Ouzo Fest 2017: Lesvos’ Famed Drink Wins Over the Crowds

The 5th Ouzo Fest, an annual event dedicated to the world-renowned anise-flavored Greek spirit, recently took place on the island of Lesvos and attracted a large crowd including tourists and island locals.

Organized by the Lesvos Association of Distillers, the ouzo festival took place this year on July 14-15 in the area of Ladadika in Mytilini town and on July 22 at the marina in the town of Plomari.

During the festival, the restaurants, taverns and coffee shops of both towns treated visitors to ouzo and a variety of “mezedes” (Greek appetizers) while Greek traditional music played in the background, inviting all to let loose and dance in the streets.

The festival included ouzo tasting events and guests were given the opportunity to sample the spirit from the eight participating distilleries (Matarellis, Yiannatsis, EPOM, LEVA, Barbayiannis, EBA, Spentza, Plomariou Isidorou Arvanitou) and get to know the secrets of the beverage that has been identified with Greece, and especially with the island and the culture of Lesvos.

The 5th Ouzo Fest was accompanied by a series of traditional and modern music events. Among the highlights was the performance by Greek traditional music singer Solon Lekkas, a native of Lesvos.

According to the Lesvos Association of Distillers, more than 2,500 people took part in the ouzo tasting events, while many more attended the festival.

“We aim for the Ouzo Fest to be a quality festival in which visitors will come to know not only ouzo but also the island’s tradition that is associated with it,” the association said.