by Natasa Kremmyda

Do you want to discover the real spirit of a place? Attend a traditional feast! Below you will find the most traditional feasts around Greek islands this August.

Alonissos

Visitors to the Aegean island, on St. Mary’s feast day on August 15, have the opportunity to watch and also participate in the revival of a traditional wedding where guests are invited to portray the role of relatives. The bride appears in a traditional dress (morka) and goes to the church accompanied by the groom, the best man and guests, all the while accompanied by live music, such as the lute, violin and clarinet.

Amorgos

On August 6, enjoy the feast of Sotiras (Christ Savior) on the Cycladic isle of Amorgos. In the central square of the island, known to the locals as the “loza”, enjoy raki, fried fish and all the traditional Greek specialties accompanied with Aegean music. The party usually runs until the early hours of the morning.

Andros

On August 15 (St. Mary’s feast day), there are many traditional feasts on the beautiful Cycladic island of Andros. The most picturesque of all is the one at Panagia Thalassini (Sea Virgin), a church on a rock surrounded by sea.

Astypalaia

The feast taking place in Astypalaia on August 15, is held in honor of Panagia Portaitissa. This church is at the center of the island since 1762, celebrations and events there last three days!

Thassos

There’s a special ritual followed by feasts on the isle of Thassos, a Greek island on the north Aegean sea. After the church service, all the people gather in the courtyard where free plates of meat prepared that morning in large cauldrons are served with pasta. Together, parishioners dine in an atmosphere of joy. The same ritual is repeated on August 6, August 15 and August 29.

Ikaria

Locals sell traditional food and gather the money to buy something to help the island, such as an ambulance, or help a fellow villager! There are feasts around the island on August 15.

Kalymnos

Kalymnos celebrates St. Mary’s feast day on August 14 and 15. There are festivals in honor of the Dormition of St. Mary in many spots on the island. The feasts last the whole night accompanied with traditional food, wine and music!  In the church of Panagia of Tsoukchouon, after the vespers they offer raki and loukoumi, a tradition that last till today.

Milos

Feats in Milos take place on August 14, 15, 22 and 24. People gather at central squares of the island and during the celebration visitors have the opportunity to taste traditional food and local wine.

Mykonos

The most known feast of Mykonos are the ones in honor of Panagia on August 15 and on August 23 on the central square of Ano Mera. In all the feasts of Mykonos visitors listen to traditional music played by locals with traditional local instruments.

Naxos

On August 6, people gather for feasts at the Glinado, Damariona and Koukounochori village. On August 15, there is a feast in almost every village of Naxos. There the visitor can enjoy local artists and bands. Also there are two other feasts taking place in the island, the one on August 17 and the other on August 23 at the villages of Filoti, tripodes and Apeiranthos.

Tinos

Tinos is the island where the most exquisite ceremony in honor of the Dormition of St. Mary takes place. Celebrations start at August 15 and run through to August 23. Characteristic of that place is that each feast has its own traditional dish, and according to tradition, all households are open for both locals and visitors.