In the closing decades of the 20th century, various factors improved the quality of life in Heraklion and had a national and international impact. These include the foundation of the University of Crete and the University of Crete Press; the Cretan Studies Congresses; the reorganization of the Vikelaia Library and its publications, such as the periodical Palimpsiston; the August Music Festival; the two Open Air Theatres and the Theatre Station. Luckily, Heraklion's great tradition is being continued by several leading literary scholars, some mature-aged and others younger, teachers and intellectuals of both sexes. Foreign visitors consider out town's bookshops better than those in Western Europe. The work being done on the walls and in the new pedestrian zones are improving the look of the town. Fortunately the historic Church of St. Peter is also being restored. The restoration work began years ago and should be moving ahead faster; it will regenerate the entire Heraklion seafront, known in the past as the Bendenaki (Low Wall).
