An incredible scene was captured during a traditional summer festival (panigyri) near Mylopotamos, Crete, on August 15th.
A video shared on social media by Cretan musician Petros Maroulis shows partygoers carrying an elderly woman on a sunbed so she wouldn’t miss out on the celebrations. They even had to lift the sunbed high above the crowd to bring her near the front, right by the stage where the band was playing.
“These things only happen in Margarites…!!” the artist wrote. Judging by the video, the grandmother enjoyed every second of it, joyfully clapping along to the music the entire time.
Everyone attends the festival, regardless of age
In Greece, August 15th marks the Dormition of the Mother of God (Koimisis tis Theotokou). It is one of the most important religious holidays in the Greek Orthodox faith, often referred to as the “Easter of the Summer.”
A Panigyri (plural: Panigyria) is a traditional communal feast that combines religious devotion with lively social celebration.
After solemn church services in the morning or evening, the village central square, church courtyard, or local field transforms into a open-air festival space.
Local musicians play live traditional instruments (like the lyra and laouto in Crete, or the clarinet in mainland Greece). People dance traditional folk dances for hours, often continuing until dawn.
A core element of a panigyri is that everyone attends, regardless of age—from toddlers and young adults to nonagenarians. The video of the grandmother on the sunbed perfectly illustrates this spirit: no one is left behind, and the elderly are cherished and included in the community’s joy.
Related: From Eve to Feast Day: Greece Honors Dormition of Virgin Mary With Nationwide Festivities
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