Culture and traditions

From ancient times until today, the people of Leros have received many influences from foreigners and familiar people who approached the island. But they always managed to isolate the positive elements of each culture and maintain a genuine tradition.

Christianity found fertile ground and developed from its earliest times. And later Saint Christodoulos inspired deep Christian feeling in the inhabitants. It is the period when Leros experiences special spiritual flourishing and prosperity. Homely people, warm, open-hearted and hospitable, the Lerians always loved their place and everything that connected them to them.

As islanders, they were always keen sailors and fishermen, most of them. There are few farmers since the island is small and the arable land is scarce. But among them there were also worthy craftsmen, masters in making boats and in building their houses.

Today there are dozens of scattered traditional settlements on the island. With “residences”, low-ceilinged houses, with many “traves”, small windows, pure white walls and blue “mantomas” which in the past were secretly imagined as the Greek flag against the then conquerors.

Something that testifies to the strong temperament of people who do not easily take pride in themselves. That they don’t forget. People with an indomitable spirit. Today’s Lerian people love and cultivate tradition and spiritual movement.

Today, the restored Beleni Tower houses the Folklore and Historical Museum of Leros with rare exhibits. Its Archaeological Museum exhibits remarkable finds, inscriptions, tombstones, coins, mosaics and vases. The cultural and artistic events organized every summer by the Municipality in close cooperation with local associations include remarkable concerts, theatrical performances, nautical competitions, painting exhibitions and lectures.

Leros is a welcoming place ready to welcome new worlds, new trends, while remaining authentic and humane. And today’s Lerios, without betraying their customs and tradition, have managed to combine the positive elements of modern life.

So in Leros you meet on the one hand fishermen untangling their nets and on the other a jet ski tearing up the sea. You are in front of modern tourist units that offer all the comforts perfectly in harmony with the natural environment of the island.

The Festivals are among the popular popular and religious events on the island, where widespread participation is observed. The main ones are the festival of Agia Marina which is celebrated on July 16 and 17 as well as the festival of the patron saint of the Castle, in Platanos on August 14 and 15 and on August 26 the festival of Agios Fanourios in Xerokampos.

Christmas and New Year

Customs

The Lyric wedding presents the greatest interest in terms of customs and traditions. The social events and the ceremony related to them have a formality for centuries that is strong and inviolable. The wedding preparations begin several days before with a general mobilization at the bride’s house. Sweets, “pougia” and homemade drinks are prepared.

Carnival

Among the traditional folk festivals organized in Leros each year, there stem out the Carnival, the feast of Kleidonas and the Wine Festival. The Carnival is staged by the Municipal Authorities, an event open to whoever wishes to participate.

Disguised in bright-colored costumes and masques – locally referred to as “camouseles” – people wanders through the narrow streets, singing and dancing.
True to the spirit of the season, children of the island, also disguised in minuscule monks, go from door to door, reciting self-made verses of satirical content.

The culture and traditions of Leros island are in general similar to the Greek Islands and the Greek mainland traditions. From the old times the ceremonies which used to gather Greeks together were the religious celebrations and marriages. This is the same in Leros with the two main religious celebrations being Easter and the Assumption of Maria on August 15th.

Carnival

Among the traditional folk festivals organized in Leros each year, there stem out the Carnival, the feast of Kleidonas and the Wine Festival. The Carnival is staged by the Municipal Authorities, an event open to whoever wishes to participate. Disguised in bright-colored costumes and masques – locally referred to as “camouseles” – people wanders through the narrow streets, singing and dancing.
True to the spirit of the season, children of the island, also disguised in minuscule monks, go from door to door, reciting self-made verses of satirical content. The culture and traditions of Leros island are in general similar to the Greek Islands and the Greek mainland traditions. From the old times the ceremonies which used to gather Greeks together were the religious celebrations and marriages. This is the same in Leros with the two main religious celebrations being Easter and the Assumption of Maria on August 15th.

Easter in Leros

During the Easter week, the Lerian house is a ‘work factory’ of preparation for the Greek housewife. Biscuits, cakes, cheese pies, hard boiled eggs coloured with the traditional red dye – all prepared for the great day of Saturday and Sunday, the Resurrection Day. This feasting is the culmination of the holy week of fasting. During the Easter week the children of the Island go to the countryside collecting lavender to spread over the streets of the main square of Platanos where the four parishes of the city gather on Good Friday night to carry the Epitaph (the Arch carrying the icon of Jesus) through the surrounding neighbourhoods. The next morning, the Lerian people celebrate the first resurrection and take their first communion after fasting. The main celebration comes at midnight when the whole island congregates at the churches to celebrate the resurrection of Christ, letting off firecrackers and burning the effigy of Judas. At the end of the religious service, people enter the churches to light their candles from the candle of the priest (the holy light) and bring it home where the family table is laid with all the traditional Easter food. Easter Sunday is the big celebration day all over Greece, feasting continues with families roasting whole lambs on spits out-of-doors.

The Assumption of Maria (August 15th)

Another big celebration of Leros, like all over Greece, is the Assumption of Mary. On the 14th August the whole Island goes up to the castle of Leros, where the Church of Mary is sited, to pay its respects and follow the liturgy. Afterwards they will be gathered in restaurants or houses with huge dinners and dancing through the night.

Alindia

During the summer the Lerians organise athletic competitions known as the Alindia and the Bulafentia. The naval week also take place in summertime and is dedicated to the Greek navy. This week involves free entrance to the public to various war ships which are visiting the Island.

Aegean Regatta

Leros also takes part in the Aegean Regatta during the month of August. The Educational Cultural Association of Youth of Leros, Artemis has, in recent years, become the centre of cultural activities in Leros, organizing theatrical, musical, traditional dancing, art exhibitions and lots of other cultural events in the Island and abroad throughout the year.