Traditional Fava Festival on Schinoussa Unites Generations

The ninth-annual Fava Festival on the island of Schinoussa unites people—locals and visitors, neighbors and friends, and even generations.

The Festival took place on the 24th and 25th of June on the tiny island of Schinoussa, which is located in the Cyclades.

The Greek island is known for its produce and traditional food in general but particularly for its fava, a traditional Greek spread made from yellow split peas.

The yellow split peas can be found all across Schinoussa, and the dip is famous across the country.

Schinoussa Fava Festival

This year, festival organizers were dedicated to protecting the island’s natural environment and reducing waste. Rather than giving out plastic cups to visitors for drinks, organizers requested that all those who wished to attend bring their own glass cups to the festival.

As part of the festival, visitors are offered samples of the dish, all while bands play traditional Greek music as well as songs from the island.

One of the most beloved aspects of such traditional Greek festivals, which can be found across the country, is the dancing.

Those who feel inspired by the music are welcome to get up and partake in Greek dancing. In fact, the moving dance between a Greek grandfather and his granddaughter at the Fava Festival has gone viral in Greece.

Giorgos Kovaios, 89, and his granddaughter Pothiti, roused the crowd at the festival dedicated to one of the island’s specialties.

Viewers were amazed by the Greek pappous’ passion and dancing ability as well as the love clearly shared between the grandfather and his granddaughter.

Traditional Greek dances have the ability to unite generations, as younger Greeks have recently begun to rediscover and appreciate the dances with which their grandparents were raised.

Greek pappous and granddaughter dance goes viral

One Facebook page, called “Rizes,” or “Roots,” wrote:

Giorgos Kovaios, 89, dancing with his granddaughter Pothiti at the 9th annual Fava Festival on Schinoussa. We met him the next day, and he was full of happiness telling us about how his island had filled up with visitors. Quite simply a welcoming island resident. An example and inspiration for all of us. Only respect.

The dance shared between the grandfather and his granddaughter exemplifies the strong family bonds and dedication to tradition for which Greece is famous.

Schinoussa, which is considered one of the “Small Cyclades,” is home to just 400 residents and measures just 9 square kilometers (3.5 square miles).

The charming island is located south of Naxos, and the traditional villages of Mersini, which is the port, Hora, the main town, and Messaria, are popular amongst travelers who are trying to avoid the crowds found on larger Greek islands.