10 years ago. The meeting was also attended by President Manolis Mountakis and members of the Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand. When you click on the link, be sure to select the Greek or English version to read.

CLICK HERE  to read the Haniotika Nea. On Wednesday, July 24 President Diane Kounalakis, Vice President John Marakis, Philanthropic Chair Evangelia Hobitakis, and East Coast PYA Advisor Olga Markogiannakis visited three charitable organizations in Chania that the PAA has been consistently supporting for the past few years. 

CLICK HERE to see the photo spread and read the write up on the Technical University of Crete website for the 

Flora & Fauna Park Summer Reception 

hosted by the PAA PEF at the Polytechnic Botanical Park in Chania. (July 2024)

CLICK HERE to see the photo spread and write up in the PARAKRITIKA for the 2024 Dance Workshop by the Viglatores. Participants were Cretan Youth from our PYA and Cretan youth from Australia.

CLICK HERE to see the photo spread and write up in the Hellenic Journal for the 2024 Aporiatiko Cretans of Omonoia of Orange County event this Spring.

CLICK HERE to read an article about the philanthropic work completed along with the computer donation in the Haniotika Nea, April 2024. 

CLICK HERE to read the article on the Venizelos Foundation and PAA's memorial in memory of Elefherios Venizelos in Greek News USA

CLICK HERE to read the article from The National Herald (in Greek) about the PAA and the Venizelion Foundation organizing the 88th anniversary memorial for former Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos at St. Elefhterios in NYC, March 17, 2024. CLICK HERE to read the online version.

CLICK HERE to read about the Venizelos Foundation & PAA Memorial on March 17, 2024 in NYC.

CLICK HERE to read about the Annual Cretan Dance hosted by the KRITIKI FILOXENIA of Staten Island that took place on March 16, 2024 in the National Greek Herald.  

CLICK HERE to read the article in the Xaniotika Nea on February 18, 2024 regarding the donation of computers from the PYA/PAA to the Boy's Orphanage in Chania.  

CLICK HERE to read the ERT story on the donation of Computers to the Boy's Orphanage on February 20, 2024

CLICK HERE to read the story in the Anamneseis newspaper on February 19, 2024 on the donation of computers to the Boy's Orphanage

CLICK HERE to read the latest article on the PAA Philanthropic efforts as reported in the Haniotika Nea, February 5, 2024

CLICK HERE for the Greek Version of the online Magazine Hellenic DNA interview with President Kounalakis on October 31, 2023.

CLICK HERE to read the English Version of the Online Magazine Hellenic DNA interview with President Kounalakis on October 31, 2023.

CLICK HERE  to read the latest version of the ΚΡΗΤΑΙΕΙΣ ΤΕΥΧΟΣ 30 from the World Council of Cretans

The December 9 magazine cover story on the Pancretan Association and an interview with President Kounalakis

https://www.ekirikas.com/ntaian-kounalaki-sto-periodiko-i-pa/

Haniotika Nea Article on the meeting between President Kounalakis and the Governor of Crete Stavros Arnaoutakis

https://www.haniotika-nea.gr/synantisi-arnaoytaki-me-omogeneis/

Rethynea News article with meeting Vice Governor Maria Lioni and Mayor George Marinakis

https://rethnea.gr/synantisi-d-s-tis-pagkritikis-enosis-amerikis-antiperifereiarchi/?fbclid=IwAR28jB

Greek News USA article on the visit with the Mayor of Rethymnon

Greek News USA

OrthodoxNews Agency with the Bishop of Rethymnon

Orthodox News Agency

CretaLive article on the meeting with Nikos Papadakis of the Venizelion Foundation

CretaLIVE

Hellenic Journal announces our new PAA President, October 2023

Xaniotika Nea article highlighting the visit of former PAA President James Boutzoukas, current Executive VP John Marakis and General Supervisor Nickos Kastrinakis visiting the Typographical Museum, 2022