Good Friday procession
Easter is the most important holiday of the Orthodox religion. The Good Friday procession, the symbolic burial of Christ, is one of the most important moments of this. The city of Corfu attracts many devotees and visitors on this day, no wonder, as a total of 33 decorated processions march through the streets of the Old Town. After the celebratory mass, accompanied by a philharmonic orchestra, the symbolic coffin decorated with flowers, the Epitáfios, departs, then bypasses the Liston and arrives back at the starting point. In addition to the philharmonics, choirs, cultural and other associations, members of the Red Cross, the scout association, and members of the local political elite also march. The first procession starts at two o’clock from the church in the New Fortress, while the last one starts at ten o’clock in the evening from the cathedral in the Spilia district.
This year’s Easter was accompanied by gloomy, rainy weather, so it also gave Good Friday a truly mournful atmosphere. Easter in Corfu is famous all over the country, thousands of visitors come every year to take part in the centuries-old traditions, which are a harmonious cross between Byzantine, Venetian and Western traditions.
The Varkarola Festival
The Varkarola Festival of Corfu in Greece, in the Ionian: Varkarola is a famous festival that is held in Corfu every summer. his event celebrates the miracle of Saint Spyridon, as the locals believe that it was the saint who saved the island from a Turkish siege on August 11th, 1716. That is why they celebrate this miracle with a representation of the nautical fight. Varkarola takes place the closest Saturday to August 11th.
Once it was held in the bay of Garitsa, Corfu Town, but now it takes place in the bay of Paleokastritsa, northern Corfu. A series of boats parade along the bay, while bands play traditional music and dancers present local dancing.
At the end of Varkarola, a boat is set on fire and then, fireworks explode in order to commemorate the burning of the Turkish naval during the 17th-century siege. Lots of people attend the festival and enjoy the Corfiot night that is lit by the amazing fireworks.
