Celebrations in Paros

For more than 1500 years the 15th of August has been the most special day of the summer on Paros. It is observed as a National Holiday and celebrates the Assumption of the Virgin Mary for whom the ancient and very beautiful Panaghia Ekatontapyliani church is named.

No expense is spared by the Municipality as suddenly the sky erupts unto a spectacular fireworks display high above little fishing boats ablaze with red smokey signal flares and the sound of the ferryboats saluting the occasion with long blasts on their horns and the celebration from the crowd. Colorfully dressed in their traditional costumes the Municipal Dancing Group whirls to the music which is the lifeblood of Greece.

Celebrations continue into the early morning hours not only in bars, clubs and taverns but also sometimes more quietly under the ever-present brilliant canopy of stars.

Parikia

The Feast of Panagia Ekatontapiliani (Our Lady of the Thousands Gates) is celebrated on the 15th of August; the festivities start with a litany of the icon of the Virgin Mary and continue until dawn with local dances, traditional music, local food, wine and great fun.

Naoussa

The feast of the Nine Days of the Virgin Mary (Enea meres tis Panagias) takes place on the 23rdof August, nine days after the Assumption of the Virgin and a big feast representing the assault of the pirates in thevillage of Paros Greece is organized: young boys dressed in traditional pirate’s costumes jump from the caiques (fishing boats) and run in the crowd to snatch the girls and take them away.

Fireworks, traditional music, dances, local food and wine are composing this great feast.

RELATED LINK > http://www.ekatontapyliani.org/

Advertisement