Local
festivities and fetes
Quite
often, especially in the summer months, the island comes to life with a
fair which, in addition to the standard singing and dancing which often
goes on for three days and nights, also includes horse and other races
as well as processions or cultural events. Among the festivities that attract
the largest number of people are the fete of Taxiarchis at Mantamados on
the Sunday of Myrrh Bearing and the fete of the Bull at Ag. Paraskevi on
the 1st of June. Characteristic of both are the slaughtering of a bull,
a remnant of pre-Christian animal sacrifices, and the horse races. Throughout
the night, under the sound of songs keskeki (a meat stew with wheat and
plenty of cumin) is cooked in large cauldrons over open-air fires and on
the following morning it is given out to the pilgrims.
 A
unique day for the island is the 15th of August, the day of the Assumption,
which is especially celebrated at Petra and Ayiassos. People of all ages
from the whole island head uphill, often on foot, to the village, and many
of them spend the night out in the open in the church’s courtyard or in
the surrounding areas. Junketing is also at its best during carnival, especially
at Mesotopos, with the koudounatoi, (men loaded with cowbells) and at Ayiassos
where satirical teasing still continues an ancient custom. In the summer
there are festivities in several parts of the island. The Feast of the
Sardine at Kalloni, of Ouzo at Mytilini and Plomari, of Trata at Petra
and Skala Polychnito. Concerts, plays, art and photo exhibitions, lectures,
horse races and fairs, local singing and dancing will give the visitor
a look into the island’s junketing.
Local
music and dances
Lesvian
music, songs and dance were influenced by the Greek inhabitants of the
Asia Minor. Folk music groups accompanied by dancers dressed in traditional
costumes - even today - give a unique tint of joy and authenticity to all
Lesvian celebrations: at festivities and local fetes, at weddings, and
national holidays. It’s worth-noticing that even today the traditional
musical instrument “santouri” (a type of dulcimer), present in every local
musical composition, is still made in Lesvos. Typical traditional dances
are the “Lesvian”, the “Mytilenean” and the ”Ballos“ and they all display
the spirited makeup of the Lesvian soul and its love for free expression
The
Local Costume
 The
visitor of Lesvos can see typical samples of the local costume at many
Folk Art Collections on the island. A characteristic element of the Lesvian
costume - both male and female - is the “vraka” (large breeches). The male
costume is completed by a white or black shirt, a black vest, black cap
- “katsoula”- and black shoes. The female one, in which the colourful “vraka”
could be replaced by a long silk skirt, is completed by a shirt and vest,
while on the head the colorful “tsemberi” (Kerchief) is worn. In festive
days dresses embroidered in golden thread or hand woven silks were used.
Heavy fur coats (“patatoukes”) and woolen jackets were typically worn in
winter.
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