The Anniversary of the Independence
of the island (liberation from the Turks) is celebrated
on the 11th of November in the capital of Chios with
great festivities, dances, food and alcohol.
On New Year’s Eve, people gather at the central square
of Chios Town and exchange Christmas Ships (miniature
of ships which used to decorate the houses of Greeks
instead of the Christmas tree) and flatter each other.
During summertime, cultural events are organised by
the Cultural Society at the village of Karies. Those events
consist in
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All year long, the Cultural Society of Chios organises
various cultural events at the village of Thimiana, and
propose theatrical and dance performances as well as movie
projections.
On the last Sunday of Halloween, at the village
of Thimiana, the inhabitants celebrate the Feast of Mostra,
which is the carnival of Chios.
The chase of the pirates is revived and the youngsters
dance the local dance called “talimi” and hold swords.
Various religious feasts are celebrated in the island
of Chios. |
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The most
famous of those feasts are the Feast of Agia Paraskevi
celebrated on the 26th of July at the Kalamoti, the feast
of Agia Markella (saint patron of the island) celebrated
on the 22nd of July at Kardamila and at the village of
Volissos where it last three days and gathers pilgrims
from all over Greece.
The feast of the Virgin Mary is celebrated on the 15th
of August at Pyrgi and, during this feast, locals dance
the traditional dance “pirgousikos”.
Easter on Chios is a very spectacular festival. A rocket war takes place and many visitors
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