The ultimate celebration of the Carnival season in Greece

The Greek Carnival season, known as “Apokries” is associated with the three week period of festivities before the great fasting of Lent begins. During Lent, called “Sarakosti”, which lasts 40 days, people abstain from eating meat. No feasting, fairs, and not even weddings take place during this time. Carnival therefore, is the pleasant parenthesis between the twelve days (of Christmas) and the Holy Lent.

The Carnival period lasts three weeks and is called “Triode”.

The first week is called the “Profoni” which means “to announce”. In the old days they announced that Carnival was starting so that each family made sure they had enough meat and other food supplies to enjoy this event. An old proverb invites even the poor to find the necessary money, by “selling the jacket off their backs, if needed” so that they too can spend the holidays happily.

This week is also called “Amoliti” because the souls of the dead are released and go to the upper world.

The second week is called “Kreatini” because it is the last week people can eat meat. Thursday of that week, called “Tsiknopempti” is especially festive. Everywhere in Greece people roast meat (ideally on grills or spits) and the smell of the charred meat fills the neighborhoods.

In contrast to Thursday, which is a day of special joy, the Saturday of the “Kreatini” week, as well as the two following Saturdays are dedicated to the memory of the dead. It is customary on these Saturdays, called “Psychosavato” for relatives to visit the graves of their deceased.

Finally, the third week is called “Tyrini”, during which they are only allowed to eat dairy products, mainly cheese and macaroni.

The main feature of Carnival is the Masquerades. The most common types of costumes are the bride and groom with their entourage. Various animals such as the camel and the bear are also common and as well as various satirical disguises which are remnants of ancient times. Many of these costumes are inspired by the customs and traditions of each region of Greece. In some villages people gather in the main square and give performances on stage with various themes. In the larger cities, people watch the “Carnival” parades of disguised people that take place in the main streets. One well-known Carnival is that of the city of Patras with extravagant parades of giant colorful floats.

Carnival season culminates on the last Sunday of the “Tyrini” week. The feast and drinking lasts almost the whole day with the usual dish of pasta in the evening.

In many parts of Greece the night ends with the custom of the “egg”. They hang an egg over the table from the ceiling and shake it in such a way that it circles around the diners who in turn, try to catch it with their mouths. It is customary at this time to recite “ with an egg we close our mouths during Lent and with an egg we open it again on Easter”.

The following day, “Clean (or Ash) Monday”, marks the last day of Carnival and the first day of Holy Lent. People all around the country usually have picnics outdoors eating the usual “lenten” meal, and children fly kites if weather permits. Fasting and the mental preparation of our souls for Easter begins.