on May 14th
Ikaria is famous for its lively and large village festivals (panigyria), which form an essential part of its identity and culture. Among them stands out the celebration of Saint Isidore, held every year on May 14th in the village of Agios Isidoros. It is a day of joy, faith, and togetherness, uniting locals and visitors in a truly Ikarian experience.
Ikaria’s festivals were added to Greece’s National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Festivals are one of the most joyful expressions of Ikarian community life. They bring together music, dance, rituals, traditions, and even practices of sharing and exchange. Beyond the celebration itself, they help renew family and friendship ties between people, households, and villages, and they play a key role in keeping local identity alive. Over time, they have also supported community well-being by funding and inspiring projects for the common good.
In 2022, they were added to Greece’s National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The Religious Celebration
The morning begins with the sound of church bells calling the faithful to the Divine Liturgy at the Church of Saint Isidore. The atmosphere is devout, with people arriving from all around to light a candle and seek the saint’s blessing. At the end of the service, traditional kollyva (boiled wheat with sugar and spices) and artos (blessed bread) are distributed to all, as a sign of grace and community participation.
The Festivities
After the service, the celebration moves to the village square. Long tables are set up, laden with local delicacies: goat stew, traditional dishes in tomato sauce, fresh salads, cheeses, plenty of local wine, and of course, the renowned Ikarian pilaf. Soon after, the melodies of violin and lute fill the air, inviting everyone to dance.
The Ikarian dance, with its distinctive rhythm and inclusive spirit, is the hallmark of the festival. Locals and visitors join hands, forming long lines, and celebrate together well into the night, embodying the spirit of unity and hospitality that Ikaria is known for.
The Ikariotikos dance of the festivals is the most well-known and lively traditional dance of Ikaria, and it is an integral part of the island’s festival culture, bringing everyone together.
Indicative Festival Program
- 07:30 – 10:30: Matins and Festive Divine Liturgy at the Church of Saint Isidore.
- 10:30 – 11:00: Distribution of artos and kollyva to the faithful.
- 11:00 – 13:00: Gathering in the village square, setting of tables, and first serving of local dishes.
- 13:00 – 18:00: Festivities with violin, lute, and traditional Ikarian dances.
- 18:00 – 20:00: Break, rest, and preparation for the evening celebration.
- 20:00 – until dawn: Nighttime festivities with food, wine, music, and dancing until sunrise.
More than Just a Celebration
Like all the great festivals of Ikaria, the feast of Saint Isidore is much more than a religious observance. It is a pillar of social life—an opportunity for families and friends to reunite, for visitors to join the locals, and for everyone to share joy, music, and tradition.
Anyone who finds themselves in Agios Isidoros on this day will experience something unforgettable: a feast of faith, music, and human warmth that captures the very soul of Ikaria.
