KYTHERA´S NIGHT OF LIGHTS

LIA MAGEIRA

// Lia, who is based in Athens, Greece, intertwines her passion for art with her background in physiotherapy, creating a unique perspective in her work. Through her lens, she delves into human emotions and cultural narratives. In her latest series, Lia shares captivating glimpses of a Greek Orthodox cultural ceremony on the idyllic island of Kythera. Amidst the quaint streets aglow with candlelight, Lia’s photos illuminate the essence of tradition and community.

“Tradition is not the worship of ashes but the preservation of fire.”

Thomas More

What draws you to the arts?

Αrt for me is a raft on which I can dream. I especially love the theater, classical dance and museum visits. I believe that art is the escape of mind and soul.

What do you like best about this documentary series?

The project refers to the Epitaph Procession during Good Friday in Kythera Island. I like the significant tradition of the Procession, which is part of the culture of the island. People start walking from the church of Jesus Christ and go around the settlement. The tradition is for the houses and shops to have their doors open. At their entrance, there is a holy icon, flowers, and a censer to receive the blessing by passing the Epitaph. The locals compete to have the most beautiful composition. It is also an opportunity to admire the interior of the old mansions of Chora, the capital of Kythera. The custom is unique in Greece.

Carried by the Aegean winds, the scent of thyme and damp earth mingles with the salty tang of the sea. Kythera, a Greek island steeped in over five millennia of history, reveals its rugged beauty – a tapestry of windswept cliffs and ancient ruins. Amidst the whispers of a turbulent past, on the eve of Orthodox Easter, an old cultural tradition unfolds: the Procession of the Epitaph.

Chora, the island’s capital, with narrow, cobbled streets lined with whitewashed houses and arched doorways, creates a perfect stage for a sacred drama. As the doors of homes and shops creak open, ornately decorated icons are revealed, bathed in the warm glow of flickering candles, a plea for the Epitaph’s blessing.

The Epitaph, a symbolic bier of Christ adorned with a vibrant tapestry of flowers, emerges from the Church of Estavromenos. Locals, pilgrims, and visitors gather for the slow, meditative walk that winds through the heart of Chora, a testament to the enduring cultural heritage being honoured by the island’s community. As the procession approaches the imposing Venetian castle, a stunning spectacle awaits. Locals have carefully placed rows of tin candlesticks on the rocks, creating a path of flickering light that leads up to the lighthouse and crowns the castle itself.

With the arrival of the Epitaph, the air crackles with an electric reverence. One by one, the candles are lit, transforming the castle into a radiant beacon against the night sky. The scene is a fusion of faith, history, and long-standing tradition. Participants pass beneath the Epitaph to seek solace and renewal.

We have featured Lia´s work before, you may want to look up her other features (use the search function).

Some images may be cropped for layout. Click on the photos to see a larger version.