The Rise of St’hii: Thassos’ Supernatural Heritage
Local folklore in Thassos centers on “St’hii,” entities that Alatá describes as spirits, strange humanoid creatures, or animals. These stories were traditionally shared around stoves during long winters to educate children or discourage teenagers from secret meetings. While some St’hii are ghosts of people who died violently—such as Ianniós, a youth crushed by a rock while gathering ochre—others manifest as invisible presences or feelings.
The Thassos Creative Writing Group, including authors Olga Grozovskaya, Vasíleios Dóxas, Kalliópi Oikonomídi-Leontaráki, and Laskarína Diakoumí, codified these oral traditions in the book St’hii și Fantome din Thassos și alte povestiri. First published in the summer of 2025, with a revised edition in 2026, the work connects fictional supernatural elements with verified historical events, such as the operation of the island’s ochre mines and the discovery of a World War I plane wreck in the mountains.
Did you know? St’hii aren’t just ghosts. According to local accounts, they can appear as black dogs or even humans in disguise attempting to frighten villagers and steal from children.
Literary Mapping: Beyond the Tourist Brochure
Cross-Cultural Appeal and the Romanian Connection
The decision to translate the folklore of Thassos into Romanian stems from the high volume of Romanian tourists who visit the island annually. Luminița Kotsopoulou, the translator of the Romanian edition, noted that these Greek traditions mirror Romanian folklore regarding witches, healers, and unexplained phenomena.
The demand for this local history has exceeded expectations. Alatá reports that the Greek edition required three separate print runs due to immediate sell-outs, and the Romanian version is seeing similar demand from both tourists and Romanian residents of the island.
The Future of Experiential Folklore
In October 2025, the group collaborated with the Municipal Theatre Group for Adults and Adolescents to stage theatrical moments based on the book’s stories.
Future plans include the development of a second volume of St’hii stories and the potential for guided literary tours.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are St’hii?
They are supernatural entities in Thassos folklore that can appear as ghosts, humanoid creatures, animals (like black dogs), or invisible presences.
Yes. According to translator Luminița Kotsopoulou, both cultures share similar beliefs in magic, healers, and unexplained supernatural phenomena.