Keeping the ancient wine tradition alive in Kilani, the jars open on each November to pour the first wine of the season. The "Poithigia" Festival returns to Kilani on November 13th and the whole village - but not only - is celebrating ... the opening of the jar ("annoiman tu pitharkou").
The must was left for weeks well locked and guarded with knowledge, art and adeptness by the local wine makers. At 12 in the noon on Sunday, November 13th, this year's wine will come out of the jars and an entire village will have a most exciting feast with free wine from Vlasides wineries.
In ancient times Pithoigia, the day on which the jars of the new wine where opened, was the official opening of Anthesteria celebration. They used to bring the first wine in the lake sanctuary of Dionysus and make libations outside the closed sanctuary of the god, wishing to consume successfully the new production. Then they tasted the wine themselves and danced and sang thanking Dionysus. In fact, that day as well as the next one, Athenians allowed the slaves to drink with them.
Today, the wine of the year is being celebrated with the same pomp and splendor, and in this festival of course all are welcome.
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