Colors of Igoumenitsa - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Igoumenitsa is the largest port in the region of Epirus that is famous for its breathtaking views. Tranquil mountain villages, beaches that conquer tourists' hearts at a glance, and incredibly beautiful historic landmarks that date back to antique times – this resort can offer all these and much more to its guests. Local people can be compared with mountains in the region – they are equally proud, and with waters of the Mediterranean Sea – they are equally freedom-loving and unpredictable. It is a well-known fact that it is not possible to predict a sea storm.

That said, sometimes it is possible to predict actions of locals. For example, if a tourist asks for help, locals will always give a hand. No matter what kind of help is needed, locals will always help as that is how they have been taught since childhood. Friendliness and cheerfulness are also typical qualities of local people. Foreigners also say that local people are quite talkative. They can add some details in order to make a story more interesting. Tourists shouldn’t get offended because of that. Emotional reactions and active body language are also not rare. Greeks treat guests with kindness and are widely known as hospitable people.

Religion, namely, Orthodox Christianity, is one more peculiarity of local people and Greeks in general. Christian traditions are so deeply respected in the country that the religion is indicated in the passport. Local people have a dress code for visiting churches. Everyone should have their shoulders covered. Moreover, women need to wear clothes that cover their legs. Family is the main treasure for every local, and they are ready to fight to protect it. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Needless to say, Greek is the official language in the country. If tourists learn several phrases in Greek, they will make locals excited and pleased. Almost everyone speaks English, so there must be no problems understanding each other. Meat, vegetables, seafood, fish, spices, and olive oil are the main ingredients in the local cuisine. Tourists shouldn’t forget to try some local specialties, such as fried fish, octopus, and sea urchin caviar with olive oil and lemon.

As Orthodox Christianity is the primary religion in the country, all religious holidays are widely celebrated. Easter, Christmas, and Assumption of the Mother of Christ are among the most important holidays in Greece. Before the start of the Lent (end of February or beginning of March), there is a colorful festival in the city that is called Apokries. People put on interesting costumes and masks and participate in processions on the main streets of the city. This celebration has an interesting detail – the patriarch usually visits one of the cities that participate in the celebration. The carnival ends right before the Lent, namely, on Clean Monday.

Culture Summer Festival lasts almost the whole summer in Igoumenitsa (namely, starting from June and until the beginning of August). This means that tourists will never feel bored on the beaches of the region. This is the time when numerous venues in the city host fabulous folklore music concerts, dancing performances, theatrical plays, interesting shows, puppet theatre plays, games, contests, and performances of various musicians. Different venues in Igoumenitsa participate in the festival, including clubs, city’s concert halls, beaches, and open-air venues of the resort.

At the end of May, the whole northern Greece hosts a very interesting celebration named Pyrovasia. The Christian celebration lasts three days, during which locals pray and repent sins. After that, they head to the central square where hot coals are placed. Having performed the ritual of fire-walking, they show their feet to others to prove that there are no burns. That happens because Saint Helen and Constantine protect these people. There is a beautiful legend about the origins of this unusual tradition. Local people will gladly tell it in case foreign guests ask politely.

May 1 is the Holiday of Flowers and the International Labor Day in Greece. The whole city is in bloom for this holiday, and girls make and wear flower crowns. Moreover, there is a colorful parade on the main streets of Igoumenitsa. There is one more interesting holiday in summer in the region. It is called Midsummer’s Day and celebrated in the shortest night of the year – on 23th or 24th of June. All flowers collected a month ago are burned in a fire on this day. This ritual is believed to bring good luck. Finally, this is a perfect time to try fortune telling.