Corfu Town festival 2011
Read all about historic Corfu Town’s fantastic mid Feb festival – it’s a cheese eating feast!
Held annually in Corfu Town, Cheese eating Sunday is one of Corfu’s more unusual events. A huge procession of floats, troops and brass bands pass through the town and a day of music, eating, drinking, dancing and laughter fills Corfu’s capital.
The merriments conclude with a huge and dazzling firework display, lighting up the Greek sky.
You may be thinking why is this event called ‘Cheese eating Sunday’? Throughout this particularly religious Sunday no meat products are allowed to be consumed. Instead macaroni cheese is served in abundance. Contrary to popular belief the word “macaroni” is not Italian, but actually derives from the Greek word “macaria”, meaning “blessed”.
The following day is “Clean Monday”. Whilst the carnival atmosphere is still present in Corfu Town, all food eaten has to be ‘pure’, meaning it is not to shed any blood. “Langana”, a flat Greek bread is served on “Clean Monday” along with squid, cuttlefish and fish roe.
Corfu Town is often referred to as being one of the most attractive towns in the whole of Greece. The views from the top of both the forts in Corfu Town’s old town are simply stunning. A walk along Garitsa Bay is particularly memorable, past the old Greek men playing boules, unique boutiques selling beautiful jewellery for a pittance, and the quaint waterside tavernas serving seafood so fresh, it is almost impossible just to walk past. Despite enduring substantial damage during WWII, Corfu Town’s architecture retains a strong Venetician style.
Corfu is a magical island, a mesmerising blend of history, culture, beauty and charm and Corfu Town is at the heart of the island’s enchantment. The many festivals and carnivals displayed in the town, and throughout Corfu as a whole, are a true embodiment of Greek culture, and performed with such passion, that they really are a pleasure to experience.
At the vanguard of such fervent celebrations has to be Cheese eating Sunday. If you are thinking of a late winter break, Corfu Town festival in mid-February has to be on the shortlist.