About Kalami
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- Published on Tuesday, 12 July 2011 10:36
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In the northeastern Corfu, there is a scenic horseshoe-shaped bay, which captures every visitor under its spell. In Greek language, Kalami means reed and the name is given to this seaside village because of the reeds in the centre of the beach in front of the houses.
Kalami is a traditional fishing village, which combines the scenery of the countryside amongst the mountains with lush of greenery and the crystal waters of Ionian Sea.
Kalami is characterized by two coves, Kouloura and Cavo Kefali.
In the past, Kalami was a thinly populated village with a police station and an olive press. Fishing was a way of families’ living, but the main income for the locals was the sale of the olive oil. The people were collecting the olives one by one and they carried them with a horse or a donkey to the olive press. A very difficult and hard work.
In the one side of Kalami beach, there was a small pier, which is still preserved, for the taxi boats to Corfu Town. The boats were the only transport for the village people to go to Corfu Town and sell the olive oil.
Kalami started to be well known when the famous, Nobel Prize nominated writer, Lawrence Durrell found this beautiful bay as the perfect spot to concentrate on his writing. He built the White House on a promontory on the side of Cavo Kefali, just a few steps from the sea. His inspiration led him to write the best seller Prospero’s Cell and guided the readers to discover Kalami. Durrell lived here between the years 1936 – 1939. When World War II started, he left Corfu.
In 1970 Corfu met the tourist development initially with the Club Meditteranee in Dassia, which welcomed French tourists. In 1974, a kafeneion (traditional local café) opened on the ground floor of the White House in Kalami. Trekkers or boats with French tourists were stopping at the kafeneion for a drink. Then tourists from other countries started to visit Corfu spending their holidays in some of the most attractive resorts of the island. The village people were letting some rooms, which were available in their houses, as their children had left the village, living in Corfu Town for work or education.
In 1977 the tourist demands were becoming more and more. Kassiopi was a big attraction with a satisfactory capability in accommodation, just 7km from Kalami village. More and more tourists from Kassiopi and neighbouring resorts were visiting Kalami discovering its unique beauty as a quiet unspoiled village.
My family owned a small house on the beach, which was used before the war for housing the Albanian workers for the gathering of the olives.
In 1980, the family decided to renovate the small house to a snack bar. In 1985 the little snack bar turned into the taverna Kalami Beach offering home cooked Corfiot and Greek food.
Corfu was already a popular tourist destination and the locals were occupied in tourist businesses for a qualified way of living. It is preferable for someone to work in a taverna, bar, travel office, hotel, apartments or club, socializing with happy people who are enjoying their holiday, as opposed to working hard for the collection of the olives.
The explosive tourist development turned the little fishing village of Kalami to one of the most popular resorts of Corfu with a dynamic of 1500 beds, three tavernas, three mini markets, three bars, three travel offices and 2 tourist shops. Kalami is still the charming bay with the shingle beach and the clear cobalt-blue sea. Ideal for swimming , the beach is awarded with the blue flag.
This is Kalami, my village, where I was born. I live, I work and I have the privilege to meet people from different cultures, making friends every year. Even though Kalami has changed, it is still an unspoiled village. Each one of us, the people who work in Kalami, has the care, the love and the respect for what we do, as we cannot forget from where we started.
The visitors who come year after year prove that Kalami is a unique paradise. Kalami promises unforgettable, relaxing holidays in Corfu.
We are looking forward to seeing you in Kalami!
Nikos Katsaros
Kalami Events
Varcarola
Every year, Kalami hosts the traditional festival on the sea which is growing more spectacular every year.
Varcarola is translated as “serenade under the moonlight” and for the romantics, this is a night you will never forget.
The source of the Varcarola originates from the Corfiots’ passion of music and singing. The hard working men would show their feelings and emotions through their songs. They would sing about their love for Corfu, the sea, their hard daily life and their longing for romance. This festival continues every year, only, because of the dedication from the locals, who wish to protect their heritage and traditions.
Small fishing boats slowly sail through the sea, which is illuminated by floating candles and lights up the bay of Kalami. A larger boat appears like a ghost in the night, with the local choral group singing the traditional love songs called “cantades” and are accompanied by musicians.
This is the most amazing evening throughout the entire summer. You can enjoy your evening meal in Kalami Beach Taverna, which is situated on the beach. The local choir will serenade you, whilst you watch a spectacular show on the sea, with a finale of multi-coloured firework, which adorn the night.
Visit Kalami and enjoy this traditional romantic night!
