Colors of Tinos Island - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Tinos differs from other Greek Islands in an unusual atmosphere of spirituality. The status of a sacred island was assigned to it during the reign of the black colonels. The indigenous population is only 8 thousand people. Therefore, many visitors note the amazing peace and quiet, especially in the evening. The island is sparsely populated for most of the year. Usually, tourists come to Tinos for a couple of days and continue to explore other islands of the Cycladic archipelago.

Of course, tourism is the mainstay of the island's economy today. This industry is actively developing. New hotels are opened every year. The service is also improving. But more traditional crafts are also preserved. In addition to processing marble, excellent ceramics are produced in Tinos. Local residents also make baskets. Volax is particularly famous for this craft. The locals also grow grapes and produce very good quality wine. Of course, many residents are engaged in fishing.

Thousands of pilgrims come here several times a year to receive a blessing and touch the miraculous icon. This happens on holidays associated with the Mother of God. The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the most important holiday. It is celebrated on January 30. The celebration begins the evening before when the miraculous icon is moved to the temple during the evening service. Solemn morning service is held the next day. Then the icon is carried around the town of Tinos. A very spectacular procession with lamps is arranged in the evening. Hundreds of people not only in the capital of the island but also in almost every village take part in it. The official reception of the municipality is also organized. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Each village on the island has its own patronal holidays. They are celebrated on the same scale as the virgin ones. The main festive events are dedicated to significant religious dates here. Thus, the Annunciation is celebrated on March 25. Since the holiday coincides with the Independence Day of Greece, the events are extremely large-scaled. The festive morning service turns into secular dance competitions with the performance of national dances. The Tinos embankment becomes the center of the celebration. Music plays and guests are treated to sweets and certainly the national aniseed vodka ouzo here. The celebration continues until late in the evening.

The feast of Saint Pelagia is very important for local residents and for all Orthodox Greeks. It is celebrated on July 23. The Day of the Assumption of Mary is another major holiday for which many Orthodox people from all over the world come here. It is celebrated on August 15. The procession with the miraculous icon of the Mother of God is performed after the morning service. It is accompanied by the orchestra of the Navy. Laying wreaths at the monument to the victims of the wrecks of the cruiser “Elli” and launching wreaths at sea in memory of this event is a mandatory part of the event.

There are customs in the villages. Many of them are of pre-Christian origin and most often depend on Shrovetide week. For example, the holiday is organized on the last Thursday before fasting in the village of Triandaros. A traditional carnival dance is performed during its celebration. Residents perform frivolous ditties in turn. Each of them begins with the next letter of the alphabet.

Carnivals and festive processions are organized in many villages these days. The most interesting of them are held in Falados. A certain theme of the holiday is chosen annually here. Musical performances are organized, national songs and dances are performed, and common tables are set during the celebration. A scarecrow is burned on Forgiveness Sunday in the village of Agapi. It is carried through all the streets before this.

It is believed that miracles are constantly taking place in Tinos. There is a belief that if you crawl on your knees from the port to the Church of the Annunciation, the prayer will be heard. Therefore, many believers go on the Road of Sorrow. This is a special fenced path leading to the doors of the church.

Social events also take place on the island. Several interesting festivals are held here. For example, the Artichoke Festival in the village of Komi is interesting. Tinos is famous for its artichokes. They are considered the best in Greece. Musical performances are organized, a fair is held and, of course, guests are invited to taste a variety of artichoke dishes during the festival. You can visit the Honey Festival in the village of Campos. The Tinos Food Paths festival is also organized on a large scale. Restaurateurs and chefs from all over the island come to these festivals. Everyone can taste the dishes. Poets and writers come to Tinos in July. The annual International Literary Festival is held here at this time. You can get to the jazz music festival "Jazz on Tinos" in August. Performances of jazz groups are organized at the Tinos Cultural Foundation on these days. Not only Greek musicians but also performers from other European countries perform at the festival.