FESTIVALS AND EVENTS
1. Town Carnivals
Feb • Nationwide
During the carnival month, every town puts on events lasting about a week, usually culminating in a procession of floats. Most people, especially children, wear fancy dress.
A town carnival parade in Xánthi
2. Cultural Festivals
May–Oct • Regionwide
The islands are known for their festivals of art, literature, history and theatre. These include the Festival of the Aegean, held in Sýros each July, which involves opera and performances of the plays of Shakespeare. In May, Rhodes hosts its Medieval Rose Festival, while in August, Lefkáda hosts its Festival of Art and Literature.
3. Folklore Festivals
May–Oct • Regionwide
It is the tradition for every village in Greece to host a folklore festival (panegýri) at least once a year. People meet up with friends, feast together and dance. Musicians play traditional songs, while dance troupes perform folkloric dances.
Group dancing, an important part of folklore festivals in Greece
4. Food and Wine Festivals
May–Oct • Regionwide
A successful food harvest or wine year is celebrated in style. On Kos there is a Fish Festival and a Honey Festival in August, while Crete has a Chestnut Festival in October.
5. International Festivals
May–Oct • Regionwide
Important events include the Winter Festival in Kos, international music and dance, the Argostóli International Choral Festival in Kefalloniá (August) and the International Music Festival in Santoríni (September).
6. Hippocrátia Festival, Kos
Jun–Oct • Regionwide
A highlight of the annual Hippocrátia Festival is the recital of the Hippocratic Oath. Kos, Hippocrates’ birthplace, celebrates with interesting educational displays, folkloric exhibitions, music and theatrical shows.
7. Ochi Day
28 Oct • Nationwide
This public holiday commemorates the day in 1940 when the Greek Prime Minister, Ioánnis Metaxás, rejected Mussolini’s ultimatum to allow Axis forces to occupy parts of Greece. Metaxás exclaimed “ochi”, meaning “no”, and this one word marked the start of Greece’s involvement in WWII.
8. Religious Festivals
Year-round • Nationwide
After Easter and Christmas, the most celebrated religious day in Greece is the Dormition of the Virgin, or Feast of Assumption, on 15 August. It is believed that on this day the Virgin, Mary the Theotókos, ascended to heaven. Families celebrate the festivals (see Religious Festivals) with prayer, a feast and traditional dancing and music.
A religious festival in full swing
9. Name Days
Year-round • Nationwide
Most children born in Greece are given the name of a saint. On that saint’s feast day everyone with the same name celebrates. For example, 7 January is the name day for Ioánnis (John). In Chaniá on Crete, males with this name will visit the Church of Ágios Ioánnis and then party.
10. Festivals for Patron Saints
Year-round • Nationwide
Ágios Nikodímos Day, celebrated on 14 July in Náxos, and the Litany of Ágios Spyrídon on Holy Saturday in Corfu are just two of the many festivals that commemorate the patron saints. Festivities involve parades, music, dance, fireworks and feasts.
TOP 10 FILMS SHOT IN THE GREEK ISLANDS
1. Mamma Mia, Skiáthos
A 2008 film starring Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan, which was based on the music of Swedish pop group ABBA.
2. Zorba the Greek, Crete
Based on the book by Cretan writer Nikos Kazantzákis, this 1964 film starred Anthony Quinn.
3. Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life, Santoríni
A 2001 production starring Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft, this box-office hit film was shot on Santoríni.
4. For Your Eyes Only, Corfu
The casino scene of this 1981 film starring Roger Moore as 007 was shot in the Achílleion Palace, Corfu.
5. Shirley Valentine, Mýkonos
This 1989 film starred Pauline Collins as a bored housewife on holiday in Greece finding herself.
6. Bourne Identity, Mýkonos
The concluding scenes of this 2002 film starring Matt Damon were shot here.
7. Guns of Navarone, Rhodes
Gregory Peck and David Niven were the big names in this 1961 film about German-occupied Greece.
8. Boy on a Dolphin, Hydra
Starring Italian actress Sophia Loren as sponge-diver Phaedra, this 1957 film was what made Hydra famous.
9. Big Blue, Amorgós
The popular English-language version of the French classic Le Grand Bleu released in 1988 and starred Jean Reno.
10. Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, Kefalloniá
Nicolas Cage and Penelope Cruz were in this 2001 film that was set during the Italian occupation.
Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, 2001
