As in Corfu Town, so in the villages- the events of the Carnival are the same, plus a few villages have maintained some fascinating and entertaining traditions.
The Holy Marriage
Until 1960, this was called Karnavalitikos marriage and happened in most villages, but it is now preserved only in the villages of Chlomos, Marathia, Kritika, Giannades, and a few others.
It takes place on the Shrovetide Sunday, or Tyrinis. The men of the village dress the groom, shaving him and decorating him with cologne, but also with ashes from the fireplace.
In another area, the bride, who is also a man, preferably with a mustache, will be decorated by the women of the village.
The fact that a bride is a man comes from the patriarchal influences that forbade women from participating in community events.
The ceremony also involved a demon in the form of a satyr who does his best to spoil the wedding.
Corfu Culture and Events
Throughout the ceremony, the villagers tease each other with endless obscenities.
The custom of the Vlachs
In the village of Argirades, Vlachs are the lords of the carnival.
There are only two of them, and they dance one leading the procession and the other at the rear. The dance they do is an ancient Greek ritual dance.
They hold in their hands the blossom of the first Spring flowers, and it seems that their mission is to force all visitors to smell the flowers.
The Dance of the Priests
In the village of Episkepsis, in the square of St. Basil on Shrovetide Sunday, the Dance of the Priests is performed.
The priest of the village starts the dance, and all the men follow each other in turn according to their age and their social position in the local society.
The chorus repeats the verse that the priest says without the accompaniment of music.
When the dance ends, the old women of the village follow on, and accompanied by the music, they dance a local dance called Corfiot.
This custom only happens here, and according to Mr. Klimis (a historian and journalist) is a remnant of an ancient Maenad tribe dating from 500 BC, as he writes in his book: The “History of Corfu”.
Festivals of Folkloric Groups
The different festivals that occur throughout Corfu over the year, but mostly in the summer, are endless.
Every village has at least 3-4 per year, so with more than 200 villages on the island, one can calculate that there are local festivals and celebrations almost daily.
We mention only the most important festivals and other events that attract the most people.
- 40 days after Easter: The feast of the Ascension, at the Analipsis area in Kanoni.
- May 8 and August 15: Festivals on the Assumption in Kassiopi and the Kanoni area.
- 20th of May: Festival at Alikes of Potamos village.
- May 21st: Konstantine and Helen feast in Koulines village.
- May 21st: Achillian race with its finish in the square of Benitses.
- June 9th: Celebrations in Alykes of Potamos, Petalia mountain village, and Potamos.
- June 12th: Celebration in Pelekas.
- June 24th: Day of Saint John, the festival at Mantouki and also in many villages with the lampatines festival, where people jump over fires.
- June 24th: Feast of the Holy Spirit in Kontokali, Argyrades, Stavros village, Kastellani Mesis, and Othoni island.
- June 29th: Peter and Paul feast in Kompitsi, Stroggyli, Vitalades, and Gaios at Paxos.
- July 2nd: Notre Blachernon, a festival in Garitsa.
- July 8th: Feast of Agios Prokopios in the villages of Agios Prokopios and Kavos Lefkimi.
- July 13th: Festival in the Sarocco Square for Saint Spyridon.
- July 20th: Feast of the Prophet Elijah in Magoulades village.
- July 26th: Agia Paraskevi at Porta Remounta festival and a celebration in Benitses.
- July 15-17th: Agia Marina, a large festival in Benitses.
- July 27th: Saint Panteleimon festival at the Psychiatric Hospital.
- August 6th: Feast of the Transfiguration of the Saviour, in the Mouse island, Perivoli village, Strinnyla and Palaiochori, Agioi Deka and Agios Mattheos, and a six-day pilgrimage from August 1 to August 6 at the top of the Pantokrator.
- August 11th: On the first Sunday of November, Palm Sunday, and Holy Saturday, on these dates, 4 processions are accompanied by bands from all over the island.
- August 15th: Festival on the fifteenth of August in the Monastery of Platytera.
- August 16th: Gala weekend in the village of Kato Garouna.
- August 23: Feast of Our Lady Odigitrias in the villages of Gastouri, Pelekas, and Agioi Deka.
- September 8th: Feast at the villages of Afra, Sinarades, Marathia, and San Marcos Potami Lefkimi.
- September 14th: Feast of the Holy Cross at the monastery of St. John and in Sidari.
- September 14th: Feast of sardines in Benitses.
- September 24th: Celebrations at Vatos village.
- September 26th: Saint John the Theologian, a festival in Karousades and Porta Remounta.
- December 6th: Festival in Kampielo and Kanalia area.
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