A Panigiri is a centuries-old traditional and cultural festival organised during the summer months mainly in the villages of Greek islands and mainlands where the patron saint is celebrated.
The Feast begins at the local church in the morning and is followed later by good music, food, local wine and lots of dancing, which are the key elements that make a Panigiri what it is.
After the ceremony people sit together, on communal tables, eating local delicacies including olives, cheese, meats, seafood, Greek salad and other dishes that are famous in that region. Locals and their guests dance and sing traditional music, while the band plays till early hours in the morning.
The festival is an occasion to bring young and old people together, to meet locals, to talk, to drink, to eat, to dance and to feast.
During the summer months, all over Greece, from the tiniest of churches in the most remote villages to the largest monasteries on the most popular islands, Greeks keep this century-old tradition alive and it peaks on Dekapendavgousto when everyone celebrates Panagia, Mother of All.
A Panigiri is a unique and fun-filled experience that should not be missed on August 15, as it’s a blending of a religious ceremony and social festival you will cherish forever.
Wherever you are in Greece tomorrow, enjoy your day and Kalo Dekapendavgousto!