Ελληνικά
Activities
Religious festivities
The people of Fourni have strong religious feelings which are proven by the many chapels on the island. The largest festivities take place celebrating Mother Mary, Agios Ioannis Theologos, Agios Ioannis Thermastis, Agios Minas on the homonymus island, Agios Taxiarchis and many more. On July 17th there is the feast of Agia Marina and a great festivity is organized by the members of the island's Cultural Club including live music and food. The menu mainly consists of goat cooked in tomato sauce which is Fourni's traditional plate. On August 15th there is the greatest festivity of the year taking place around the village's port with orchestras and traditional delicacies.
In Agios Ioannis Thermastis chapel there is a festivity on August 28th with showbreads and traditional celebrations.
Τον Δεκαπενταύγουστο, συνήθως στο λιμάνι του νησιού, γίνεται το μεγαλύτερο πανηγύρι του έτους με παραδοσιακό γλέντι, νησιώτικη ορχήστρα και την πατροπαράδοτη κοκκινιστή γίδα (το παραδοσιακό φαγητό της εκδήλωσης).
Στις 17 Ιουλίου που είναι η γιορτή της Αγ. Μαρίνας, γίνεται πανηγύρι στην Πλατεία του νησιού με ζωντανή μουσική και παραδοσιακά φαγητά που μαγειρεύονται από τα μέλη του Πολιτιστικού Συλλόγου, με κύριο πιάτο την κοκκινιστή γίδα, παραδοσιακό φαγητό των Φούρνων.
Τέλος, στο εξωκλήσι του Αγ. Ιωάννη του Θερμαστή ή Αποκεφαλιστή κάθε χρόνο στις 28 Αυγούστου, γιορτάζεται η χάρη του Αγίου Ιωάννη, με εσπερινό και πανηγυρική δοξολογία την επόμενη ημέρα. Εξάλλου, μετά τον εσπερινό, στην πλατεία του ομώνυμου οικισμού, γίνεται πανηγύρι με παραδοσιακά φαγητά και μουσική.
Sports
The local football club called "Koursaros" (= corsair) that has sections for children and teenagers, has done very well in the local championship of Samos . Every May games are organized on the island for students or not that include basketball, volleyball, beach-volley and table-tennis. The people are very fond of the games and the participation levels are high. There are also school games and championships for high-school students.
Wedding
The marriages in Fourni are very special ceremonies. Especially if the groom is from Chrysomilia and the bride from Fourni, tradition says that the groom goes to Fourni on a boat throwing fireworks. The family of the bride is waiting in the port to escort him with violins to the bride's house. Then they all walk together to the church and after the ceremony there is a feast with fireworks and music.
Easter
Easter in Fournoi is remarkable. There are extravagant customs impressing both locals and visitors. During the Holy Week on the island there are many preparations such as house cleansing and painting, dessert-making etc. On Holy Thursday the people leave church in the village and go to each chapel on the surrounding hills to light up the small hanging oil-lamps. The result is amazing in the darkness of the night. On Holy Friday the women gather to decorate the Epitaph with flowers they picked up from their own gardens and at night they chant during the Epitaph's procession. Holy Saturday Morning, the men exercise the Kladia (branches) custom. They pick up branches and bushes. Once a satisfactory amount has been gathered, they walk towards the beach where a feast is being held. Afterwards they pile them in the islands football field. After the Easter service they light up the pile creating a tremendous atmosphere. At the same time, women prepare the food which usually consists of rice-stuffed lamb along with many spices that is cooked in the village's ovens. After the service, starts a great religious festivity with fireworks, food, drink and dancing. On Easter Sunday the men take the lamb out of the ovens and after the meal follows the 'second Resurrection' and the satirical 'burning of Judas' in the village's square. The traditional custom of the dynamites follows. Young men gather up the hills and as soon as the 'second Resurrection' takes place, on the command 'varda' they throw handmade fireworks sending out the message of the Lord's resurrection.
