Hi all,

Whilst at Ayios Eufimia, a gentleman called Aristotle, who is a kind of harbour master for the community waterfront, told us that the monastery of Themata would be holding its festival for the local people. We took the opportunity to get off the tourist route to enjoy a local event staring around 9pm and continuing until………????

The monastery is perched on the summit of a high mountain overlooking the small town. Traditionally, the local herdsmen donate a sheep, a goat etc. to be cooked and barbequed as a gesture to feed the village community. All proceeds raised are donated to the Themata monastery.

Adjacent to the monastery is a lovely area canopied by old high trees providing shade by day……but by night on this occasion the trees formed a wonderful ceiling against the clear stars forming a sense of being inside an event hall. The very old stone circle for dancing surrounded by families with tables and chairs, drinks, wine and ouzo and plates of meat cooked by the local people.

Most nationalities enjoy dancing, but the Greeks love their traditional dance. The live band was playing music, not unlike a Turkish sound, lines of people gathered together for each dance forming an ever decreasing circle spiralling.  The lead dancer, usually a man, lead the whole spiral. Good dancers show their skill, kicking legs in the air, slapping knees and dropping in fancy steps and moves between the steps of the following group….. carefully resuming the steps of the following group before adding in another impromptu move which brought shouts of applause from the following people.

The artistry continued until another man swirled in to take the place of the lead and applause followed the exiting person.

I tried my best to follow the fast complicated steps which involve moving forward and backwards, crossing over feet…………I decided to join the end of the children’s group….. safer and less embarrassing !!!

Let the photos speak for themselves…… enjoy the wonderful coloured interior of the monastery…… the candles we lit for loved ones lost…… the priest talking with local people….. and the lovely canopied area in the trees for eating, drinking and dancing…… great atmosphere.

Here are the monastery pics and the dancing pics are on the next blog titled Themata festival dancing pics. Cant up load them all togather.

Love to all

Tina and Tony x x x