Corfu Culture

Corfiot Carnival

The Carnival in Corfu derived from ancient Greece by the Dionysian ceremonies and combines the Venetian influence. Years ago, the Corfiots of the villages were celebrating the Carnival with old Corfiot customs, such as the “Dance of the Priests” (Episkepsi, Nymphes, etc), the performance of a wedding and a funeral (Evropouli, Skripero, etc) with Donysiac and Christian religious elements. Unfortunately, these customs are eclipsed. The carnival starts on Saturday (the day before the second Sunday of “Tyrofagos”) with the procession of the children masquerades. The first Sunday in the morning, the groups of masquerades are having a musical and artistic promenade in Corfu Town. Early in the afternoon, the big procession of the king Carnival starts from Methodiou str. (San Roco Square) ending in Liston (Upper Square), where the groups of masquerades present a fiesta with Candilles, Tarantelles, etc. The Pancake Day for Greeks is called “Tsiknopempti”. It is Thursday, and all the Corfiots are celebrating in tavernas, with all kinds of grilled meat, “mezedes” and a lot of wine or beer.

Corfiot Carnival | Accommodation Kalami Corfu

The “Petegoletsia”

The same day, during the afternoon, the “Petegoletsia” takes place in Pinia in Corfu Town . Petegoletsia (gossips) are theatrical and satirical acts, where Corfiot women with the traditional costumes are gossiping in the accent and the dialect of Corfu by the windows or balconies and singing traditional Corfiot songs called “cantades”. These theatrical acts have their artistic roots from the Italian tradition. In traditional Italy , as well as Old Corfu Town , the houses’ architecture was based in very tall and narrow buildings among the very small roads called “cadounia”. The purpose was the protection of the local people in order to avoid the invasions of the pirates. They were able to be lost easily and disappear amongst these small roads.

The Last Sunday

On Saturday, before the last Sunday of Carnival, the people watch an evening procession of masquerades with historical costumes and Italian dances as Tarantelles of Castrovillari by the sound of trumpeters and drummers of Caronigno. The last Sunday, the groups of the masquerades with the Italian groups start in the morning having a promenade along the Historical Centre. In the evening the people watch the big procession of the king Carnival, ending in Liston, where he is having his will and burned after a trial in order to send away the evil. Fireworks follow the fiesta.

Corfiot Carnival | Accommodation Kalami Corfu

The Clean Monday

The Clean Monday, the Orthodox people begin the period of Lent. All the Corfiots have picnics in the countryside of Corfu, with Lenten foods, such as taramosalata, octopus, calamari, flatbread and a lot of wine. The children enjoy the kite flying, which you can see all across the sky of Corfu.

Corfiot Easter

If you visit Corfu in Easter, it is fabulous to enjoy the unique festivities with your families or friends. Easter is a very important time here in Corfu. Good Friday morning begins with the Deposition from the cross. This is where the Corfiots pay their respects to the beautifully decorated Epitaph. From early afternoon through to the evening, the funeral processions in each village commence. Volunteers of the church carry the giant candles, lanterns, a four-sided banner and a small coffin, which carries a small part of the remains of Christ.

Corfu Easter | Accommodation Kalami Corfu
Corfu Easter | Accommodation Kalami Corfu

Easter Saturday

On Easter Saturday morning, the best place to be is Corfu Town . The first remembrance of the Resurrection happens at 11:00 am and also the procession of the Holy Relic of Saint Spyridon. In the middle of the 16th century, Europe had a terrible dry spell, which caused disaster to farming and the lack of the corn. There were not stock houses of corn in Corfu and the people started to starve. On the Holy Saturday of 1553, a ship with corn was passing through the Corfiot sea to another destination. The captain had a vision of Saint Spyridon, who urged him to unload the corn in the port of Corfu.

First Resurrection

At 11am is the first resurrection, this is displayed by the Corfiots throwing pots from their balconies and also symbolises a fresh start to the year. In the evening, we all attend our local church for mass. This is a truly magical feeling. We are all congregated in the church courtyard holding the large white candles. At the stroke of midnight, there is an amazing fireworks display, which celebrates that Christ has risen.

Mageiritsa | Accommodation Kalami Corfu

Traditional Meal

After church and the festivities, we make our way home with the burning candles. Above the front door of our homes we make the sign of the cross with the candles, this ensures we have a year of good health and luck and to also make sure that evil spirits are kept away. We all then, enjoy a traditional meal, which is a stew called Mayeritsa, which is made from sheep intestine and other organs, I must say it is an acquired taste!!

Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday is a time for families to relax and enjoy time together. Usually, the weather is beautiful and the family gathering takes place in the courtyard of each home. Everyone is there from the oldest member of the family to the youngest and also friends of the family. The lamb is cooking on the spit, everyone is catching up on the gossip and news, snacking on meze and enjoying a glass of wine or two. The lamb is then served, accompanied by numerous other dishes, it certainly gets your taste buds going and definitely fills you up to the point where you feel your stomach will burst!!!

Corfu Town | Accommodation Kalami Corfu

Lampata

June 23rd is the Festival of Mid-Summers Eve and the eve of Saint John’s Feast Day. In most of the villages around Corfu , the locals light 3 fires in the centre of the village. Fire is supposed to be a purifying and beneficial element. Before the locals jump through the fires, they wear a headdress made from olive branches. Once the locals are ready, they then jump through the fire 3 times. As they complete this ritual, they ask for “The blessing of God” from Saint John.

Corfu Culture | Accommodation Kalami Corfu

After Jumping Ceremony

After the fire jumping ceremony, the wreaths that were picked and made on May Day, are then thrown into the fire and burned. This is supposed to drive away witches. This is very similar to that of a pagan ceremony which is now associated with the birth of Saint John on Mid-summers Day. Whilst the wreaths are being burned, musicians play old Greek songs on their traditional instruments, and the local people sing and dance around the fire. It is a fabulous evening, where all the locals and tourists enjoying an evening together, dancing, drinking and eating traditional Greek food.

Festival of Traditional Village Pie

This may sound like an obscure festival to have, but it has been a tradition in the Village of Gimari for many years. I never knew there were so many things you could put into pies. The local women in the village make the traditional savoury cheese pie, spinach pie, potato pie, pepper pie, meat pie, mixed vegetable pie, chicken pie and salted codfish pie with a fantastic taste. Your taste buds are definitely stretched to the limit, with all the different flavours. There is also a barbeque, with plenty of souvlaki and lamb to eat and plenty of drinks on offer to wash it all down.

Corfu Culture | Accommodation Kalami Corfu
Corfu Culture | Accommodation Kalami Corfu

Entertainment

Whilst we were enjoying the food, we were entertained by a Greek band playing, traditional Greek music. To help work off the good food we had just eaten, we joined the locals and were trying to dance to the Greek music in the traditional Greek way, we got a few strange looks but mainly the locals were impressed we joined in. The locals also held a lottery where you could win prizes, which were kindly donated by the local village people. What a fabulous evening, there were a lot of the guests who were staying in Kalami and the nearby villages participating in the festival. It was so nice to watch the locals and the tourists mixing with each other and it definitely proves that the Greeks are the most welcoming and friendly people you will find in the world.

Varkarola

Every year, the local businesses of Kalami, San Stefanos and many other beachside villages organize the Varcarola festival. The Varkarola is a traditional music festival on the sea. The festival begins with a choir and musicians promenading along the boardwalk on the beach, singing and playing traditional romantic serenades and fisherman songs called “cantades”.
The choir then boards a small illuminated fishing boat and sails along Kalami seafront serenading the people in the tavernas. Then, a large fishing boat followed by smaller boats, sails along the shore with the choir on board the larger boat. Fireworks are released off the boats creating an amazing show.

Corfu Culture | Accommodation Kalami Corfu

1st Festival of Philarmonic Orchestras

Sunday 3rd July 2005 saw the festival of the Philharmonic Orchestra. All the Philharmonic Orchestra’s from around Corfu, Athens, Thessalonika, Lefkas, Lamia, Russia, Austria and the Naval Forces took part in this festival. All the different Orchestra’s parade past the Palace of Saint Michael and Saint George heading towards their final destination, the cricket pitch. This is a fantastic setting for the festival, as the cricket pitch is nestled between the Old Fortress and the Liston. The Philharmonic Orchestra’s continue to parade around the cricket pitch so everyone can see their costumes that are traditional to the countries they have come from. As the sun sets, they finally come to a standstill in their groups on the cricket pitch and play the most enchanting music.

After Orchestra’s Performed

After all the Orchestra’s have performed, speeches are made. During the speeches you are told about the history of the different Philharmonic Orchestra’s and their cultures. The evening has a fantastic finale, a fireworks display. All the different colours light up the sky above the Old Fortress it is an amazing sight to see and an excellent finish to the day. Every year the Philharmonic Orchestras of Corfu participate in the festivities of the orthodox religion and the cultural events.

