The head of Greece’s main opposition SYRIZA party, Stefanos Kasselakis, is holding a four-day marital celebration in and around the western Crete port city of Chania (Hania) this week with his spouse, Tyler McBeth, with the highlight being an “exchange of vows” between the two in front of friends, family and guests.
According to press reports, however, the pair will not hold a civil marriage ceremony at any town hall, but simply engage in an exchange of vows.
A relevant law legalizing same-sex marriage in the country was ratified in Greece last February.
Local media and social media have been flooded with images of the two and details of the events, including everything from guest lists to the dinner menus, as public opinion in the country remains captivated by the overnight ascent of an openly gay person at the helm of a Parliament-represented political party, in what otherwise was considered a more socially conservative country compared to western Europe.
The initiative to legalize same-sex marriage in Greece was spear-headed by more conservative New Democracy party and its leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
The law drew international kudos in some quarters for Greece’s perceived progressive pivot in favor of same-sex marriage, but at the same time also generated anger and opposition among some segments of Greek society, including a reiteration of standing opposition by the influential Church of Greece, along with sharp criticism from parties to the right of ND and even dissention from within Mitsotakis’ own ruling party.
The multifaceted knock-on effect throughout Greek society and the political realignment process within New Democracy is still ongoing.
Demonstration in support of the bill promoted by the government for the marriage of same-sex couples and the extension of their parental rights, by members of the LGBTI community, Athens, Greece on February 15, 2024.
The 4-day celebration
Just a month after Kasselakis’ election as the leader of radical left SYRIZA, Kasselakis and McBeth officially married in October 2023 in a low-key ceremony held at the Brooklyn City Hall in New York City. After the legalization of same-sex marriage in the east Mediterranean country, however, the couple decided to reiterate their vows on Crete, where Kasselakis’ paternal line hails from.
Reports in TO VIMA cited exclusive events for 150 guests in Chania, and culminating today, Friday, with the private ceremony at the city’s Botanical Gardens.
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The Chania Botanical Gardens are considered a “must-see” for nature-lovers visiting Crete.
Situated about 20 kilometers southwest of the popular port city, near the village of Fournes, the site spans more than 20 hectares and is characterized by winding paths through Mediterranean nature, beautiful terraces and remarkable cuisine.
The owner of the Botanical Gardens, Petros Marinakis, shared with press that the post-vow-taking reception menu includes lamb and goat, other traditional Cretan cuisine and dishes based on local meats and produce.
Guests will also leave with gifts of local products, such as honey and the now expensive Cretan olive oil, infused with orange, and pottery patterned on the large island’s Minoan civilization past.
The event will be followed by a reception in a private luxury villa called Casa Scordilli.
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Saturday will be marked by a farewell beach party on one of the north coast’s most upscale beach clubs.
