Miaoulis 2004Admiral Miaoulis is a favourite hero of Hydra. He was instrumental in the defeat of the Turkish navy when Greece won its independence in the last century. A week long celebration culminating in a massive firework display is held to mark his birth date and to honour one of Hydra's greatest leaders as well as to celebrate Greece's independence from the Ottoman Empire.

Generally the week includes dancing at various squares of Hydra and Kamini, various events and exhibitions around the island, with the fireworks on the Saturday evening and the final memorial service on the Sunday.

Miaoulis NightYou are well advised to book in advance as this is the busiest time of the summer for Hydra with most places to stay on the island for the weeks either side of the firework weekend being fully booked. Similarly you should book your dolphin, cat or catamaran tickets because in addition the island gets a huge number of Athenians and people from the neighbouring islands arriving just for the weekend party! The island gets packed.

The key date in the celebration is the 24th June - this was Admiral Miaoulis's birth date. The municipality aim for the fireworks to be held on the Saturday closest to the 24th. So if the 24th happens to be a Thursday, then they hold the fireworks on Sat 26th. Generally the Mayor aims for the last Saturday in June but as you will realise the actual dates change each year so it is worth checking our What's On Calendar for the announcement of the actual date before you book as it would be a shame to arrive for the wrong weekend.

Circling boatsTowards the end of the week the island really starts to fill up and just outside the harbour (because they're too big to fit in) quite a few large navy frigates take up position.

There are posters all over the town telling people about the different events each day that you can watch and take part in.

The Saturday night is without doubt one of the best events hosted by Hydra.

The areas around the harbour start to fill from 6:30 onwards, with tables at restaurants with prime viewing space booked weeks in advance. You even have to reserve seats at the bars as well in quite a few places. I've spent Miaoulis in a number of different places over the years and each location I've chosen has had it good and bad points. By the time the celebration starts there isn't a square meter of space left along either side of the harbour and even the caiques are filled with people who leave the harbour to watch from off shore.

Hydriot boarding party 2005Just before the sun goes down at around 9ish, the celebration starts.

The whole point of the evening is the re-enactment of the destruction of the Turkish mother ship, but these days especially with a better relationship between Turkey and Greece there is less emphasis on the blood-curdling element.

A mock up boat representing the Turkish mother ship sails round from Mandraki into the mouth of the main harbour. The water taxi's, caiques and numerous small boats all rush out from the inner harbour to meet it and then circle it menacingly.

Blowing up the Turkish flag shipAs darkness settles and after the welcome speech from the Mayor, a small band of Hydriot's in traditional dress, walk round the harbour and board a small boat. Then with all the lights of the town and harbour switched off, they stealthily make their way to the Turkish ship. Their task to blow it up as noisily as possible but to make a quick getaway so they don't get blown up at the same time - there are usually anxious moments because of course it never seems to work first time. In fact it has been known for the navy to have to speed in and lob a couple of grenades before now!

Street partyThe cannons round the port roar out as the Turkish ship explodes and this is the signal for what has to be the most extravagant display of fireworks held in this part of the world. The display lasts between 30 and 45 mins. The whole event is accompanied by very stirring classical music played very loudly. It's a very exciting and moving evening, well worth the crush.

After the fireworks there is a street party and the municipality lays on food and refreshments for anyone who wants to have some while they watch the musicians and dancers. And of course the restaurants serve very late into the early hours of the morning for those who don't want to eat before hand.

Sunday paradeThese days the emphasis of the celebration centres on a more peaceful theme: learning to live together and learning to forgive. Hydra Mayor has worked particularly hard to foster a good relationship with his counterpart in Turkey and it just wouldn't be the done thing to play up the annihilation of the Turkish fleet as it used to be some years ago!

On the Sunday morning at around 10:00, there are processions and parades in full costume and uniforms focusing particularly on the area in front of the Merchant Seamen College. Here wreaths are laid at the statue of Miaoulis by the mayor and those who lost their lives during the Greek War of Independence are remembered. And those frigates - well they make a lot of noise firing off salutes to round up this great annual event in Hydra's calendar.

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