The villages of Prespa host a number Feasts or ‘Panegyria’ particularly in the spring and summer, in celebration of their patron Saints. The feasts are very lively, with families and friends dancing well into the wee hours of the morning to the traditional tunes played by local brass bands known as ‘Halkina’.

A calendar of local feasts in the Prespa villages includes:

• Celebration held in the village Laimos - 4th day following Orthodox Easter / Pascha.
• Feast of Christ’s Ascension, in the village Karies, held 40 days following Orthodox Easter / Pascha.
• 11 & 12 May: Feast of Agios Germanos, in the village Ag. Germanos.
• Feast of Holy Spirit, in the villages Pisoderi and Andartiko, held
  50 days following Orthodox Easter / Pascha.
• 23 & 24 June: Feast of Agios Ioannis, in the village Laimos
• 26 July: Feast of Aghia Paraskevi (St. Paraskevi) in the villages Kallithea and Vrondero.
• 5 & 6 August: Feast of Christ’s Transfiguration at the village Platy.
• 14 &15 August: Feast of the Dormition of Theotokos ( : the Giver of Birth to God) at the village Psarades.

In addition, Municipality of Prespa organises The Bean and Tsironia Festival each August which showcases various dishes made from the region’s famous white beans and small freshwater fish. This event also is accompanied by the music of Halkina bands and dance performances by local groups.

The most famous event taking place in Prespa is the annual Prespes Festival or ‘Prespeia’, where world renown artists from Greece and the neighboring Balkan countries perform under the stars in the remains of the basilica on the island of Agios Achilleos. The concert, held in late August, celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2008.

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Laimos Village • Prespes Lakes 53077 • Greece
tel: +30 23850 51 422 or +30 694 472 5199
email: info@mimallones.gr