Mesta is the ideal place for a pleasant holiday all year round. And every time the visitor has to see and enjoy something new. It is also worth visiting Mesta on Easter, visitors comes to worship, listen to the sequences, decorate the epitaph, celebrate the Resurrection at the Taxiarches Church, see the burning of Judas and enjoy the customs of the village. And as the stay at Mesta was marked in a large touristic exhibition, "you will feel like a native in no time" On Good Friday, there were hanging candles that filled the scene with the devotion of the day. Τhis time Mesta is a unique setting to experience unique moments.
Some of the unmissable experiences in Mesta are to be found at local festivals held throughout the year. Many celebrations are related to the commemoration of Saints held at churches and monasteries around Mesta village on different dates. On the eve of a particularSaint's Day, typically the local village holds a festival with a night banquet, accompanied by traditional music.on the day of the feast, a liturgy takes place, sometimes followed by another celebration.
Other festivals in Mesta focus on the wonderful natural produce of the village, sardines, olives and, of course, the famouse 'tears of Chios' mastic (masticha).
At the same time you can enjoy traditional music, traditional gastronomy and dance late into the night. There is no better way to learn about Chian culture, the environment of the island and the unique Mastic village of Mesta.
Whichever festival you join, it's sure to be grate fun and you will probably be offered a glass or two of the local aperitif ouzo, masticha liquer, or suma- local liquer derived from figs.
The "Agha"
On Ash Monday at the village square and in the presence of many people from all over Chios, one of the villagers disguises himself as an Agha (that is a Turkish judge during the period of Turkish domination) and judges the dwellers and visitors in a mocking way. The Agha surrounded by his escort (that is men who are dressed in an analogous way) arrives at the square in order to bring people to trial. After the trials there is always a dance with traditional music, food and drinks of their own production (that is wine and souma).
Festival of August 15th
This day which is celebrated all over Greece since it is dedicated to honour St. Mary, could not pass without a celebration at Mesta, where people grasp every occasion for dancing. If someone wants to attend the feast he should book a table in advance. The whole event is unforgettable for those who have seen it.
The fishermen's feast
It takes place on the August 17th in Limenas and it lasts for the whole day. The start of the fishing competition is made very early in the morning (at about 6 o'clock). The boats set out and return at 11 a.m. in order to give their fish for weighing. The scaling begins immediately with drinking and singing. Many fish are put in big cauldrons so as cacavia to be cooked. (Cacavia is a special kind of soup made of boiled fish). The fishing record is 140 kilos. In the evening the established fishermen's dance takes place in a tavern of Limenas. There, after cacavia is served, the winners of the competition will be awarded a prize. The participation in the morning competition is the easiest and commonest way for one to book a table for the evening dance.
Suma Festive
The celebration of Suma, (local product, alcoholic drink made of figs) is an example of their tradition and customs. Its important to mention the collective work, and volunteering. From the morning the whole village is prepairing for the feast. To set the barbecues, transfer the figs to the Square to build Ambuka, to make Souma and give it to consumption. Almost under the cover of Taxiarhis, the rest of the village is working.
In the afternoon they set the tables in the square so that visitors from all over the island, dance, eat and drink until morning.
