Kasos island is known for its vibrant festivals that embody local tradition and culture. These events serve as the ultimate form of celebration for locals and visitors alike, highlighting the island’s unique music and dance.
Festivals take place throughout the year, with celebrations occurring at weddings, baptisms, and major religious holidays. These events are typically held in church courtyards and draw in all of the island’s inhabitants, as well as visiting travelers. Festivals feature folk music, dance, delicious food (often free of charge), and plenty of wine or raki. The celebrations usually last well into the morning hours.
The traditions observed at Kasos festivals have remained relatively unchanged for centuries. Men cook meat and pilaf in cauldrons and fry potatoes while wearing white aprons. Women are typically prohibited from entering the kitchens, and tradition dictates that they, along with children, eat first, followed by the men. Instrumentalists play traditional melodies with the lyre and laouto, singing mantinades and leading festival-goers in Dodecanese island dances like sousta and zervo.
The largest festival on the island is the “Pera Panagia,” which takes place in the village of Panagia on August 15th and draws more than 2,000 visitors. Preparations for this festival begin several days in advance and involve decorating the church’s bell tower, cleaning potatoes and onions, and setting up large tents made of ship’s canvas. On the day of the festival, the morning Liturgy is held in the church, followed by the procession of the icon of the virgin Mary in the churchyard.
Nearby, the cooks boil pilaf and fry potatoes in large cauldrons set up on the “paranisties” where wood fire burns. Revellers sit on large benches in the hall across from the church, and men of all ages, wearing a special white apron, serve bread, wine, and the main dish of the feast by hand. After the meal, festival-goers gather in the churchyard and celebrate with music, dancing, and love songs, which can last until dawn.
Other important festivals on the island include the festival of Agios Georgios in Hadies on April 23rd, Agia Marina on July 17th, Christ on August 6th, Agios Fanourios on August 27th in the village of Agia Marina, Agios Mama on September 2nd in the homonymous monastery, Panagia Elerou on September 7th, and Agios Spyridonas on December 12th.
In addition to the established festivals, impromptu celebrations can also be found in cafes and taverns on the island. Musicians play traditional tunes on their lyres and lutes and those present burst into swirling dances. These events can last until dawn and provide unsuspecting visitors with a unique and unforgettable Greek island communal festive experience.
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