Your Subtitle text
Corfu
HEADS UP IN CORFU!
Clay pots falling from the sky! The smell of lamb roasting on outdoor BBQ spits! Streets filled with choirs, bands and religious processions! These are the sounds and sights of Orthodox Easter on the Greek island of Corfu. Every April, hundreds of Corfiots return to their homeland for this, the biggest celebration of the year.
During Holy Week, Ecclesiastical hymns from the churches can be heard all over the town. Good Friday is a sombre affair with philharmonic choirs and orchestras from every village passing through the crowded streets of Kirkyra (Corfu Town).
Purple banners signifying sorrow are draped from balconies and the lamps hanging in the portico of Liston, a popular outdoor terrace are dimmed with a purple glow. Priests in colourful, regal vestments from every diocese on the island lead the procession of St. Spiridon, the patron saint of Corfu. Young children join in by strewing flowers in the path of the mourners carrying Epitaphs symbolizing the tomb of Christ. Prayers are said and bells ring sadly all day long.
On Friday night there is a candlelight procession again accompanied by several choirs and bands. Corfu Island resonates with music. Each night people gather with friends and family after 10 pm in cafes and restaurants for dinner and dancing to bouzouki music. Greeks and tourists who join in, love to sing and dance until the small hours of the morning.
Saturday is not to be missed, as this event happens nowhere else in
Greece. Everyone gathers in the main plaza near Liston to witness the
throwing of the pots, an old tradition dating back to the Venetians in
the 16th century who used to throw all their old and useless objects
and pots out of their windows. The noise of breaking clay means that
the message of the Resurrection of Christ must be heard loudly and that
Death has been beaten. Red banners marking the Resurrection have now
replaced purple ones. People beware as the bell tolls at noon and
dozens of pots of all sizes begin to fall! Some are as large as a
small child! It’s a weird and wonderful spectacle and just a bit crazy
as thousands cheer when each water-filled pot crashes to the ground
below…woe to the cleanup crews who must come later! Immediately after,
the crowd surges en masse to the parade route to hear the triumphant
music of praise.
At midnight, all people congregate in Spianada Square, where a Greek Orthodox Service is held to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ. When the bells strike midnight, light believed to be from the Cave of Birth in Bethlehem is given to all people who hold white candles symbolizing the joyful occasion of the risen Christ. This day ends with a wondrous display of fireworks over the water.
Those who manage to wake early on Sunday go to Mass. The men in each
family have risen at dawn to prepare the coals and begin roasting the
lambs. Everyone participates during the day in turning the spit and of
course sampling the meat to test its’ readiness. Huge tables are set
up outdoors, laden with traditional foods, like chilihourda (the local
Easter soup), fogatsa (Easter bread), columbines, red eggs, tzatziki,
wine and ouzo. There is guitar playing, singing, drinking and eating
all afternoon until, one by one, the guests, full and tired wander
home.
It’s a celebration like no other and is definitely worth planning a vacation to Corfu at this exciting time of year!
How to get there...
The beautiful, green island of Corfu lies in the crystal blue waters of the Ionian Sea between Italy and Greece. It can be reached by plane and by ferry from both countries.
2010 - Easter Sunday - April 4th
2011 - Easter Sunday - April 24th
At midnight, all people congregate in Spianada Square, where a Greek Orthodox Service is held to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ. When the bells strike midnight, light believed to be from the Cave of Birth in Bethlehem is given to all people who hold white candles symbolizing the joyful occasion of the risen Christ. This day ends with a wondrous display of fireworks over the water.
It’s a celebration like no other and is definitely worth planning a vacation to Corfu at this exciting time of year!
How to get there...
The beautiful, green island of Corfu lies in the crystal blue waters of the Ionian Sea between Italy and Greece. It can be reached by plane and by ferry from both countries.
2010 - Easter Sunday - April 4th
2011 - Easter Sunday - April 24th
