I took my partner to his first panygiri last summer. He was astounded. I said “there will be a lot of long tables, white chairs, roasted chestnuts, loukoumades, people of all ages dancing until the sun comes up” and it was exactly that… perched on a mountain between Nafpaktos and Messolonghi …. It was magical
100%. I never feel completely happy unless I am in Greece either. Partly because of how close I was to my grandmother but I felt like that growing up too.
An other masterpiece, genuine, Greek and analytical 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼. Panygiria.. I was a snob too.. but now in my early 50s.. I take a week off to travel to northern Greece to go to as many panygiria as possible (from the UK). I still struggle to get up to dance however I love seeing the tapestry of the whole Greek society unfolding in front of my eyes.. Greeks and expats Greeks of all ages and backgrounds all together drinking basic retsina or beers and eating the most unhygienic souvlakia cooked by Babis the Shepard (a volunteer).. the magic in northern Greece is that you can find 3-4 different types within 10km from your home (e.g Drama or Kavala). Thracian, Pontiac, Local Macedonian, even Cretan and of course a bit of a cocktail in most cases with the odd Zembekiko at the end of the night.. love them.. will be there mid July so all recommendations welcome 🙏
Thanks Anesti, glad you enjoyed the piece and really happy to hear about your love for panigyria. I also love your description, pretty colorful and apt. :)
"...sing like they just won the lottery". 😁 So true!
I took my partner to his first panygiri last summer. He was astounded. I said “there will be a lot of long tables, white chairs, roasted chestnuts, loukoumades, people of all ages dancing until the sun comes up” and it was exactly that… perched on a mountain between Nafpaktos and Messolonghi …. It was magical
Sounds amazing, Bessy. Glad your partner enjoyed this so much.
We definitely need something like a panegyri in the U.K. too.
I thought we were getting it back during Covid but no - it feels worse then ever now
We desperately need a sense of community back.
100%. I never feel completely happy unless I am in Greece either. Partly because of how close I was to my grandmother but I felt like that growing up too.
Curiously, I think this (authentic community building) is an area Greece can really lead the way.
Brilliant! And so identify with the resistance of our youth! Opa!
Our soul needs feeding too, and panigyria are the best source of food for it.
An other masterpiece, genuine, Greek and analytical 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼. Panygiria.. I was a snob too.. but now in my early 50s.. I take a week off to travel to northern Greece to go to as many panygiria as possible (from the UK). I still struggle to get up to dance however I love seeing the tapestry of the whole Greek society unfolding in front of my eyes.. Greeks and expats Greeks of all ages and backgrounds all together drinking basic retsina or beers and eating the most unhygienic souvlakia cooked by Babis the Shepard (a volunteer).. the magic in northern Greece is that you can find 3-4 different types within 10km from your home (e.g Drama or Kavala). Thracian, Pontiac, Local Macedonian, even Cretan and of course a bit of a cocktail in most cases with the odd Zembekiko at the end of the night.. love them.. will be there mid July so all recommendations welcome 🙏
You have made me nostalgic for my grandmother’s Northern Greek village ♥️
Thanks Anesti, glad you enjoyed the piece and really happy to hear about your love for panigyria. I also love your description, pretty colorful and apt. :)