Greeka.com: Greece Travel, Greek Islands, Hotels

Leros Festivals



Choose a destination in Greece




Leros Festivals, Greece: Information about the Festivals of Leros, Dodecanese

 

 

The island of Leros is characterised by its many types of festivals, which are very important not only for keeping alive the culture of this place, but also because they give visitors the chance to get in touch with local customs and feel part of the island, apart from having a great amusing time.

In addition, it is good to keep the camera at hand, since this is when the locals wear their best traditional costumes and the streets get invaded by the festive atmosphere.

 
Another important date is the last Sunday of Lent, which is a forty-day period that goes from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday. This period always falls between March 22nd and April 25th.

However, this one has been influenced by paganism, since it consists of a big carnival with a liturgical chariot parade, and includes dancing and a wine festival.

The popular village of Pandeli hosts a wine festival, as well as the village of Xirokambos, on the south coast in August.
 
This takes place from August 1st to 15th and consists of soccer and races on rough terrain. A similar type of activities can be performed on the Nautical Games.

This festival is known by the locals as ‘Naftiliakoi’, and is performed in Alinda Bay, at north-west of Platanos, the capital of the island.

In case of getting to Leros on one of the mentioned dates, it is worth taking

 

Some of the festivals are religious at Leros, like the one dedicated to the Virgin Mary, which is observed in most of Greek islands, while others are dedicated to secular activities that may include concerts or sea sports.

Whatever the case, these are always fun occasions, even when it comes to religious subjects. In fact, they are mostly characterised by traditional dances, cuisine, and music made by instruments like lutes, lyres, violins and dulcimers bagpipes.

Regarding the religious ones, Leros counts on a celebration dedicated to Agia Marina that takes place on July 17th, while on August 15th the Virgin Mary of the Castle, the Patron Saint of the island is celebrated,.

 

On the other hand, on September 26th, there is a celebration in the honour of the Queen Olga, who was ship-wrecked by the German forces on 1643. This important ship was the most distinguished and successful one of the Royal Hellenic Navy during the II World War, until its loss and was catalogued by many as ‘the destroyer’.

Its name has been put after Queen Olga of Greece, the wife of King George I, and the festival on its memory includes some music and cultural events. Another important celebration is the ‘Balafedia’, named after the heart surger Boulafedis, which was the first one to perform this type of procedure.
 
advantage of the festivals that this island hosts.

Luckily for visitors, these dates are mostly distributed along the summer months, so it is easy to enjoy at least one of them.

In addition, most of the areas they are performed at, are nice places that worth the visit, so these occasions can be taken as the perfect excuse for knowing them in an amusing environment.
 
.......................................................................................................................................................
Back:
+ Leros Home
+ About Leros
+ Dodecanese Islands
+ Greece Cultural events
+ Greece Home

More:
+ Pictures
+ Beach Pictures
+ Map
+ Hotels Leros
+ car rental
+ Flights to Leros
+ Ferries
Related:
Museums
 
  Greece > Dodecanese > Leros Greece > Leros Festivals top of the page
 
<< back ::     :: sitemap >>
information home contact us
 
  : Creation and Copyright by & Photography by