Families and friends plan trips to neighboring hillsides or coastal regions

The people of Keri invite everyone to enjoy the rich tapestry of their cultural heritage

Clean Monday, known as "Kathara Deftera" in Greek, marks the beginning of Lent in the Greek Orthodox tradition. It's a day when communities come together to celebrate with outdoor activities, traditional foods, and cultural events. In the picturesque village of Keri on Zakynthos Island, Clean Monday is observed with unique local customs that reflect both the island's heritage and the significance of the day.

Keri: A Look Back at Tradition

The historic charm of Keri, a community tucked away in Zakynthos' southern region, has been maintained. It provides a calm setting for cultural events with its stone homes, winding lanes, and old churches. The community is the perfect location for the outdoor celebrations that are the focal point of Clean Monday because of its close proximity to natural scenery.

Keri's Clean Monday Celebrations

Residents of Keri participate in a variety of events on Clean Monday that combine religious devotion with group happiness:

Outdoor Get-Togethers: Families and friends plan trips to neighboring hillsides or coastal regions, where they embrace the outdoors while dining together and spending quality time together. This custom fits well with the larger Greek habit of spending Clean Monday outside.

Kite Flying: Both kids and adults take part in this symbolic sport, which frequently results in the sky above Keri being littered with vibrant kites. In Greece, kite flying is a popular custom on this day and symbolizes the soul's path to spiritual purification.

Traditional Music and dancing: To promote a sense of community and preserve cultural history, local musicians perform folk tunes and spontaneous dancing sessions frequently break out.

Culinary Customs: Lagana's Function

A staple of the Clean Monday meal is "lagana," a unique kind of flatbread made just for the day.

Lagana: What is it? A classic Greek flatbread, lagana is distinguished by its oval form and dimpled top. It was unleavened in the past, but contemporary varieties frequently use yeast, which gives it a fluffy, light texture. Sesame seeds are usually sprinkled on top of the bread to give it a somewhat nutty taste.

Ingredients and Preparation: Flour, water, yeast, olive oil, and a dash of salt are the main ingredients for lagana. The dough is kneaded and allowed to rise before being molded into a flat oval, coated with olive oil, sprinkled with sesame seeds, and dimpled with fingertips before baking. For extra taste, some versions add olives or herbs.

Cultural Significance: Consuming lagana on Clean Monday marks the beginning of Lent and the observance of the ban on meat, dairy, and eggs. The bread's simplicity is a reflection of the time period's emphasis on modesty and spirituality.

A Day of Community and Reflection

Clean Monday is a celebration of community, nature, and cultural identity in Keri, not only a religious holiday. A sense of cohesion and continuity with the past is fostered by the combination of outdoor activities, traditional meals like lagana, and group celebrations. During this period, visitors to Keri can anticipate experiencing true hospitality and taking part in traditions that have been treasured for many centuries.

The people of Keri invite everyone to enjoy the rich tapestry of their cultural heritage as the Lenten season begins, demonstrating the harmonious blending of tradition and faith.

As the Lenten season commences, the people of Keri exemplify the harmonious blend of tradition and faith, inviting all to partake in the rich tapestry of their cultural heritage.