TRADITION
The influence that European
conquerors yielded on Cephalonia and generally the Seven Islands is more than
evident. Voice tone, dialect, linguistic idioms, traditional clothing and even
people's education are somewhat different than in the rest of Greece.
Who can't
recognize the influence of the Venetians and generally the Italians, while
listening to Cephalonians talk? All those speaking Italian will realize that
many words have remained intact, without Greek endings. That is why
most of the locals, without really speaking the language, can communicate
with Italian tourists, a fact that causes much surprise. In past centuries,
aristocracy preferred to send the male members of their families for studies to
Italy. After the completion of studies, the new scientists and scholars brought
a European air that was, at that time, in complete contrast to the eastern ways
of mainland Greece. This western atmosphere resulted in the special
position of women in society. It was taken for granted that women from the
aristocracy would learn foreign languages, study the piano and would participate
in the island's social life, i.e. watch plays in the theatre Kefalos, attend
dances and concerts of classical music etc.
MUSIC
Music is another area influenced by Italian culture. The founding of the National Musical School by Dionyssis Lavragas (1864-1941) instigated the great tradition of cantades, serenades and arriets. The arriet, a unique musical genre in Greece, is a small song (aria), that has its roots in the Italian word "a orecchia" (=with the ear) and is based on the musical perception of singers. The genre originated from the fishermen who gathered every night in taverns to divide the shares of the day. Cantades and serenades are considered to be an evolution of the arrieta and are accompanied by guitar. Also chanting is very important, with characteristics that differentiate it from the Byzantine tradition. Italian music is also echoed in local dances, which are accompanied by the violin, guitar and mandolin. The most common ones are: Ballos, Mermigas, Koutso, Voskopoules with Divaratiko being the most popular as Cephalonians cannot help but get up and dance upon hearing the first notes.
ARTS AND LITERATURE
Like all the Ionian Islands, Cephalonia has claimed from time to time great figures in the arts and literature field, who influenced Greek civilization. The most flourishing period was between 1850-1950, with coinciding financial growth, resulting in people's orientation towards theatre, literature, music and the sciences.
Distinguished figures in music were Antiohos Evangelatos, a well-known composer of symphonic music, violinist (fiddler) Dimitrios Horafas, composer Dionyssios Lavragas, pianist Spyros Farantatos, Petros Skarlatos etc.
Painting was represented by Herouvim Anninos, hagiographer, Dimitris Stellakatos, Nikolaos Liokis, great caricaturist, Themos Anninos and Spyros Vikatos (1874-1900), whose works are displayed in Munich and Switzerland. Exhibitions of contemporary painters are found in several parts of the island, like the Cultural Center of Poros, the house of the painter Panagiotis Gavrielatos, the art halls of Fiscardo and Argostoli etc. Moreover, St. Andrew Museum has a magnificent collection of frescoes and icons (hagiographies), dating two centuries ago.
Nevertheless, the most distinguished Cephalonian figures come from the literary field. Some with their romantic style, others with sharp and at the same time satyric orientation, have created "schools" based on their characteristic touch. The most renowned figures are: Ioulios Tipaldos, George Molfetas, Babis Anninos and Nikos Kavadias, whose parents were from Cephalonia. Also, an important contribution to literature was made by: Pangiotis Lorentzatos, Ioannis Loverdos, Panagiotis Vergotis etc. Undoubtedly though, the most distinctive figure in literature was Andreas Laskaratos. Being the last representative of Modern Greek Enlightenment, he made explicit through his writings his opposition to religious fanaticism and generally the clergy. Although he experienced intense feelings of theism and rationalism, he was nevertheless unable to comprehend the redeeming power of Orthodoxy, a fact which resulted in his excommunication by the Church. However, a satyrical style and the power of his ideas that made him known to Greece permeated his writings.
A leading figure in the field of sculpture was George Bonanos.
Architecture does not exhibit any particular figures, although Cephalonian artistry has a style for imitation. As it is influenced by the Francs and the Venetians, it is found all over the island in the form of castles, noble houses and picturesque settlements.