From August 31 to September 6 in Agia of Larissa, as part of the Agiotikos Panigirio, the 28th Apple Festival is scheduled to take place.
This is the most important cultural, historical, religious and productive festival in the Agia region, as it honors the Patrons of the City, accompanied by a philharmonic orchestra and includes, among other things, a doxology and the laying of wreaths for the liberation of Agia from the Turks.
The seven-day cultural events aim both to preserve historical memory and to highlight the religious sentiment of the citizens and the historical tradition of Orthodoxy through cultural events.
At the same time, the events highlight apple production, which is intertwined with the agricultural identity of the region. At the Apple Festival, it is planned to present and promote the basic product of the apple and inform farmers about innovative cultivation methods.
The history of the apple in Agia
It is impressive that the Agia region accounts for approximately 20% of the apple production in Greece, which makes it an important apple production area in the country. Apple production in Agia began around 1950, with the first apples being the widely known firikia. Subsequently, apple producers in Agia began cultivating various varieties, such as delitsia and ren?des.
From 1980 onwards, farmers introduced apple varieties such as Imperial, Royal, Double Red, Wellspur, Red Chief, Starkimson, the yellow varieties Golden, Jona Golden, Smoothy and the green varieties of Granny Smith. In modern times, in addition to the red apple varieties, Starkrimson and Redchief, the summer variety Jesey Mac, the yellow apples Golden and Grany Smith are also widely cultivated.
In addition to its famous apples, the wider region also grows famous cherries, chestnuts, known as Melivoia chestnuts, and pears.
