In Kefalonia’s largest towns, especially Argostoli and Lixouri, New Year's Eve starts with a breakfast of Tiganites – a sort of pancake drenches in honey. This is the day when youngsters play practical jokes mostly spraying each other with perfume or flour in some areas flour to mark the end of one year and the arrival of another.
On Kefalonia, like other Ionian Islands, New Year celebrations include local bands and choirs playing traditional music and singing traditional songs.
There is an ancient Ionian custom that continues to be followed today. On the 31st December, everyone takes a stroll out into the countryside to dig up an 'askinokara' referred to as the 'St Basil's (Father Christmas) plant. Commonly known as the sea squill, this bulbous plant resembles a large onion with big, green leaves. Homeowners hang the plant over the front door of their house to bring good luck, health and protection to the home and its occupants during the forthcoming New Year.
Another traditional custom is the breaking of a pomegranate by smashing it on to the ground in front of the main door of the house to expose the seeds. The myth continues that however many seeds are visible on the ground is the amount of wishes that will be granted. This is also the one night of the year that is admissible by the church to gamble!
At midnight, shouts of 'Xronia Polla' will resonate. The all-purpose word is used on New Year’s Eve to wish everyone well on many occasions. Then, the celebrations start with eating, drinking, dancing and a visit to a bouzouki club.
The 1st January – New Year’s Day denotes the feast of Saint Basil with the church celebrating the circumcision of Jesus. A traditional New Year cake - 'Vassilopita' is sliced (an old Byzantine custom) and the person who finds the coin that has been placed inside is traditionally the New Year's lucky person. In some Ionian households New Year's gifts are also exchanged.
