Colors of Mykonos City - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Mykonos has recently become one of the most tolerant resorts for LGBT persons. Here, they can not only vacation in a comfortable atmosphere, but also enjoy various entertainments. During the year, a lot of themed LGBT festivals are held. Every year, they are visited by thousands of tourists from all over the world. One of the main LGBT festivals is XLSIOR that is annually held in August. During it, fiery parties and open-air discos are organized on picturesque beaches. Besides, a lot of beauty contests, in which only LGBT people can participate, are held during the year.

The indigenous islanders’ attitude towards this is mixed. Some people are understanding while others try to protect themselves from the modern tourism sector. Rapid changes the island has seen over the past decades almost don’t affect the islanders’ way of living. Here, people still cherish religious traditions. Nowadays, there are over 340 functioning churches on the island. In every town and village, beautiful holidays dedicated to saint patrons are held. Religious items are some of the most popular gifts.

Like hundreds of years ago, craft traditions are cherished on the island too. There are a lot of interesting handicraft workshops. The locals make leather clothes and accessories that are famous for their high quality. Local craftsmen make interesting accessories only with their own hands. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The most popular gifts are handicrafts of semi-precious stones. The locals have been always notable for making elegant golden accessories. On the island, there are a lot of specialized shops where you can buy jewels or order exclusive accessories by individual sketches. Faithful people can buy handmade icons and other interesting religious gifts.

Besides themed festivals, a lot of other interesting celebrations are held for a wide range of individuals. For example, the Art Festival is usually held in mid-summer and lasts for several weeks. The representatives of various contemporary art fields take part in the festival. Its guests can enjoy interesting art exhibitions and fashion shows, as well as admire the works of designers and photographers. During the festivals, you can meet with famous artists and theatrical personalities. In recent years, cinema shows are a mandatory part of the festival. A lot of events held during the festival are dedicated to local cuisine. Such a diverse festival is organized by the local authorities. This way, they try to draw tourists’ attention to the modern culture of the Cyclades.

Even though Mykonos has recently become one of the youngest and fieriest Greek resorts, it is still popular with adherents of relaxing vacation. The coastal zone is bustling but you will plunge into a peaceful and comfortable atmosphere if you get a little away from crowded beaches. On the island, you can also admire well-preserved architectural monuments. Some of the main symbols are windmills. Stone churches with centuries-long history house precious relics. Every year, thousands of pilgrims come here to see them.

Mykonos is also popular with sports fans. It is often called “‘island of the winds”. It is windy on the coast. The wind makes local beaches perfect for surfing and sailing. During the year, Mykonos hosts a lot of sports competitions that always attract many foreign guests. Due to such cultural diversity, Mykonos is one of the most picturesque and most unusual Greek resorts that will leave no one indifferent.