In 2009, the United Nations designated 22nd of April as «International Mother Earth Day». The cycle «THE HOLY TRAGEDIES» aims to commemorate this day, and this year it is combined, in a particularly symbolic way, with the traditional spring rituals of the Week of Transcendence after Easter. With the milestones of the feast of Zoodochos Pigi and St. George, as well as Thomas Sunday with the Pontian Cult custom that honours the dead in the cemeteries with food and songs.
At 12.00 at the Square of the Pontian Settlement Square, Lambros Liavas will speak about the profound meaning and functions of the folk events and songs of this period, during which Christian worship is revived in its ancient origins, Christ converses with Adonis and St. George meets the ancient dragon-killing hero who releases water and brings forth fruitfulness.
The Pontian lyre player Ilias Yfantidis will refer to the “sa tafia” custom and will play the traditional obituaries and songs of these days, with the participation of the members of the Pontian Elefsina Association “Nea Trapezounta”. Pontic treats will be offered, while the public will be able to visit both museums (for the Pontic tradition as well as for Stelios Kazantzidis) that operate in the “House of the Association” (Euklidi & Filikis Etairias).
Then, from 13.00 to 16.00 at «Oasis», a big folk feast will be held under the trees with the songs and dances of Earth, Spring and the Greek Easter. Among them are the very special songs «of the swing» that were common those days in many regions of Hellenism, echoing the ancient «hammocks», transferring «homeopathically» the fertility of the blossoming trees to the young girls.
