In my role as a walking guide on Kythira, I meet many people who visit Kythira for a special reason. During our guided walk through Potamos yesterday, Pauline Coroneos told me that her late parents were from Kythira. Many decades ago they emigrated from Kythira to Australia. It was the[…]
The first banners advertising the summer festivals, the panigiria, have been spotted again, signalling the start of the Kythirian summer 2017. Kato Livadi is this year’s kick-off: Saturday, July 22nd, from 9pm onwards with live music, dance, food and drinks. Don’t miss it because it’s great fun to dance the[…]
This weekend, the new trail between Avlemonas and Diakofti has been officially opened. The footpath (in Greek ‘monopati) is named ‘Petros Kalligeros Trail’ –after the owner of the grocery shop in Avlemonas who sadly died at a young age. The wonderful route of 6 km goes around the Agios Giorgis[…]
Don’t miss this yearly cultural event in Agia Pelagia on Sunday June 25th. Theme: Dances and songs from the ‘Anatoli’. Location: mole at Agia Pelagia harbour Time: 9 pm
Potamos central square will be the place where local musicians perform free live music events throughout the summer. As in previous years, starting this week until the end of September, a small festival will be held every Friday night. Combine your night out with food, drink and the chance to listen[…]
Summer on Kythira… too hot to walk? Certainly not, but you have to choose the right moment. Therefore, also in June, July and August, Pyrgos House organises three short guided walks. Frank is your guide, groups are small (min 4 – max 10 participants) and a walk lasts no longer[…]
On Sunday, we celebrate the return of the Ionian Islands (Eptanissa), which includes Kythira, to the Greek state. On May 21st 1864, the British, having ruled the Eptanissa from 1809, ceded the islands to the new Greek king, George I. Representatives of the local authorities will attend a special liturgy at[…]
723 species of plants and trees are recorded in the flora of Kythira. The most famous indigenous Kythirian flower of course is the Sempreviva with its beautiful bright yellow colour (Helichrysum orientale (L.) Gaertner). Yesterday, I spoke with two of our walking guests from Switzerland. They are big fans of[…]
An especially important event for Kythera is the so called “Gira” (procession) of the icon of Panagia Myrtidiotissa which starts on the afternoon of Easter Monday. Leaving the church of Estavromenos (Crucified Christ) in Chora, the procession visits almost all the villages of Kythera. This is a very impressive event,[…]
Easter eggs are given as gifts during the Easter celebrations. The oldest tradition is to dye them red as a symbol of fertility and rebirth. This practice is influenced by the early cultures of Egypt, Mesopotamia and Crete. Easter eggs coloured red also symbolize the blood of Christ, shed at the time[…]