Each year on June 23/24, there are celebrations of the ancient tradition of Klidonas in many villages on Kos, although the village of Pyli is renowned for its celebrations held on the 23rd. This year, the festival falls on a Monday and Tuesday.

As in previous years, two celebrations of the festival will take place, the first in Eleftherias Square, in Kos Town and in Kefalos at the port. We will post details when they are announced.

Klidonas is an ancient custom revolving around fortune-telling, which begins on the eve of the Feast of Agios Ioannis (St. John the Baptist). The Klidonas requires that all the single girls of the village, who are dressed in traditional costume, offer in silence a water jug to the other members of the village. They, in turn, are required to throw a personal item such as a ring, earring, or brooch into the jug.

After passing amongst all present, the girls remove the items one by one, whilst reciting traditional incantations. These verses are supposed to reveal the fate of the girl in relation to each item. The evening celebrations continue with song and dance around bonfires, which are lit with old ‘May Day’ wreaths and from which it derives its name of ‘Fire Night’ (Fanos).

The celebrations in Kefalos are at the port, starting at 20:00.

We have not received confirmation of the time of celebrations in Kos Town, but we would expect they will also start around 20:00.