The horse races of Agios Georgios
Every year, at the Kalliopi village, the day before the festival of Agios Georgios, the custom of horse racing revives. For the whole year, the younger habitats of Kalliopi and various neighboring villages, raise and train their horses to participate at this traditional custom.
The race begins from the Keros beach and ends at the village’s square. The horse riders put on a red scarf. According to the custom, by the end of the race, the winner heads towards the church, where the priest blesses the horse. The horse rider and the horse circle around the church before entering it so that the lucky rider can light a candle to honor Agios Georgios. The horse race is then followed by a big festival at the village’s square where plenty of wine is served. The event of the horse racing is organised by the Athletic Equestrian Landscaping Association of Kalliopi “Keros”.
The legend behind this custom has it that while the Ottomans were celebrating Ramadan at their mosque the habitats of Kalliopi were stealing their horses. Because they had nowhere to hide them, the Greeks took them at the Keros beach by the chapel of Agios Georgios and made their horses to run. Also, it is said that the Ottomans that tried to stop this custom were punished by Agios Georgios. Therefore, Greeks and Ottoman the day before the festival of Agios Georgios organized horse races and split into two groups, which remarks that the Ottomans respected this Greek tradition. Most likely this custom that relives since the 19th century halted only twice during the World War II.