Every October the village of Kastanitsa, Arcadia, organizes the famous Chestnut Festival, which aims to bring out this product, with its great nutritional value and multiple commercial capabilities.The custom of celebrating the chestnut began in 1983 and has been taking place every year since then. The celebrations include, of course, the preparation and tasting of dishes based on the chestnut, and also traditional dancing, various exhibitions and informative talks regarding the chestnut, as well as a variety of topics of environmental nature. Those who are in the area in October must definitely make a stopover in Kastanitsa to experience the unique Chestnut Festival.
The Naturalist Association of the Natives of Kastanitsa, in collaboration with the Management Body of Mount Parnon and Moustos Wetland, organize the famous Chestnut Festival, with the aim to highlight the importance of this beloved crop in the agricultural and financial development of the wider area and also to promote this beautiful Tsakonian village, inviting more people to visit it.
The Chestnut Festival was organized for the first time in 1983 by the Kastanitsa Association and has been taking place every year since then. The visitors have the opportunity to taste traditional, mainly chestnut-based dishes and desserts – prepared both by professional chefs and the village’s women – accompanied by drinks and traditional music. There are also cooking and confectionery contests, again based on the chestnut, and also traditional dancing and various exhibitions, such as painting and photography.
The Festival is also a great opportunity for the visitors to get to know mount Parnon and its ecosystem better, through informative talks and excursions; they will also get to know the wider area of Tsakonia, with its special customs. It has been estimated that during the Chestnut Festival thousands of visitors flock to the area, providing a significant financial boost.
Source: www.mythicalpeloponnese.gr