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HAVE FUN ...THE LOCAL WAY
EVENTS ~ FESTIVALS
Ithaca is strongly connected with its tradition and religion. There are so many celebrations honoring important national events or religious events. People of Ithaca, for centuries, use to celebrate also all activities related to nature such as vine harvest, shearing of sheep, olive gathering. East feast is a special experience !!
30 JUNE
FRIKES
The summer festivals starts with the famous "Panigiri" in Frikes village. Traditional music, local dances, accompanied with local food and wine bring close the locals with the guests with the binds of Greek tradition.
22 JULY
KIONI
Profet Elias is celebrating this date & Kioni village offer a unique experience of this celebration. After the liturgy in the pictureque chapel, the "panigiri" starts next to the sea with the local restaurants & cafes offering local delicacies and wine, the live band playing traditional music & celebration moves to late night hours!
5 AND 6 AUGUST
STAVROS
The longest summer festival which celebrates the Tranfiguration of the Saviour (religious celebration for Christ). The festival lasts two days taking place in front of the church. Local food & wine is offered & live band offers to all visitors a non stop dancing, singing & intimacy experience.
15 AUGUST
PLATRITHIAS
A very important religious celebration for Orthodox Church is the Dormition of Virgin Mary and Ithaca celebrates with the Platrithias Festival in the spacious squere if the village. Music , dance , local food & wine become for most visitors the last experience of a remarkable summer !
17 JULY
EXOGI
The pictureque village of Exogi celebrates Santa Marina (Agia Marina) with the festival taking place in the small square next to the village church. Celebration lasts till late night most of the times.
LAST SATURDAY OF JULY
PERACHORI
Every last Saturday of July a great Wine Festival takes place in beautiful Perachori village. Local wine is offered freely to all visitors, (only a symbolic charge for participation) and music & dancing lasts till early morning.
15 AUGUST
ANOGI
This is the eve of Virgin Mary Dormition ( one of the most important Orthodox church celebration) & Anogi village celebrates this day in the grounds of the world-famous Byzantine church. The people of this village show their warm hospitality offering the visitors local food & wine, accompanied with traditional music & dancing.
6 SEPTEMBER
ANOGI
Ithaca celebrates the nativity Virgin Mary & Virgin Mary of Kathara is the Patron of Ithaca & for all its people that forced to migrate. Ithacians are strongly bounded with their patron & this celebration has special meaning to them. In the past the beloved festival was placed in the yard of the monastery , nowdays it is placed at the surrounding, under the bell tower. This festival is quite spiritual ..the breath taking view from the monastery creates unique feelings & brings visitors so close to nature & God..