Tramontane usually refers to a northwest or merely north wind which is very common in the Mediterranean basin throughout the year. During summer it is a refreshing cooling wind. During winter it is a particularly cold wind. Its name is common in nearly every Mediterranean country. Its description varies from country to country, as well as from territory to territory. The name tramontane describes a wind coming from the north and suggests a wind descending from beyond the mountains. It can get violent, causing storms and bearing heavy rain and it is usually a sign of changing weather and of the transition of the seasons. In Greek maritime tradition tramontane is a northern wind much associated with the orientation of the ships, as well as the disorientation.
When it is not associated with the wind and weather, tramontane refers to anything foreign, anything different to the indigenous.
Curated by Alexios Papazacharias
Participating artists: