The Kavalarides Custom (August 15th)
Serving as a living pathway to Siatista’s heritage, the Kavalarides (Horsemen) ride out every year on August 15 for the pilgrimage to the Virgin Mary at Mikrokastro. Men, women, and children decorate their horses with embroidered textiles and flowers, wear traditional costumes, and set off from Chora and Geraneia toward the Monastery of the Virgin of Mikrokastro. After the pilgrimage, the groups return to town, where the squares turn into a grand celebration with brass bands, dancing, and impressive displays of skill, such as tossing and catching traditional flasks (tsotres) in midair. Born during the Ottoman era, this custom continues to this day as a symbol of faith, pride, and community spirit.
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