With particular success, the Christmas events organized by the Hellenic Mediterranean University (HMU) were held on Wednesday 17 and Thursday 18 December 2025 at the Heraklion University Campus, with the participation of the academic community and a large number of visitors.
The two-day programme highlighted the University’s social and cultural role, combining the festive spirit of Christmas with creativity, collaboration, and the active participation of students, staff, and partner organizations.
Wednesday, 17 December 2025
At the “Emm. Smyrnákis” Amphitheatre, activities with strong symbolic meaning and a participatory character took place, including the creation of Christmas ornaments and the decoration of Christmas trees. The children of the HMU Daycare Centre sang traditional Christmas carols, creating a warm and festive atmosphere, while the programme was complemented by traditional dances performed by the HMU Cretan Dance Group. Refreshments were offered to attendees by the HMU Administrative Staff Association, the Crete Tourism Vocational Training Institute (SAEK Tourism of Crete), and the catering company “GEFSINOUS,” contributing to the overall festive experience.
The University’s radio station, Studio FM1 105.4, also participated in the events, broadcasting the festive atmosphere to the wider public.
Thursday, 18 December 2025
The morning programme included the “Christmas Cooking Competition 2025,” held at the “Emm. Smyrnákis” Amphitheatre, which enjoyed strong participation and fostered a spirit of creativity, collaboration, and social contribution. Gifts were awarded to the three winning teams.
The events concluded in the evening of the same day with the central Christmas celebration of HMU, held at the Amphitheatre of the Indoor Sports Hall “Markos Karanastasis.” The event offered the audience a high-quality choral evening dedicated to the spirit of Christmas and collectivity.
The choral event featured:
- the HMU Choir,
- the Mixed Choir of the Municipality of Heraklion,
- the Experimental Choral Workshop of the Municipality of Heraklion, and
- the Choir of the University of Crete (Rethymno Schools),
presenting a polyphonic and artistically accomplished audiovisual programme that received warm applause from those in attendance.
The evening highlighted the dynamic collaboration between academic institutions and local cultural organizations, reaffirming the active role of the Hellenic Mediterranean University in connecting the academic community with local society and culture. The strong public turnout underscored the importance of such initiatives, which enhance cultural outreach and promote the values of cooperation, creativity, and social cohesion.
The two-day event “Christmas at HMU 2025” was organized by the Directorate of Student Affairs and the Office of Communication and Public Relations of HMU and concluded with complete success, leaving a strong positive impact on the academic community and all participants.
