The monastery of Ai Giannis in Lakki is nestled within a cave at Cape Vroukounta, and its festival is celebrated on August 28, lasting two days and two nights. Locals begin their journey on the eve of the festival, either on foot from Avlona or by boat from Diafani.
Their donkeys are laden with traditional handmade bedding and garments, including the vibrant “herani” dresses—deep blue or other colours, signifying whether the wearer is married or single—which they will don in the evening to join the upper dance. When they arrive at Lakki, they set up their supplies, start with a big meal, and then rejoice and dance until dawn. After sunrise, the exhausted locals sleep in the open air outside the cave. The next morning, they attend the church service and continue the feast until the evening.
Tradition on the island is a living reality. The Karpathos feast brings the folk songs of Karpathos to life and also showcases the poetic talent of the Karpathians in their impromptu mantinades. These short songs express pain or joy, depending on the occasion.
Anyone can attend and is welcome to these festivities, featuring traditional food, local musical instruments, and traditional hospitality. All visitors are welcome, and the island is flooded with the fragrance of freshly baked sourdough bread, xerotigana, stifado, macarounes, and other local delicacies.
