Feast of St. George

On the Saturday morning following April 23, 23 cannon shots announce the start of the festivities. On Sunday afternoon, an explosion of fireworks accompanies the moment when the statue of St. George leaves its namesake church and parades through the city. Some devotees carry the statue (depicting the warrior saint on the back of a horse as he slays the dragon) on their shoulders, which proceeds with a brisk gait, simulating the galloping of a horse, making St. George run. The running of the devotees is interrupted for fimmati, moments of pause when food is offered to the bearers. Throughout the procession there is a euphoric atmosphere. Late in the evening St. George re-enters the cathedral and even then the devotees will make St. George run.