THE CUSTOMS

Aegina island was in 1828 the first Capital of Greece. Later, in the 19th century the buildings were built with the neoclassical style. Today in Aegina island we meet different architectures.

Aegina produced many important and famous historians and artists, such as the historian P. Irioti and G. Kouliakourdi, the poets A. Kiriakopoulo, K. Sarantakou, T. Gianouli, A. Androutso, N. Lieva, the painters K. Galani, F. Kapo, the sculptors C. Kapralo, N. Klono, B. Antoniou and others.

Also Aegina has got rich folklore history such as the traditional Aeginian wedding, the custom of Dilinou, the dance of Labri and the custom of Klidona.

During the traditional Aeginian wedding the clothes of the bride are getting sprinkled with rice and roses. Also, after the making of the wedding bed, the dance and music starts with presents to the bride and the groom. After the wedding there is more dance and music.

On the day of the Resurrection in Aegina was the custom of the dance of Lampri. There were two dances. The "small dance" was in the square of Panagia Foritissa. The "big dance" was in the square of the Church of the Cross, when the small dance was over. In both dances sthere were the singer and musical instruments. The dance lasted three days. Today the custom is revived every Easter in the Church of the Cross in Paleochora.

The custom of Klidona is revived each June 23, at the eve of the feast of St. John the Baptist. A girl silently fills a jug with water and bring it to the house, without speaking to anyone. At home there are young people who throw into the water a ring or an earring or another object. The next day, the day of the feast of St. John, the young men and women gather again and take the objects.

The custom of Dilinos, represents the death of summer on September 14, the day of the Cross. Then led to the death of the small evening meal of the summer, which was called Leidinos.