Tinos is known across Greece to be the "island of Faith and the Arts". The icon of Panagia Evangelistria (Our Lady of Annunciation) draws thousands of visitors every year, as the island is a major pilgrimage of Hellenism for honouring the Holy Mother. Tinian art has been greatly affected by christian faith and the ecclesiastical tradition. Tinos has traditionally been a major marble sculpting centre in Greece. A multitude of anonymous masters, mainly marble workers, as well as builders, woodcarvers, sacred icon painters and others, have left their mark on the chapels, houses and dovecotes. The flourishing of marble sculpting bore masters such as Halepas, Philippotis, Vitalis and Sohos, painters such as Gyzis, Lytras and many other important artists. It is therefore no wonder that Tinos is considered to be the cradle of contemporary Greek Art. There are numerous museums and art galleries on the island, including the Icon and Heirloom Gallery, the Tinian Artists Museum, the Marble Crafts Museum and the Yiannoulis Halepas Museum. There is also the Archaeological Museum of Tinos with exhibits from the Temple at Poseidon in Kionia and the rest of the island's archaeological sites. Tinos is also home to the performing arts, as every summer the island offers great of events, as part of the Tinos Music Festival. |
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