The customs and festivals of Paros are amazing, the most well-known of them of course are the representations of the life and Passion of Christ.
By region, the most important festivals are:
In Marmaras , in the Church of the Assumption in the heart of the village, on Good Friday you will feel the emotion flooding you.
The engrossing tour of the epitaph through the narrow streets of the village and the reenactments that revive in our memory the passions of Christ, such as the Last Supper, the march to Golgotha, the Crucifixion of Jesus, etc. are performed with great respect for the Scriptures from young men and women of the village.
On September 7, the eve of the feast of Pera Panagia, a festival takes place surrounded by various festive events: music and dance groups participate, while traditional snacks and local wine are offered.
In Prodromos , on Good Friday at noon, after the crucifixion of Jesus, the local club offers everyone the traditional fasting chickpeas with octopus. On the night of Good Friday and during the procession of the Epitaph, children and young people of the village revive the passions of Jesus in unique representations.
On June 24, the day celebrated by the church of the same name, the Klidon custom is revived (burning May wreaths, carrying the pitcher with the silent water, traditional dances, etc.).
On July 27, Agios Panteleimonos, a traditional festival takes place in the village square.
In Aliki , on June 23, the custom of "Klidona" is revived, dance groups dance on the beach, Maides are burned on the sand, octopus and plenty of local suma are offered to visitors. On August 6, the fish festival takes place where local dance groups dance traditional dances and fish and local wine are offered. This is followed by the "Stavros" festival on September 14.
In Naoussa, the inhabitants are lively people who love fun, dancing and singing. Every summer, on the first Sunday of July, they organize wine and fish festivals. Kursariki night, on August 23, is also a big celebration. The people of Naoussa, wanting to exorcise the memories of the pirates who ravaged the island for many years, represent the invasion of the corsairs in the port.
In Lefkes , in summer the local cultural association "Yria" organizes a festival with music, theater performances and traditional dances.
The central festival of Marpissa is the Transfiguration of the Savior on August 6. Various cultural events are organized on the eve and day. However, Easter in Marpissa is famous and truly a unique experience.
EASTER IN MARPISSA
In Marpissa, Easter is unique!.. In the reenactments of the Passions on the evening of Good Friday, along the Epitaph procession route, the visitor experiences unique customs, which date back to 1937. The custom has been preserved by the residents until today .
On the evening of M. Paraskevi, in an atmosphere of Christian immersion, visitors experience the passions of the Lord. Along the circumference of the Epitaph, representations are made of the life and Passion of the Lord. A custom that, according to existing evidence, started before 1937. Young people and children from her village participate in them, dressed in clothes of that time. In an atmosphere of excitement and emotion, the Resurrection of Lazarus, the Entry of Christ into Jerusalem, the Penance of Magdalene, the Last Supper, the Prayer on the Mount of Olives, Pontius Pilate, the Ascent to Golgotha, the gallows of Judas, the Crucifixion, Deposition and Burial of Christ. The events conclude with the Feast of Love, which takes place on Easter day at the Marpissa Stadium. Putting into practice the message of the Lord's Resurrection, which is love for fellow human beings, the whole village celebrates, putting aside the problems of everyday life. There they offer traditional roast lamb, red eggs and plenty of Parian wine. The festive image is completed by the local music and dance groups
Saint George the Drunkard
Saint George the Drunkard (or Sporias or Sporiaris) is honored in many parts of Greece by the farmers, because at this time they prepare the seeds for the next year and also by the winemakers, because then the barrels with the new wines are opened . On November 3 every year, wine producers in Paros and other Cyclades islands organize traditional celebrations and revive customs that have their roots in the Dionysian ceremonies.
Groups go round the houses and "inaugurate" the new wines by tasting them, confirming the epithet of Saint George, Drunkard.

Editor: Fotini Anastasopoulou