Greece - Korina Miller [5]
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FEBRUARY
CARNIVAL SEASON 3 weeks before Lent
Prior to the fasting of Lent, carnival season has many regional variations, but fancy dress, feasting, traditional dancing and general merrymaking prevail. The Patra carnival (above) is the largest, while the most bizarre is on Skyros.
CLEAN MONDAY (SHROVE MONDAY) Mon before Ash Wed
On the first day of Lent (a day which is referred to as Kathara Deftera), people take to the hills throughout Greece to enjoy picnics together and fly kites.
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MARCH
INDEPENDENCE DAY 25 Mar
The anniversary of the hoisting of the Greek flag by independence supporters at Moni Agias Lavras is celebrated with parades and dancing. This act of revolt marked the start of the War of Independence.
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APRIL
ORTHODOX EASTER 40 days after the start of Lent
The Lenten fast ends on Easter Sunday with the cracking of red-dyed Easter eggs, feasting and dancing. This is the most important festival in the Greek Orthodox religion. The Monastery of St John the Theologian on Patmos, in the Dodecanese, is a great place to witness it.
FEAST OF AGIOS GEORGIOS (ST GEORGE) 23 Apr or 1st Tue following Easter
The feast day of St George, the country’s patron saint and the patron saint of shepherds, is celebrated at several places, but with particular exuberance in Arahova, near Delphi, in central Greece. Expect dancing, feasting and much merriment.
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MAY
MAY DAY 1 May
This occasion is marked by a mass exodus from towns to the country. During picnics, wildflowers are gathered and made into wreaths to decorate houses.
ANASTENARIA 21 May
This fire-walking ritual takes place in the village of Langadas, near Thessaloniki. Villagers clutching icons dance barefoot on burning charcoal.
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JUNE
NAVY WEEK early Jun
Celebrating their long relationship with the sea, fishing villages and ports throughout the country host historical re-enactments and parties.
NAFPLION FESTIVAL mid-Jun
Featuring Greek and international performers, this classical music festival in the Peloponnese uses the Palamidi fortress Click here as one of its concert venues. Check out www.nafplionfestival.gr for details.
FEAST OF St JOHN THE BAPTIST 24 Jun
This widely celebrated holiday sees Greeks make bonfires of the wreaths made on May Day.
ROCKWAVE FESTIVAL end of Jun
With major international artists (such as Moby, The Killers and Mötley Crüe) and massive crowds, this festival Click here is held on a huge parkland at the edge of Athens. www.rockwavefestival.gr for more.
HELLENIC FESTIVAL Jun-Aug
The most prominent Greek summer festival features local and international music, dance and drama staged at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus in Athens and the world famous Theatre of Epidavros, near Nafplio in the Peloponnese.
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JULY
WINE & CULTURE FESTIVAL early Jul-end Aug
Held at Evia’s coastal town of Karystos, this festival Click here includes theatre, traditional dancing, music and visual-art exhibits. It ends with a sampling of every local wine imaginable.
FOLEGANDROS FESTIVAL late Jul
This week-long festival Click here features music and feasting at a range of locations around the island’s beautiful old hora (main town).
SPEED WORLD CUP Jul or Aug
Kitesurfers from around the world hit Karpathos for its excellent surfing conditions and big prize money. Event dates change annually; check www.speedworldcup.com for more details.
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AUGUST
AUGUST MOON FESTIVAL full moon
The full moon is celebrated with musical performances at historical venues such as the Acropolis in Athens and other sites around the country. Check local papers for details.
FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION 15 Aug
Assumption Day is celebrated with family reunions; the whole population is seemingly on the move on either side of the big day.