The famous custom with the “botides” that “purify” Corfu on Holy Saturday, has made the island the most famous destination in Greece for the celebration of Easter.
Every year thousands of people from every corner of the world travel to Corfu to be at the “Liston” to see countless “botides” being made into a thousand pieces.
Corfu on Holy Saturday wakes up early
Corfu on Holy Saturday wakes up early. At 06:00 in the Panagia of Xenon, an impressive three-aisled basilica in the Heptanesian style, the re-enactment of the earthquake that, according to the Scriptures, followed the first Resurrection takes place.
At 09:00 in the Church of St. Spyridon begins the procession of the Saint, which was established in 1550, when Corfu was saved from famine. The paradox here is that the procession of the Epitaph takes place at the same time, unlike in all other parts of Greece.
The procession of the Epitaph on Holy Saturday was actually established during the years of Venetian rule, as the Venetians banned processions and the Epitaph in the city.
The famous Corfu Philharmonic Orchestra accompanies the procession. You may have heard that Corfu has one of the best organized and “melodic” Philharmonic Orchestras – and really, their music is wonderful. Traditionally they play certain music on Holy Saturday, such as “Marcia Funebre” from Beethoven’s Herodic or Michelli’s “Calde Lacrime”.
A few hours later, mourning gives way to… joy and noise, as people gather in Spianada and Liston – and wherever else they can – to enjoy one of the most impressive Easter customs in our country, the “botides”.
At the signal of the first Resurrection at 11:00 in the morning, the residents of Corfu throw huge jugs full of water, the botides, from their balconies.
What are the “botides”
Botides are clay jugs with a narrow mouth and two handles on the side for carrying them. The balconies are decorated and the inhabitants tie red ribbons to the booties – red is the colour of Corfu.
Where does the custom in Corfu come from?
The custom of breaking the canals at Easter in Corfu has a long history, dating back to the Venetian era, but there are different theories as to how it started. And because we are in Greece, where Christianity is intertwined with the Dodecatheon, the theories have references to both religions.
Some say that the custom is of Venetian Catholics, where at the beginning of the year, people would throw away their old things so that the new year could bring them new and better things. The people of Corfu appropriated the custom, but replaced the old things with jugs to make more noise.
The second theory refers to the period of the ancient Greeks, who in April celebrated the beginning of the agricultural and vegetative season by throwing away their old jugs in order to fill others with the new fruits.
Some local people will surely tell you that, whatever the truth, they like to exorcise evil with their jugs, signifying the end of the winter lethargy and the rebirth of Nature.
If you visit Corfu at Easter when breaking the boots, be sure to take a piece with you to keep throughout the year – the locals will tell you that it brings good luck.
