Colors of Loutraki - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Loutraki residents are known for their friendly and welcoming attitude to foreign tourists. Travelers began exploring the city quite recently so there are relatively few tourists here even at the height of the season. This feature allowed the townspeople to maintain their traditions and a measured lifestyle, which is characterized by leisureliness and lack of fuss typical of large cities. Many foreign guests may find such behavior of locals rather unusual. Don't be surprised if you are served a little longer than usual in a store or a restaurant. This should not be regarded as a sign of neglect - locals are just used to never being in a hurry.

The manifestation of strong emotions is also untypical, so in public places, one should refrain from excessive gesticulation and heated discussions. The townspeople are also known for their respect for religious traditions. In the city and its environs, there are many ancient churches built in honor of the local patron saints hundreds of years ago. Today, local fishermen, farmers, and merchants have their favorite church. Every year they celebrate beautiful holidays in honor of their patron saints.

On such days, the statues of saints stored in churches are publicly displayed and carried along the main streets. Beautiful festivities are always held in honor of Christmas and Easter. Many interesting traditions are associated with each of these holidays. Before Easter, they always observe strict fasting. A week before the holiday, many completely refuse to eat or drink. But on Easter day, festive tables are striking with a variety of amazing dishes and delicacies. Their important and mandatory component is rich meat dishes. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Hundreds of years ago, it was customary to roast a whole lamb on a spit on Easter, and this tradition has been preserved till our days. The modern holiday is now complemented by lush festivities and a rich cultural program designed for both locals and foreign guests. Colorful fairs, performances by folklore groups, and theatrical performances take place on the streets and squares. During religious holidays, a special entertainment program is always prepared for children.

The best way to experience the traditional culture of Loutraki is to visit the city during the carnival. This carnival held annually in February marks the beginning of Lent before Easter. From early morning, music plays on the streets, carnival guests can watch performances of street artists and acrobats, as well as enjoy the best regional delicacies. The Loutraki Carnival is considered one of the most colorful and eventful, it is visited by people from all over Greece.

On the festive day, it is customary to put on bright carnival costumes and wear masks. Local residents prepare all the costumes for the celebration on their own. It's not recommended to wear expensive clothes on the carnival day, as locals have a tradition of spraying each other with water and sprinkling confetti. The main event of the holiday is a traditional carnival procession in which ordinary townspeople take part. In the evening, everyone moves to the main streets and squares where a series of holiday concerts and performances starts.

In recent years, the Loutraki Carnival has gained a grandiose scale - thousands of foreign visitors attend it every year. Famous musicians and artists take part in the festive concerts, which makes them even more interesting. For the rest of the year, Loutraki is characterized by a very calm and measured rhythm of life. But even in a normal period, travelers always have the opportunity to plunge into the atmosphere of national culture and join the life of townspeople.

Like many years ago, many hereditary fishermen live in the city today. Travelers always have a chance to go fishing with them. In the early morning, you can visit traditional local fish markets. Another way to get acquainted with the local traditions is to visit farms located in the vicinity. On such cattle-breeding farms, you can try wonderful dairy products and the world-famous Greek cheese. Near Loutraki, there are wonderful fruit orchards and several historic wineries, which are also always happy to welcome guests. Despite the influence of modern culture, Loutraki has managed to maintain its original lifestyle and historical traditions.