Miaoulia Festival in Hydra

Miaoulia Festival takes place in Hydra every year and its purpose is to commemorate the Admiral Andreas Miaoulis who was a leading figure in the Greek Revolution and Independence War against the Ottomans during the early 19th century and more specifically in 1821. Andreas Miaoulis (d.1835) had settled on the island of Hydra and with his fellow fighters he had managed to burn the Turkish frigates during one of his expeditions just outside the Hydra Harbor. His leadership in the Boat of Elder was an important victory of the Greeks towards their liberation from the Ottomans.
This year the event will be lasting from the 17th until the 25th of June and on the last day the burning of the Turkish flagship will be traditionally done to commemorate the defeat of the Ottoman fleets. Although the festival used to last one day, it later developed as a long event with various events happening throughout.
The celebration includes various music events, traditional dancing, live performances and a lot of fireworks during the last day of the celebration when the re-enactment of the battle takes place with the burning of an actual ship. During the “Navy Week”, many yachts and boats arrive to the island and anchor on the port and given the fact that Hydra is very famous amongst sailing enthusiasts, you will see a lot of vessels and sailing yachts around the island.
Photo taken from: Hydra Direct