CAPTAIN CORELLI’S PARADISE LOST

Beautiful beaches, delightful ports, a national park and locals always game for a laugh

In the Ionian Sea, between other exotic islands, stands grand Kefalonia. Much photographed, much talked about, much loved, by Greeks and foreigners alike. Not just because of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, the 2001 film that attracted so much attention, but also because of its sheer beauty, its stately towns and many other impressive attractions.
Argostoli, Lixouri, Fiskardo, Assos, Lake Melissani… here the names alone are something to conjure with! This, the largest of the Ionian islands, with its sparkling azure waters, dazzling beaches and deep emerald green mountains, has been a popular holiday spot for decades. The inhabitants of Kefalonia have a reputation for being the wittiest Greeks – always ready with a joke, a smile and a helping hand. Their laid-back attitude toward life is infectious and within hours of your arrival, you’ll feel as carefree as they do.

ORTHODOX EASTER IN KEFALONIA

Easter in Kefalonia, as in all Greece, is a deeply spiritual event more important than Christmas.
The celebrations of Easter are characterized by lunches with whole lambs on the spit, by folk dances and by the nice tradition to paint eggs red, which are then broken with friends.
There is a legend that gives an explanation about the red eggs.
Mary Magdalene after she went to Jesus’ tomb and found it empty, she ran to the house where the disciples were. She announced the great news and a disbelieving Peter looked at her and said, “I will believe you only if the eggs you have in the basket will become red” and immediately the eggs were painted red.
For somebody the red color symbolizes the blood of Christ, for others it’s the expression of joy for the Resurrection and at the same time it is a way to keep away the evil.
On Good Friday there is the procession of the Epitafios and on Easter Monday, in Vlachata, there is the procession of the icon of Sissia Monastery.

CULTURAL ACTIVITIES & PUBLIC FEASTS

During the summer, many cultural activities and public feasts take pIace in the different villages of the island.

In Argostoli, you can attend performances of the Cephalonian Amateur Theatre, which are quite remarkable. Also significant is the Music Choral FestivaI taking place at the end of August. Choirs from all parts of Greece and Europe present a unique spectacle.

An important part is also pIayed by our public feasts which will entertain you with our Cephalonian cheerfulness and our Iocal dances. First, we begin with Saint Elias public feast on July 20 in Razata. Then, follows the public feasts’ of Saint Ann in Lakythra on July 25, of Saint Paraskevi on July 26 in Xerizomeno, and of Saint Pandeleimon on July 27 in Kondogourata.

On August 11, we have the public feast of Saint Spyridon in a eave-like little church in Kourouklata. Then follows the great public feast of Our Lady on August 15 with the straηge littIe snakes in MarkopouIo, and of Saint Gerasimos on August 16.

On August 19 and 20, you can have fun and get drunk on the excellent wine «RomboIa», at the Wine Festival which takes place in Frangata. Then we finish with the public feast of Our Lady of Lamia on September 8 in Dilinata. On the same day is the public feast of Our Lady of PIatytera in the colourful Monastery of Paliohersos in Erisos.

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS

In addition to the dates listed below indicating the major festivals, during the summer months, on Kefalonia island artistic, cultural and sporting activities are organized.

1 May
In Kefalonia, as well as in all Greece, May 1 is celebrated as a national holiday for workers and the beginning of the Spring.
21 May
On May 20, we celebrate the annexation of the Ionian islands and Kefalonia to the Greek state.
24 June
It is celebrated St. John Tzannata.
29 June
In Pesada there is the celebration of the Saints Peter and Paul and the 12 Apostles.
11 July
There is the celebration of the Saint Efimia in the village of the same name (Aghia Efimia).
15 July
The 15 July begins the FESTIVAL of ARGOSTOLI which lasts about 15 days.
17 July
The feast of Aghia Marina is celebrated in the village of Vlachata.
20 July
Pilgrimage on the mountains dedicated to St. Elias.
26 July
The feast of Saint Paraskevi is celebrated in the villages of Trogiannata, Atheras, Metaxata Mesovounia and Lepeda
1-31 August
In Argostoli the National Festival of choral singing is celebrated.
6 August
There is the feast of the Saviour in Agia Efimia
15 August
In the Monastery of the East in Aghia Efimia is celebrated a great popular festival.
16 August
In Argostoli and in the tourist center of Skala is performed the procession in memory of the patron saint of Kefalonia island: Agios Gerasimos.
There is also a festival in the monastery of Panagia Agrilia.
23 August
There is the celebration of the Virgin Mary in Kechrionas and in Agrilia
29 August
In Ratzakli there is the festival of Aghios Ioannis.
1-10 September
In Lixouri there is the festival of choral singing.
8 September
In the charming village of Fiskardo is celebrated the feast of Our Lady with traditional musical instruments.
14 September
In Estavromenos Monastery of Pesada and in the monastery of Kipouria is celebrated the Resurrection of the Holy Cross.
24 September
Feast of Theotokos Drepaniotissa in Argostoli
20 October
In Argostoli there is the procession of Agios Gerasimos.
26 October
Celebration of St Dimitrios in Lixouri.
28 October
For the Anniversary of the National World War II there are parades in Argostoli and Lixouri.