Cycladia | Island Events

The Syriot Carnival is among the most famous carnivals in the Cyclades and it is held during the Carnival Period in February. It involves a big carnival parade, singing and dancing and the traditional “zeimbekia”, where men are dressed in traditional black costumes and dance around the streets of Ano Syros this dance of warriors. The “zeimbekia” revival is truly a unique spectacle, with men pretending to try to dirk each other in order to kidnap the wife of the captain. Carnival events are held not only in Ano Syros, but also in Ermoupoli and Foinikas.

The Guitar Festival of Ermoupoli is held every summer, usually in early July, and attracts guitarists from all over the world. This year (2012) will be the festival’s 19th consecutive year and it will take place on July 2, 2012 – July 6, 2012. The 19th Guitar Festival of Ermoupoli includes solo concerts, guitar teaching, a guitar competition for new musicians and the final concert of the festival’s guitar orchestra. For more information: www.guitarfestival.gr.

This festival is organized annually at the end of the summer (early September)and includes art exhibitions, theater plays, concerts and sailing races. More information is available from the municipality of Syros.

On June 14, the custom of “Kleidonas” takes place in Chroussa with the burning of the wreath of flowers that is handmade every year on May 1st to celebrate spring.

Vikeleia are aquatics that last three days and are organized in honor of Demetrios Vikelas, the man who proposed the revival of the Olympic Games in modern history whose birthplace was Syros. He also was the first ever president of the Olympic Committee.

Avgoustiatika Feggaria (which means “The moons of August”) is a series of nocturnal events organized in Ano Syros. Musicians of the island’s famous traditional music, “rebetiko”, are gathered in Ano Syros and play this unique sort of music in little taverns called “koutoukia” and around the streets of the village.

And last but not least, the museums and galleries of Syros organize various events each year on which visitors may be informed from the Municipality of Syros.

Many religious feasts are organized in different parts of the island in honor of Catholic and Orthodox saints. Feasts include eating, drinking and dancing, and they are far too many to mention. However, the feast of Virgin Mary on August 15 in Vari is combined with a glorious welcome of tourists there. The view of little boats decorated with flowers entering the bay is impressive, while visitors enjoy local dishes and local wine and listen to folk Greek music. Dancing often lasts all night long! Similar events are organized on the same date in Kini, where on August 14 takes place the custom of Fotarides with fires being lit along the beach, drinking, eating and dancing.