The Kathara Panighir holds a special place in Ithacans hearts. In the old days, people would make their way up by foot for this festival. They would stay overnight in the Monastery to celebrate the religious festival the next day. The party prior to the Panighir became an event that is still celebrated today. People don't stay in the Monastery anymore, everyone has a car, but still the atmosphere remains as it was back in the day, a traditional community get together. This year the Kathara Festival had a 'live' band, usually there's just a cassette player/cd player/dj, but this year, 'live music' echoed through the highlands of Ithaki and made the 2012 Panighiri even more special, as was evident in the the line of cars parked all the way down the road near the first bend toward the monastery.