Culture & Local Events

Cultural Events

 

11th Panhellenic Meeting of Inflatable Boats

• From June 16th to 22nd 2016 Alonissos will host the 11th Panhellenic Meeting of Sailboats. The event will be held in co-organization of the Macedonian Sailboat Group and the Municipality of Alonissos under the auspices of the Federation of European Sailing Federation (EOFOMF). Hundreds of boats with their crews and their skippers will visit Alonissos and in combination with the presence of sailing boats the Holy Spirit Day will create a magical setting.

2^ο Alonnisos Traditional Dances Festival

• The Alonissos Cultural Society in collaboration with the OPAKΔA of the Municipality of Alonissos invites you to 2^ο Alonnisos Traditional Dances Festival which will be held on 8-11 July 2016. The Alonnisos Traditional Dances Festival is a nationwide gathering of dance groups from every corner of the map with the aim of highlighting traditional culture and folk art in an era when our cultural identity is constantly being challenged.
• The application process for participation in the online event opens today at its electronic address Festival. Photo material from the 1st Alonnisos Traditional Dances Festival you can see here

Stitches

• In mid-July – a reenactment of the alonisi festival in Paliouhiou in Alonia, where the tarhana made from «khondro» (rice) is prepared in a traditional way. A journey into the past with the «vehicle» of taste!

Fisherman's Night

• End of July – a fishing night, where grilled sea bream is served on charcoal and plenty of wine is served free of charge. A taste of… the sea and local hospitality!

Traditional Tirony Pie Night

• Alonnisos has a long tradition of delicious pies. Always freshly made with local ingredients, they are truly a gastronomic treasure. The island’s ladies prepare fresh dough and fry the famous Alonnisos cheese pie for all the guests. Enjoy the sounds of live music and traditional dances from the Alonnisos Cultural Society.

 

 

Festivals

May 21 – celebration of St. Constantine and Helen. In the picturesque chapel of St. Constantine on the «Old Hill», after the end of the Divine Liturgy, a goat with pasta and hot rice soup (made from fresh goat’s milk) is offered.

July 25 – celebration of Saint Paraskevi. A solemn procession of the image of Saint Paraskevi of the island, in the evening, through the streets of Patitiri, in the presence of the locals and visitors.

August 15 – traditional wedding. Alonissos «marries» nature’s gifts with human emotions in a unique way. Traditional weddings resemble a ritual and are a representative example of Greek tradition. The story begins when the best man visits the groom’s house with the musicians. Many sweets, plenty of wine, tsipouro and other rich treats are their reward. Then they all go together to the bride’s house. But nothing is considered a given according to tradition… The door remains closed and opens only when the groom promises a gift to the mother-in-law! Then they all go together to the church. The bride wears a traditional dress called «morka». After the ceremony, the guests enjoy red-colored goat meat with pasta and the feast lasts well into the morning.

Celebration of Saint George - On the feast of Saint George, the residents of Alonnisos go to the chapel where they attend the Divine Liturgy and celebrate the day by cooking meat and drinking wine.

Theater

With the reconstitution of the Alonissos Cultural Society in early 2012, the Association’s Theatre Workshop also began its operations and preparations are already underway for the first theatrical performance. Our Theatre Group consists of residents of the island of all ages. However, age difference is not a barrier to creativity, expression and the production of art and culture. Motivated by this, we are attempting to present a rather challenging performance in 2013, «Panigyri» by Dimitris Kehadias.

The Greek Island Thespians (GITs) is an amateur theatrical group that was created in early 2010. The theatrical group aims to perform 3 plays a year – a traditional British pantomime in the closed amphitheater of the municipality of Alonissos during the week after Orthodox Easter, a police thriller in a tavern in mid-November/December, and a poetry evening/small theatrical works at the Mauriki Museum in the spring. The members continue to grow, as does the audience. In addition to the performances, reciting poems, theatrical works, and other social events are an integral part of the group’s program. For further information, you can visit the website www.gitsdrama.org.uk

Music

Alonissos and music harmonize in rhythms of relaxation and fun. Live concerts and beach parties add flavor to the visitor’s vacation. Lounge sounds by the sea, rock nights and piano melodies under the moonlight provide unique moments. Friends of Alonissos have the pleasure of enjoying their favorite kind of music in picturesque bars in Old Alonissos or Patitiri and continuing the evening in organized clubs. 

Art Tourism

The beautiful landscape of Alonnisos is a source of inspiration for artists: writers, photographers, musicians, etc.