| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Zakynthos has a long and rich musical tradition. You can say, it flows in their veins. Their penchant for music can be traced to ancient times, when the god of music Apollo cherished the island. It is only fitting then that the first music school to be established in Greece was here in 1815. During Venetian rule, a distinctive brand of folk music, unique in Greece, called "cantada", came about. These choral pieces, accompanied by guitar and mandolin, withstand the test of time. Parallel to music, theatre flourished as far back as the 15th century. Aeschylus' play "The Persians" made its theatrical debut in the mid 16th century, and the first satire surfaced as "Omilies", a sort of folk theatre that townsfolk took to. And all this creative renaissance during a time when the Zakynthian aristocracy was listening to opera.
The dawn of the 18th century saw the creation of the "Comedy of Pseudo-Doctors", written by Savojia Rousmeli and considered the oldest work of dramaturgy.
Zakynthos is a cultural beacon in the middle of the Ionian Sea. Many distinguished and celebrated poets and writers are native sons: Dionysios Solomon –Greece's national poet—Andreas Kalvos, Ugo Foskolos, and Gregory Xenopoulos, among others. Still today, you are afforded the luxury of rare concerts and notable performances year-round.
Locals are welcoming, love to have fun, adore music and dance, with a strong disposition and a predilection for the arts. Zakynthian passion extends well beyond the arts and letters to include their homeland. They worship its surreal beaches, and revere traditions and customs.
The town of Zakynthos offers numerous entertainment options: tavernas and traditional cafes found in charming villages are favorite haunts for gastronomes and tourists alike, patrons from the four corners of the earth.
Navagio beach, or "Smuggler's Cove", with its white sandy beach and clear blue waters, has taken its place among the top beaches in the world and a must on anyone's itinerary to Greece.