FUN IN THE WINTER

Life in Zante is very different in the winter when all the tourists have returned to their homes.  The resorts become like ghost towns, the owners pack everything up secure the buildings and return to their homes in other parts of the island or the mainland some will go on extended holidays to Australia, America, Canada or Europe.  Due to the evacuation of the island in 1953 many islanders retain links in these far of destinations and will use the winter to visit relations.  However the island remains very active.  There are Christmas and the most important Easter celebrations, carnival and parades, both religious and non religious.  Charity events and boot fairs plus other organised events, and parties. 

Winter also brings the picking of the olives.  All summer the olive presses lay dormant but in winter you will see the farmers out with nets spread across the road picking and pruning the olive trees.  Towards the end of summer  the grapes will also be picked for the farmers to make their wine or you will see the grapes drying out on the ground for sultanas. 

The island is still very much a farming community and in the six non tourists months this becomes very apparent with the birth of baby chicks, lambs and goats and the cultivation of the kitchen garden.  Many islanders grow their own vegetables, brew their own wine, raise their own animals. 

In this part of 'Living in Zante" we would like to show some of the events that happen in winter.  And some pictures of the island without the tourist.