Pounta Festival
On Friday 26 July, we revived the spirit of the historic neighborhood of Pounta. The Pounta Festival, organized by Katheti with the participation of the Cultural Association of Poros Women “Poriotissa,”, was a celebration of tradition, community, and culture. The event successfully paid tribute to the neighborhood of fishermen, taverns and Poros hasapiko, featuring delightful surprises and the opening of two significant exhibitions: “Sotiris Tavern” and “One More Thought.”
Pounta, meaning “tip” in Italian, has a rich history as a working-class area on the southern tip of the island. Known as “Pounta the unruly,” the neighborhood was renowned for its vibrant nightlife, with famous taverns and cafes bustling while the rest of Poros slept. The festival successfully revived this essence, highlighting the neighborhood’s unique character.
One of the festival’s highlights was the tribute to the iconic “Sotiris Tavern” of Sotiris Kerras, now the new home of Katheti since May 2023. The tavern, a landmark for Poros, holds countless memories and stories from locals and celebrities alike. The event also honored the late writer, scholar, and translator Yannis Souliotis, whose legacy includes memorial plaques educating locals and visitors about the island’s cultural history. From now on, a plaque that was given to Sotiris Kerras will adorn Katheti’s historic building. The plaque by Yannis Souliotis serves as a testament that the painter Yannis Tsarouchis was inspired by this tavern to create his famous sailors. This way, Katheti honors the history of the building and the legacy left by Sotiris Kerras and Yannis Souliotis, two iconic figures of our region.
Additionally, the festival featured the painting exhibition “One More Thought” by the multifaceted and self-taught local artist George Klirodotakos. George Klirodotakos was recognized for his contributions to the island’s cultural life, particularly his dedication to teaching the Poros hasapiko dance pro bono, preserving local traditions.
During the event, the association “Poriotissa” sang beautiful songs on the terrace, accompanied by live music and their Maestro, Mr. Marinakis. At the same time, they offered traditional home-made lemonade and amygdalota to the attendees, adding a delightful taste of Poros’ culinary heritage. In a nod to the past, George’s students danced the Poros hasapiko in the middle of the street outside the taverns, just as it was done back in the day, bringing a vibrant and authentic touch to the celebration.
The Pounta Festival was a testament to the community’s collective effort to honor its past while embracing the present. We would like to thank once again Anouk Brinkerink for curating the exhibition “Sotiris Tavern”, Andreas Kouvaras, Vassilis Kolokythas, Christos Vikos, Lambrini Metaxa, Yannis Maniatis, and local businesses for their support, alongside the Municipality of Poros and the generous sponsors. The festival was a vibrant celebration of Pounta’s heritage, bringing together memories, traditions, and community in a joyous gathering.
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