Seasonal events that attract foreign visitors to Greece include a full program of music and drama festivals, folklore events, and some international sports contests. The events summarized here are more fully described in the chapters covering the various regions of Greece.
Religious ceremonies play a major role in Greek life and, fittingly, the new year commences on a solemn note: the celebration of the Epiphany and the blessing of the sea at Piraeus, the Athens suburb and the country's most important port. In January the concert and opera season in Athens is in full swing and continues into February, which sees the opening of the carnival period and, dependent on the date fixed for Easter, starts ten Sundays earlier. Patras carnival is held on the two Sundays before Lent, usually early in March. Toward the middle of that month, Thebes stages an amusing parody of a highland (Vlach) wedding. On Palm Sunday in April, Messolonghi commemorates the heroic sortie of its defenders in 1826, during the War of Liberation.
To the Orthodox faith Easter is more important than Christmas and Greek Easter does not coincide with Protestant or Catholic Easter week. It is usually in May. Good Friday is kept as a day of mourning throughout the nation and in Athens the highest church dignitaries and members of the Government participate in the funeral procession. During Saturday midnight service, held in all churches, the light of resurrection is passed by candle from one to the other. General jubilation commences and continues on Easter Sunday. The traditional lamb-roasting takes place outdoors, followed by dancing, quite often in regional costumes. Visitors are welcomed at these festivities and made guests in Greek homes. Do as the Greeks do and try to get into the country where the most typical festivities are held at Arakhova and Livadia, not far from Athens. Monday being a nationwide holiday, you are sure to get your fill of brotherhood and rejoicing. It is also at Arakhova, the mountain town known for its handicrafts and wine, that on St. George's Day takes place the mikro paneghyri, a "small celebration" which lasts all day and where you can witness the costumed dancing contest of old men. On the same day, colorful dancing at Menidi, just outside Athens.
The traditional trata is performed by the fisherfolk on Tuesday after Easter. The same custom survives on the nearby island of Salamis. During the second half of that month Macedonia enters the picture: Edessa holds a two weeks Flower Festival-a delayed action carnival. Langada, near Thessaloniki (Salonica) holds an uncanny feast on May 21, that of an heretical Byzantine sect, the anastenarides. Its outstanding feature is the barefooted dancing on burning embers, holding icons. The same rite is performed at AyiS Eleni near Serrai, some 70 miles from Thessaloniki.
The Sound and Light spectacle at the Acropolis of Athens is presented from May through September in Greek, French, and English nightly except Sunday. The second half of June launches the Epidaurus Festival of ancient drama by the Greek National Theater. It runs over into July. At about the same time that ancient maritime city, Piraeus, holds its Navy Week. August is yet another month of religious festivity. The people of Corfu island make their annual pilgrimage to the islet of Pontikonissi, where a fair is held afterwards. The hundreds of small boats converging upon it offer a sight to remember. Only a few days later and on the same Corfu island, St. Spyridon is honored by a sumptuous procession, followed by festivities. The spotlight moves to the Aegean: there is a nationwide pilgrimage to Tinos (Cyclades) on August 15, to the miraculous icon of the Holy natural . Back at the Ionian islands you can witness picturesque processions and feasts on Zdkynthos (Zante) in commemoration of its patron saint, St. Dionysios, on August 25. There is a Sound and Light spectacle at Rhodes during the summer months. August is highlighted by the international Athens Festival, which lasts well into September. World-renowned conductors and soloists participate in the performances of orchestral and chamber music. Classical Greek tragedies and comedies are given at the ancient Herodes Atticus open-air theater, on the slopes of the Acropolis. Fall sees the opening of the annual International Fair at Thessaloniki, which lasts three weeks. Throughout September and most of October a Wine Festival is held in the park of the famous Byzantine monastery of Daphni, just outside Athens. For a mere 50 cents (3s. 6d.) you can taste dozens of wines from all parts of Greece, served by girls in regional costumes. Cheap meals are served in the outdoor taverns. Despite this munificence, you'll see no drunkenness: the traditional Greek sense of measure and clean good fun prevails.