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Vandals behead bust of celebrated Cretan musician Nikos Xylouris

Tuesday, 21 April 2026/SourceGoogle News/1 min read
A bust of Nikos Xylouris, one of Crete's most celebrated folk musicians, has been vandalized and beheaded by unknown individuals. Xylouris, born in 1936 in the mountain village of Anogeia in the Rethymno regional unit, is considered a national icon of Cretan music and culture. He played the lyra and became famous across Greece for his powerful voice and his resistance songs before his death in 1980. The act of vandalism has provoked strong reactions across Greece, with many viewing it as an attack on Cretan cultural heritage. Visitors to Crete who wish to learn more about Xylouris and his legacy can explore Anogeia, a village known for its musical tradition and resistance history, which remains a worthwhile cultural destination in the island's interior.

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