TRADITIONS
Easter
In Syros, the Catholics, with the permission of the Pope, celebrate Easter together with the Orthodox! On Good Friday, during the procession of the epitaphs, the Orthodox hold poles with togas, and sponges, symbols of the Passion of Christ. The processions end at Miaouli Square, together with the epitaphs of the Catholic parishes. On the night of the Resurrection, the sky lits up with flares, and Catholics go around with the statue of Jesus.
Klidonas
In Chroussa, on June 24, the day of Agios Ioannis Klidonas, the residents gather in the schoolyard and light fires. There, they burn their May 1st floral wreaths.
Syros Carnival
The “Georgios Souris” carnival is to honor the Syrian satirical poet. It is held every year with a parade of floats and the “hunt for the lost Turkish delight”, the ‘loukoumi’. Music, entertainment, and dancing prevail throughout the carnival.
Koulouma
In Galissa village, every Clean Monday, they celebrate the ‘koulouma’ with a fasting feast and traditional dances. There is also a kite-flying competition!
Pig Slaughter
The ritual takes place for years. It is about pig breeding and its slaughter for the Christmas celebration. The pig is curved to waste nothing at all. By making sausages, louse, curd, and jelly, the family secured food for a long time. This winter custom still is held in rural villages, and a feast follows.
Fotarides- Lanterns
Every Fifteenth of August in the village of Kini, the custom of ¨Fotarides¨ is revived. Fire is lit in tin cans and decorates the porches of their houses, the terraces, and the beach.
