6th Start of the Sponge Divers

The “Departure of the Sponge Divers” is a custom with deep roots in the history of Chalki. It marks the start of the sponge divers’ annual expedition to the coasts of North Africa in search of the precious sponge. For the people of Chalki, it was a poignant moment filled with the sadness of farewell, prayer, and hope for a safe return with a bountiful “harvest.” Sponge diving, particularly in Kalymnos, Symi, and Chalki, sustained entire economies, shaped maritime professions and migration, and gave rise to songs, customs, and collective memory, making the sea the central axis of life.

Since 2021, the Municipality of Chalki has been organizing the revival of this tradition with commemorative events, musical evenings, and folk culture performances, highlighting the rich heritage and resilience of the islanders, while also giving due emphasis to the historical and social significance that sponge diving held for the islands of the region.

For the sixth consecutive year, the Municipality of Chalki is honoring the island’s rich maritime and diving heritage, as well as its close ties with neighboring islands, particularly Kalymnos. On Saturday, April 18, 2026, the festival kicks off with music, food, and dancing by the following associations: the Association of Chalkis Residents of Rhodes “Agios Ioannis,” the Cultural Association of Chalkis “To Myrtos,” and “Chorogenesis” of Kalymnos, led by Froso and Maria Troumouliari. On Sunday, April 19, 2026, a theatrical performance will depict the life and emotions of the sponge divers—the “coming and going”—featuring children from Kalymnos and Chalki. The large turnout from Kalymnos is particularly moving, with the presence of Anna Tsoulfa, president of the Association of Women Divers “The Daughter of Kalymnos,” and members of the Association, the event’s narrator Yannis Nomikarios, and of course Yannis Karamalis, one of the driving forces behind the revival of the custom.