CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
Every year Thymiana presents
its Mostra, which has deep roots in the Middle Ages.
It depicts the
struggle of the Chians against the robbers and pirates, who rampaged the
rich areas of the island, such as Thymiana.
On the last Friday before the Triodio (the carnival period), young men of
the town dress in costume.
Wearing old male and female clothing, they hide
their faces in special masks and perform various acts for the viewers.
On the Sunday that follows, they gather in the center of town and perform
a special dance, called the "Talimi", to the accompaniment of
music.
This dance is particularly impressive since it recreates, in dance
movements, the hand to hand combat of the local people with the pirates.
Carrying long sticks representing swords, one man from each side steps forward to begin the swordfight.
As they dance, they move together towards the center of town, where they remove their masks and continue the dance called the "Deto".
Placing the "swords" in their belts, they dance in a circle.
Then, singing a war song to the accompaniment of music, they move towards the church of Agios Stratis (a short name for Efstratios), where they tie the Chian banners and flags onto the church railings.
Today these old costumes are
enriched with newer elements, modern costumes and floats that satirize
today's life.
Every summer in August, the
M.E.O.Th. (Thymiana Cultural Society) sponsors
a festival of traditional dances in which both Greek and European dance
groups participate.
