Celebrating Saint John in Alagni: Klidonas and May day wreaths

From klidonas to glowing bonfires, Crete’s living traditions blend with the joy of summer in Alagni

In the heart of Crete, the little village of Alagni wakes to summer with a celebration that feels timeless. This year, like generations before, the feast of Ai Giannis (Saint John – Αϊ Γιάννη) came alive with the magic of klidonas and the glowing dance of May Day wreaths, creating an evening full of wonder.

Tradition alive in Alagni

Klidonas is more than an old custom. It is a moment when hope, curiosity, and joy meet under the warm Cretan sun. Near the old schoolhouse and the church of Saint John, villagers gathered, placing a clay jug filled with fruits, each carved with a name, carrying the wishes and dreams of those hoping to glimpse the future. Soft manti̱nádes, the rhyming verses of Crete, floated through the air like whispered secrets, carrying blessings and gentle prophecies for the year ahead.

As the sun sank low, laughter mingled with the crackle of flames as May Day wreaths were set alight. Young women jumped three times over the fire, sending the old wreaths into the flames. Since ancient times, jumping over the fire has been a way to cleanse the soul, gain strength, and leave misfortune behind. The bonfire, tended by the Alagni Cultural Association, cast a golden glow on faces young and old. It was a moment where land, people, and spirit felt inseparable, a story unfolding in real life.

Life in the rhythm of Alagni

From Tonia’s Cottage, life moves at the gentle rhythm of Alagni. Nearby Arkalochori hums with quiet village life, the ruins of Knossos whisper stories of the past, and local wines carry the sun of Crete in every sip. No matter where the day leads, the calm embrace of the village is always there, a quiet place to rest, reflect, and feel the heartbeat of the island.

Ai Giannis in Alagni is not just a celebration; it is a living experience, where traditions, stories, and joy meet under the Cretan sky, carried from one generation to the next.

Tonia ❤️

Source: Newshub.gr & Ypaithos.gr

Music, manti̱nádes, and joy

Music floated through the night, carried by local singers, intertwining with playful manti̱nádes that sparked laughter and memory. Children twirled, adults clapped in rhythm, and everyone shared in the simple joy of being together. The Cultural Association offered sizzling souvlaki and cold beers, a humble feast that mirrored the warmth of Alagni itself.

Traditions that connect us

This celebration shows how traditions keep us close to our roots. Rituals like klidonas and the burning of May Day wreaths carry the whispers of generations, honoring the cycles of life, the passing of time, and the simple joys that bind a community together. In these moments, the village, its people, and their stories come alive, creating a living memory of Crete’s heart and spirit.

A glimpse into the roots of klidonas

June, the first month of summer, has always been a month of life, change, and celebration. It has many folk names: “Kerasari” for the cherry harvest, “Riganá” for the blooming oregano, “Theristis” for the start of the grain harvest, and “Liotropi,” when the sun reaches its peak at the summer solstice. Among these seasonal celebrations, klidonas stands out as a ritual blending fortune-telling with the renewal of nature and life.

The word “klidonas” comes from “κλήδών,” meaning a prophetic sign. Its roots stretch back to Homeric times, and even during the Byzantine era, it retained elements of sun worship and prophecy. On the eve of Ai Giannis, unmarried women prepared the klidonas jug, filled with fruits or small objects, each bearing a name. Later, they collected “silent water” from wells or springs, speaking no word until it was secured, as the water carried prophetic power. These two parts of the ritual—the fire and the silent water—link the present to the past, keeping the wisdom and traditions of ancestors alive.