The southernmost island of the Dodecanese group, Kassos is a speck of pure Aegean between Crete and Karpathos, with a population of just one thousand. Most of its inhabitants make a living from fishing, from owning fishing boats to fish taverns or simply as fishermen. Everyone has some involvement in the island’s traditional occupation, men and women. Kassos is famous for its religious folk festivals, which are held in the halls or forecourts of churches throughout the year in observance of saints’ feast days and which attract both locals and visitors. The panigyri, weddings, and celebrations have followed the same rituals for centuries. These include live music performed on the Aegean lyre and lute, the dances sousta and zervos, improvised mantinades or rhymed verses that tell local tales, and flowery speech—and, of course, local specialties that are served as part of the celebration. The panigyri on Kassos is steeped in local custom and is a colorful celebration with music and dancing. Lively tunes played on lyre and lute and the traditional savory and sweet dishes make these communal feasts very popular. The largest panigyri on Kassos is at Pera Panayia on August 15, the feast of the Dormition of the Virgin. Others include: Ayia Triada (Holy Trinity, a moveable feast) at Poli Ayia Marina on July 17 at Ayia Marina Christos on August 6 at Panayia Ai Mammas on September 2 at the monastery with the traditional guest cells Panayia Elerou on September 8 at the monastery with the mitata, shepherds’ quarters Timios Stavros (Holy Cross) on September 14 at Ayia Marina Ayios Dimitrios on October 26 at Arvanitohori Ayios Georgios on November 3 and on April 23 (moveable) at Hadies (Stavropigiani) Ayios Spyridonas on December 12 at Fry Saints Constantine and Helen on May 21. The municipality also organizes three-day observances each year to memorialize the Kassos holocaust on June 7, 1824. There is also an arts festival in August with theater inspired from Kassos’s history and customs, exhibitions of traditional local dress and embroidery, as well as stalls featuring local products such as honey, cheeses, breads, and sweets. Apokries or carnival and Kathara Deftera, the first day of Lent, are celebrated with local specialties and the ritual building of the taliera, a traditional Kassos kite.