Aroma … of a new year in Corfu in the coming hours. In northern Corfu, on New Year’s Eve, the whole world is showered with colognes. The custom comes from the Venetian years of the island. Young and old, take to the streets and cologne all passers-by, friends and strangers, known and unknown. They give everyone a wish: “Good cut”, that is, to say goodbye to the good old year and to joyfully welcome the new.
The morning awakening of the elders
In the mountain villages of the island, on New Year’s Day, the elders wake up at dawn. The custom wants to be the first to welcome the new year. They go out to the windows, or in their yards and gazing at the mountains and especially the Pantokrator, the highest mountain of Corfu, they say with absolute ecstasy:
“Good morning mountains and happy new year, like the mountains I am strong, like the sea awake and like the sea waves doing my wishes…”
Strina, the joy of children
At the same time, on New Year’s Day, the custom of “Strina” is revived. This is a large sum of money, which the children will receive from their relatives as “good luck” for the new year.
“Strina”, according to historical data, was the currency of the kalantists, in Byzantine times “earchism” or “Strina”. It comes from the Latin strena which means a happy omen, but also a New Year’s gift, or “epinomis” as the ancient Greeks called it or commonly “bunamas” as they say it today, and it comes from the Italian bona – mano, meaning good hand.
At 12 midnight with the change of time, all the ships that are moored in the ports of the island will be illuminated and will greet in their own way the new year to come, leaving a joyful roar that will be heard as far as Igoumenitsa and its shores. Epirus.
Anyway, Corfu is special throughout this festive season. From one end of the island to the other, the local choirs and philharmonic orchestras of the island put on their traditional costumes and “sing” them in every canton and in every neighborhood. The atmosphere is magical and certainly reminiscent of other times with customs that “slipped” from the past and continue as they are today.
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