Gkachelona
Every year on New Year’s Day, one of the most distinctive traditions of the Voio region comes to life in Mikrokastro: the custom of Gkahelona. Combining humour with collective participation, this unique celebration keeps an important part of the area’s cultural identity alive. In Mesochori, the village’s central square, residents gather for a festive celebration that culminates in the Gkahelona dance. Men form a circle and dance while singing, without the accompaniment of musical instruments. The lead dancer sets the rhythm through improvisation and theatrical movements, while another man, standing at the centre of the circle and holding a shepherd’s staff, coordinates the performance and ensures that the dancers faithfully follow the movements. Pay close attention to the Gkahelona song as well. You may find yourself smiling at the humorous stories it tells, with animals taking centre stage. The custom continues to be passed down from generation to generation, and its cultural significance has been recognised through its inclusion in Greece’s National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage.