The Choir in Valaneio has a rich and long history. It is believed to have formed in the 18th century! The village itself is a small and isolated village in North Corfu, with a beautiful square and picturesque narrow alleyways. I have now been a member of this choir since 2024 and have had the opportunity to attend various events with it. One of the highlights was last August, on the 14th, at night, when we took part in the traditional religious procession of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary. Imagine walking through the narrow alleyways with a few singers, chanting in the warm darkness of the Greek summer, under a starlit sky, experiencing an almost mystical sense of peace, with the priests walking with us and chanting, and a few villagers attending. The beauty of the four-voice chants was unsurpassed by anything I have experienced in religious processions. I wondered why locals and tourists have not discovered it. This event was so beautiful that it deserved to be witnessed by many more people.
Today, however, was Thomas Sunday, and it revealed a very different side of the same tradition. Thomas Sunday is celebrated with great splendor, almost like a continuation of Easter itself. The village was vibrant, full of life, and the atmosphere was filled with joy and anticipation.
As we began chanting the Resurrection hymns in a festive and ceremonial spirit, another element of the celebration became part of the experience: the powerful sound of celebratory gunfire, a long-standing local custom that accompanies the procession. At certain moments, the rhythm of the gunfire even seemed to align with the chanting, creating a uniquely intense and dynamic atmosphere.
For me personally, being so close to this tradition was something new and quite strong as an experience. As someone who is sensitive to loud sounds, it was a challenge at moments, but also an opportunity to witness the depth and energy with which the village celebrates this day. The people were radiant, smiling, and fully present in the moment, and the village itself felt alive in a very particular way.
Thomas Sunday in Valaneio is certainly not a quiet celebration. It is vibrant, expressive, and full of character. Was it glorious? It was. Was it magnificent? It was. It is a unique event, and the chants we sing on this day are among the most elaborate and beautiful, reflecting its importance.
As for me, I think I will continue to take part in the quieter processions, which resonate more naturally with me, but I am grateful to have experienced this one as well.
Many thanks to Ioanna Vlachou for the kind permission to use her photos!
Here is a link to our final chant inside the church: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1667013037767006
With greetings from North Corfu.