Greek Traditions Holidays, Customs & Events in Corfu (Korfu, Kerkyra) Greece

Tradition is a very important element of Corfu Island and means a lot its inhabitants. Naturally, the island has been influenced by the Greek, the Venetian, the French and the British culture making traditions, customs and events in Corfu (Kerkyra, Korfu) Greece quite unique. :: Corfu (Kerkyra) Carnival
During carnival time, Corfu puts on a spectacular celebration that fuses both the Ancient Greek paganistic worship of the Olympian god Dionysus and the Venetian carnival spirit, making it one of the most impressive carnivals in the world. It is a time full of music, celebration, bright costumes and laughter. :: Easter in Corfu (Kerkyra)
Easter in Corfu is a special event, not only because of the religious meaning of Easter, but also due to the fact that it is a time that both the Orthodox and Catholic faith celebrate, especially on the island of Corfu.

Good Friday is the day of the Epitafios (a reenactment of the burial of Christ). In the evening, all churches take their funeral bier through the streets, as people follow with candles in their hands, along with the Philharmonic Orchestra and choirs. Another custom of Corfiot Easter is to throw pots from windows in the morning of Holy Saturday. At night time the Catholic Church first holds its service that finishes in time for the Greek Orthodox service and the Resurrection. In Corfu (Kerkyra) the service is held on Splianada Square. When the bells chime midnight for the Resurrection of Christ, a celebration begins with fireworks, orchestral music and singing. An abundance of wine is consumed and local Easter dishes are served such as red eggs, fogatsa, tsilichourda and columbines. In the morning, the churches take the icon of the Resurrection through the town streets. :: Corfu Litanies
The inhabitants of Corfu Island have great religious faith. Every year the churches hold litanies in honor of the Saints. The most significant is the litany of Saint Spyridon, the patron saint of Corfu (Kerkyra), taking place on Holy Saturday.

Some others are: the Litany on Palm Sunday, the Protokyriako Litany (held on the last Sunday of November), Saint Spyridon's Litany and the Litany of Santa Theodora on Orthodox Sunday. :: Corfu Fairs & Festivals
Throughout the year fairs and festivals are held in almost every settlement and town on Corfu (Kerkyra, Korfu). All fairs and festivals are wonderful celebrations with music, food, traditional costumes and dance. :: Corfu Gastronomy
Corfu cuisine is a mixture of Greek and Western tastes, with elements of Mediterranean cuisine including many herbs and spices.

Some of the most popular local dishes of Corfu are:

• “pastitsada” (beef or cock in red sauce)
• “sofrito” (beef strips with a white garlic and wine sauce)
• “savoro” (fish in a white vinegar, garlic and spices sauce)
• “bourdetto” (fish in a red spicy sauce)
• egg-lemon soup (served on religious holidays)
• stuffed chicken (the New Year's day traditional dish)
• “tsilichourda” (Easter soup with entrails)
• local sausages and salami
• the koum-kouat fruit (made into preserves and beverages)
• “freskamenta” (or a prickly pear)
• “mandoles” (roasted and caramelized almond bars)
• “mandolato” (sweet bars made of sesame, almonds, honey, sugar and rosewater)
• “colombina” (Corfu Christmas cake)
• ginger beer (soda with lemon, ginger and raisin syrup)

:: Corfu Products
Corfu is famous for its lovely ceramics, handicrafts, weavings and woodcarvings as well as its sweets such as mandoles, mandolato and koum-kouat preserves. Some areas of Corfu (Kerkyra, Korfu) also produce delicious honey, wine and ouzo.