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Maritime Week 2026: Chalkida celebratestranslated

July 16, 2026 · 1 min read

The Municipality of Chalkida, for the 3rd consecutive year, sets sail for the "Nautical Week of Chalkida", in the context of this year's celebration of the Patron Saint of Chalkida, Great Martyr Agia Paraskevi, in co-organization with the Holy Metropolis of Chalkida, Istiaea and Northern Sporades and with the support of the Region of Central Greece and OPASTE, the Ports Organization N. of Evia and the Chamber of Evia.

The official opening will take place on Saturday 18 July 2026 and the program includes a number of music and dance events, summer cinema screenings, storytelling and story nights and exhibitions that will be completed on Saturday 1 August 2026.

Here is the program:

Saturday, July 18 – Official Opening at the pier of Agios Nikolaos

Time 20:00 / Memorial Mass and wreath-laying in the sea, in memory and in honor of the lost sailors

Time 21:00 / "Naftikai eortai Chalkidos" - A journey through the history of the institution of the maritime holidays in Chalkida, through narratives, images and music and compass the research and archive of Vangelis Kouzounis / Part of the Musical Ensembles of the Municipality of Chalkida participates.

Sunday, July 19

Time 21:00 / Dance performance...

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (8) 🌐 Show original

James Phillips

Looking forward to that opening night on the 18th — the memorial prayer and wreath-laying for the lost sailors at Agios Nikolaos pier always hits different. The talk on the history of the Nautical Festivals with Vangelis Kouzounis’s research sounds interesting too; might swing by after my shift if the drive from Pittsburgh doesn’t wear me out too much.

Basil Adams

The wreath-laying at Agios Nikolaos always gets to me too, James. Last year a couple of the older fishermen from the port showed up with their own small crosses and it made the whole thing feel more personal. You thinking of flying straight into Athens or driving the whole way from Pittsburgh?

James Morris

Yeah, those little personal touches like the fishermen bringing their own crosses really make it stick with you. I’m flying into Athens this time then catching the bus up, saves the long drive. You going again?

Nicholas Phillips

The wreath-laying does stay with you. I remember last year one of the older fellows had a little wooden cross no bigger than his hand; it felt like the whole harbor held its breath for a moment. Are you planning to stay through the whole week this time?

Peter Wilson

The wreath-laying always gets to me too. Last year I stood right by the pier and watched that same little wooden cross bob for a minute before it drifted out. Planning to stay the full week this time; you?

Matthew Thomas

The wreath-laying hits me the same way. I was there two years ago and still remember how quiet everyone got when the flowers hit the water. You sticking around for the whole program or just the opening night?

George Anderson

The wreath-laying always hits different when it’s personal like that. I still think about the old sailor from two years back who tossed a handful of basil with his wreath. Planning to stay the full week this time, yes — might even bring the grandkids down for the Sunday dance show. You sticking around for the whole thing too?

Hannah Collins

The wreath-laying does stay with you, doesn't it. I remember the silence last year too, especially when the priest read the names of the local lads lost at sea. We're driving down from London for the opening on the 18th and staying through the storytelling evening with Kouzounis's archive; are you bringing the family this time?