Corfu Culture | Accommodation Kalami Corfu

Corfu Philharmonic Orchestras & Calendar

Corfu Philharmonic Orchestras

The Philharmonic Society was established during the years of the British protectorate. The British did not allow the military bands to go to the processions or hold any religious ceremonies regarding different religions. The philharmonic band of Corfu was established in 1836, but the officially birthday year was 1840.
The Philharmonic Society of Corfu used the colors of the Ionian Flag for the society’ s flag and the uniform of the members and still does today. The Philharmonic Band educated the residents in music for 1 and a half-century, showing the way for the other new Bands:

  • Old Philharmonic Society of Corfu (1840)
  • New Band or The Manzaros Philharmonic Society (1890)
  • The “Omonia” Philharmonic Society of Gastouri (1898)
  • The Philharmonic Society of Skripero (1909)
  • The Musical and Artistic Association of Lefkimmi (1910)
  • The Philharmonic Society of Lefkimmi (1953)
  • The “Spyros Samaras” Philharmonic Society of Ano Korakiana (1958)
  • The Sinarades Philharmonic Orchestra (1962)
  • The “Gerasimos Markoras” Philharmonic Society of Kato Korakiana (1962)
  • The Kinopiastes Philharmonic Society (1966)
  • The “Kapodistrias” Philharmonic Association (1980)
  • The “Agios Nikolaos” Philharmonic Association of Lacones (1990)
  • The Municipal Philharmonic Orchestra of Thinalion (1993)
  • The Philharmonic Orchestra of Corfu (1994)
  • The Philharmonic Orchestra of Kontokali
  • The Philharmonic Orchestra of Liapades
  • The Philharmonic Orchestra of Achilleion
  • The Philharmonic Orchestra of Avliotes
  • The Philharmonic Orchestra of Karousades
  • The Philharmonic Orchestra of Episkepsi

Corfu Callendar

January 1st: New Year’s Day

 

January 6th: Epiphany

 

February 11th: Vlassios, the holy martyr and Theodora Augusta

The decapitated Holy relic of Saint Theodora is kept in a casket at the Metropolitan church in Corfu Town . The procession of the Holy relic of Saint Theodora happens the first Sunday of the Lent of the Orthodox religion every year. Saint Theodora was empress and wife of the emperor of the Byzantine, Theofilos. She lived during the difficult years of iconoclasm. Her husband, Theofilos, was one of the vicious iconoclasts and opposed to Saint Theodora’s faith regarding the icons of the Orthodox Church.

The same day, the church gives to the religious people a little piece of watermelon in remembrance of a miracle of Saint Vlassios, who cured the children of Corfu by a disease.

 

February – March (date varies): Carnival

 

March – April (date varies): Clean Monday

The next day after the last Sunday of Carnival is the beginning of the Lent. All the Corfiots have picnics in the countryside of Corfu , with Lenten foods such as taramosalata, octopus, calamari, flatbread (bannock) and a lot of wine. There is also the kite flying, which you can see all over the sky of Corfu .

 

March 25th: Greek Independence Day of 1821

 

Easter (date varies): Easter in Corfu is one of the most fascinating in the whole of Greece.

 

May 1st: Mayday

 

May 21st: Anniversary of the Union of the Ionian Islands with Greece

Saint Constantine and Helen celebration day

 

Summer period: Sound and Light Performances

Events with sounds and lights in Corfu Town during the summer.

 

August (date varies): Varcarola

 

August 11th: Celebration of the saving intervetion of Saint Spyridon during the Turkish invasion. In 1716, when the Turks tried to besiege Corfu, a terrible storm broke out and the Turks pulled out of the island.

 

August 15th: Assumption of the Virgin Mary

Festivals in many villages such as Kassiopi, Doukades, Episkepsi, Nymphes, Spartilas etc.

 

October 28th: Defiance of the Italian Invasion of 1940 – Ochi Day

 

September

Cultural events: concerts by Philharmonic Orchestras, choirs, and artistic, theatrical and dancing performances.

 

1st Sunday of November: Celebration of the miracle of Saint Spyridon, who saved the people of Corfu by a deadly disease.

 

December 12th: Saint Spyridon Celebration day

Saint Spyridon was born in Tremithous of Cyprus in 270 AC. He was a shepherd. He married and had a daughter by the name Irini. After his wife died, he became a monk. He was persecuted and He worked as a convicted in mines. Afterwards He was appointed as Bishop of Tremithous of Cyprus. He participated in the Ecumenical Synod in 325 in Nice of Vithinia, where the heretical Arios was convicted. He died on the 12 th of December 350 AC. In 648 AC, the Holy relic was transferred to Constantinople in the church of Saints Apostles. In 1453, after the fall of Constantinople, the priest Georgios Kalohairetis transferred the Holy relics of Saint Spyridon and Saint Theodora to Paramythia and then to Corfu.

 

December 25th: Christmas

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