Spetses Armata-Αρμάτα Σπέτσες
Αrmata
September 8th, 1822: A Historical day, for the Greek Nation, an important day for the Spetsiots. An Anniversary of great National and Religious significance.
It was this day that the Spetsiot Fire-ship Captain Kosmas Barbatsis threw himself to the battle and risked his life to destroy the Turkish Flagship. This was an act of self-sacrifice that was catalytic for the result of the battle and was meant to send him to the glorious pages of History. It was a triumph for the Spetsiots and for the whole Greek Nation.
The annual reenactment of this ship-battle is dramatized in the island of Spetses and specifically at the entrance of the Main Harbor every September 8th, or at the closest Saturday to this date. The reenactment is consisted mostly by setting fire to a model of the Turkish flag-ship. It is strongly believed that the good result of the battle was very much due to the help of Virgin Mary, as it happened on the same day of Her Holiday. Thus, the festival of the reenactment was named after the local holiday of Virgin Mary, “Armata”.
The reenactment is the top of the climax of a weekly celebration, consisted of sumptuous cultural events. These events include mainly shows of some of the most popular Greek artists. The upshot of the Celebration is the reenactment, followed by a spectacular show of fire-works. During the reenactment a Narrator lyrically describes the most important events of that historically important period of the Greek Nation, ending his recital with the description of the battle, as we breathless watch it happening in front of our own eyes!
The Heroism, the meaning of Self-sacrifice, and the sense of Gratification for the final Victory, are feelings that will find a place in your heart and keep it forever, after this experience! You will be most impressed by the splendid fire-works-show, thrilled by the “ship-battle” but most of all touched by the revival of the historical events and the consciousness that even a bunch of people fight for their ideals and can achieve the impossible. When you fight for Freedom, none mission is impossible!
Regardless of the times you will manage to be present to the Festival, still it will not be enough! At least, this is what the annually returning visitors say when we ask them! The number of visitors for this festival is growing bigger every year. Your only worry is to make an early booking, as the tickets and room vacancies for this time of the year, reach zero even by mid August!
EVENTS 2009
ARMATA 2009
SUNDAY 30th AUGUST 2009
21.00 Theatrical performance of “The Barber of Seville”, by the Regional Municipal Theatre of Crete, at the outdoor theatre of the Anargyrios & Korgialenios School. Co-organized by the Prefecture of Piraeus and the Municipality of Spetses.
SATURDAY 5th SEPTEMBER 2009
The decoration, with national and local flags, of all public buildings, shops, houses and boats.
21.00 Concert by the band “STAVENTO” at the Poseidonio Square