With all solemnity and with due pomp is expected to be celebrated in Kythera the 162nd Anniversary of the Union of the Ionian Islands with Mother Greece. The festivities will culminate on Thursday 21 May 2026, while the island will welcome senior government and institutional representatives, as well as a navy warship.

According to the official programme of the Municipality, the festive weekend (20 and 21 May) will be marked by a general flag-raising and lighting of all public and municipal buildings, banks and houses on the island..

The Programme of Events (Thursday 21 May)

The main events will take place in Kythera Town according to the following schedule:

11:30 a.m. - Formal Doxology: It will be celebrated at the Metropolitan Church of the Crucifixion in Chora, presided over by His Eminence, Metropolitan of Kythera and Antikythera, Mr. Seraphim.
11:45 am. - Memorial Service: There will be a prayer service at Stai Square.
Laying of Wreaths: It will take place at the Memorial of the Fallen in Stai Square. Among the persons who will lay a wreath are:
- The Secretary General for Shipping and Ports Mr. Evangelos Kyriazopoulos, as representative of the President of the Government.
- The Member of Parliament of Piraeus and Islands Mr. Nikolaos Vlachakos, as representative of the President of the Hellenic Parliament.
- The Mayor of Kythira, Mr. Efstratios Harhalakiς.
- The Chairman of the Domestic Property Committee, Mr. Evangelos Venardos.
- The Municipal Councillor and head of the faction «ALL TOGETHER» Mr. Zacharias Souris.
- Representatives of the armed forces, the security forces, the Union of Ionian Greeks, as well as the high school student Maria-Nikoletta Pavlaki as a representative of the schools.
- After the observance of a minute of silence and the playing of the National Anthem, the solemn speech of the day will be delivered by the philologist of the Kythera High School, Ms. Yianna Dikaiou. The events will be completed with dance classes from the student youth and the great Parade of Student and Military Departments.

In Kapsali the «DEGIANNIS» TPC - Open for the Public

The presence of the Navy sets a special tone in this year's celebration. Η Tachea Patrol Missile (TPC) «DEGIANNIS» will be sailing in the port of Kapsali during the weekend of 20 and 21 May.

Visiting room: The public will have the opportunity to visit the warship on Wednesday 20 May 2026, from 18:00 to 20:00 p.m..

The duties of Master of Ceremonies of the events have been assigned to Ms. Polyxeni Alexidou, Head of the Municipality of Kythera. The music for the celebrations will be provided, as always, by Potamos Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Mr. Panagiotis Leftheris.

Finally, the Kythera Police Department will be on standby to take the necessary traffic and orderly measures in Chora..