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Religious festivities
The people of Fourni have strong religious feelings which
are proven by the many chapels on the island. The largest festivities
take place celebrating Mother Mary, Agios Ioannis Theologos,
Agios Ioannis Thermastis, Agios Minas on the homonymus island,
Agios Taxiarchis and many more. On July 17th there is the feast
of Agia Marina and a great festivity is organized by the members
of the island's Cultural Club including live music and food.
The menu mainly consists of goat cooked in tomato sauce which
is Fourni's traditional plate. On August 15th there is the
greatest festivity of the year taking place around the village's
port with orchestras and traditional delicacies.
In Agios Ioannis Thermastis chapel there is a festivity on
August 28th with showbreads and traditional celebrations.
Sports
The local football club called "Koursaros" (= corsair)
that has sections for children and teenagers, has done very
well in the local championship of Samos . Every May games are
organized on the island for students or not that include basketball,
volleyball, beach-volley and table-tennis. The people are very
fond of the games and the participation levels are high. There
are also school games and championships for high-school students.
Wedding
The marriages in Fourni are very special ceremonies. Especially
if the groom is from Chrysomilia and the bride from Fourni,
tradition says that the groom goes to Fourni on a boat throwing
fireworks. The family of the bride is waiting in the port to
escort him with violins to the bride's house. Then they all
walk together to the church and after the ceremony there is
a feast with fireworks and music.
Easter
Easter in Fournoi is remarkable. There are extravagant customs
impressing both locals and visitors. During the Holy Week on
the island there are many preparations such as house cleansing
and painting, dessert-making etc. On Holy Thursday the people
leave church in the village and go to each chapel on the surrounding
hills to light up the small hanging oil-lamps. The result is
amazing in the darkness of the night. On Holy Friday the women
gather to decorate the Epitaph with flowers they picked up
from their own gardens and at night they chant during the Epitaph's
procession. Holy Saturday Morning, the men exercise the Kladia
(branches) custom. They pick up branches and bushes. Once a
satisfactory amount has been gathered, they walk towards the
beach where a feast is being held. Afterwards they pile them
in the islands football field. After the Easter service they
light up the pile creating a tremendous atmosphere. At the
same time, women prepare the food which usually consists of
rice-stuffed lamb along with many spices that is cooked in
the village's ovens. After the service, starts a great religious
festivity with fireworks, food, drink and dancing. On Easter
Sunday the men take the lamb out of the ovens and after the
meal follows the 'second Resurrection' and the satirical 'burning
of Judas' in the village's square. The traditional custom of
the dynamites follows. Young men gather up the hills and as
soon as the 'second Resurrection' takes place, on the command
'varda' they throw handmade fireworks sending out the message
of the Lord's resurrection.
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