Panigiria in Corfu
Agios Spyridon, the Philharmonics & the Venetian Kantada
Corfu's festival calendar is unlike any other Greek island's: three philharmonic societies (founded 1840, 1890, and 1980) converge for the Agios Spyridon August 11 procession through Corfu Town, where Western-harmonic brass bands replaced the tsambouna bagpipe tradition that defines every Aegean island to the east.
Corfu
Panigiria in Corfu
Corfu's three philharmonic societies - the Philharmonic Society (founded September 12, 1840, Greece's oldest; nicknamed 'La Banda Grecca' by foreigners), the Mantzaros Philharmonic Society (founded 1890), and the Kapodistrias Philharmonic Association (founded 1980) - are the structural centre of Corfiot public celebration. Four of the island's major saint-day processions bring all bands marching through Corfu Town simultaneously. The August 11 procession commemorating Agios Spyridon's credited miracle of 1716 - when the saint is said to have driven back an Ottoman siege - begins at 9 AM with all philharmonic societies and honour contingents and has no equivalent anywhere in the Aegean. The origin of the philharmonic tradition is documented: in 1837, a British Army band that had been participating in Orthodox ceremonies was prohibited by royal edict from doing so, prompting Corfiots to form their own orchestra.
The kantada is the second defining musical form of Corfiot celebration: a 4-part polyphonic serenade in the Italian harmonic tradition, performed by groups of 4-5 men who walk arm-in-arm through the streets in summer evenings. Its roots are in 400 years of Venetian rule (1388-1797) while the rest of Greece was under Ottoman occupation - the only Greek territory to remain under continuous Western European governance for that period. The Botides on Holy Saturday are a Corfiot Easter tradition: terracotta vessels are thrown from apartment balconies as the bells of St. Spyridon ring, and philharmonic bands begin playing marches in the streets immediately after. A village panigiri calendar runs from April through September, traditionally beginning in Makrades after Easter; the Sardine Festivals (July 12 and August 5-6, with free grilled sardines and live music) are a specifically Corfiot secular format.
Common questions
Why is Corfu's festival tradition different from other Greek islands?
Corfu was under Venetian rule for 400 years (1388-1797) while the rest of Greece was under Ottoman occupation - the only Greek territory with continuous Western European governance for that period. This produced an entrenched tradition of Western-harmonic brass bands and the kantada (4-part polyphonic Italian serenade), absent from Aegean island traditions. At Aegean island panigiria, a small folk ensemble of 2-4 musicians plays; at Corfiot processions, full wind orchestras march through the town.
When is the Agios Spyridon procession on Corfu?
Agios Spyridon, the patron saint of Corfu, is celebrated four times a year with major processions. The August 11 procession - commemorating the credited miracle of 1716, when the saint is said to have driven back an Ottoman siege - is the largest, involving all three philharmonic societies from 9 AM through Corfu Town.
Panigiria in other cities