Carnival 2023
THE CARNIVAL’S ORIGINS
To begin with, today the carnival is a Western
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| carnival in Rome in 1650(wikipedia) |
Christian festive celebration that typically occurs just before
the liturgical season of Lent and lasts for a couple of weeks.
The main events typically take place during February or early
March, which is historically known as the Shrovetide period.
Furthermore, carnivals usually involve public celebrations,
including events such as parades, public street parties and
other entertainments, combining some elements of a circus.
Its origins remain unknown, but the one thing we are sure of is
that Carnival pagan origins started long before the emergence
of Christianity as it was a celebration that featured prominently
in many pagan cultures’ calendars.
To be more specific, in ancient times long before the
emergence of Christianity, people whom we call pagans today
held wild celebrations centered around the winter and spring
solstices, and spring and fall equinoxes. These wild
celebrations were the ones that people were reluctant to give
up, even after they became Christians.
Lina Kanaki
Source: Wikipedia
CARNIVALS ALL OVER GREECE
1). Patra's carnival is the biggest carnival in Greece, and it takes place in Patra, which is located in southern Greece.
It is an annual celebration and its events begin on January 17 up Clean Monday. 2).On the enchanting island of Naxos, next to the majestic temple of Apollo, a dreamlike journey into the past takes place every year, during the carnival season. With a rich history of 2,500 years, a 'secret' carnival makes its appearance, reviving with fun special traditions of the Ancient Greeks. Naxos is intertwined with the Gods of the Ancient Greeks, Dionysus and Apollo, keeping
In the carnival of Naxos, the Satyrs, the Seilins and the Maenads take a fascinating journey through history and Cycladic culture, organizing ceremonies similar to ancient initiation rites dedicated to Dionysus.
In honor of Apollo, the sacred flame of torches illuminates the sky of
the island, while crimson wine is offered to the Olympian god of wine.
At the same time, primordial dances, chants and musical songs of the past lure the inhabitants and visitors of the island into the atmosphere of another era.
On the beach of Naxos, fantastic events take place every year, with theatrical reenactments of Dionysian myths and ancient Greek holidays.
The Rapture of Dionysus, the Sacred Marriage of Dionysus and Ariadne, the Methydotia and the Pithoiia are some of them!
The Dionysian Carnival in Naxos is also transferred to the villages of the island, where ancient Dionysian customs are a source of inspiration for various festive events.
Characteristic examples are the ''Slaughterhouses'' and ''Koundunatoi'', which welcome spring and exorcise evil spirits with their deafening noise!
On the evening of the last Saturday of the carnival, a crowd of torchbearers flood the narrow streets of the island, parading to the beach and the central square of Naxos and creating a unique atmosphere.
Αναστασία Γκόγκου
source: https://www.travelstyle.gr/dionisiako-karnavali-naksou-ena-mystiko-karnavali-2500-xronwn/ https://nikosefstratiou.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/naxos-carnival-025.jpg
3).Xanthi organizes the largest Carnival in Northern Greece and the second largest in all of Greece, after the Carnival of Patras. It is one of the most famous in Greece and in the Balkans. Every year during the Triodium period dozens of events are organized for the young and old. The Carnival in Xanthi has to show a series of events around music, dance and theater, exhibitions with visual or other content, lectures, book presentations and film screenings as well as many options for entertainment.
4).Rethymno enthusiastically organizes the Carnival once again and heads
into the party mood. The Carnival celebrations are back in Rethymno, from
January until February 26, 2023.
There are many ways in which locals and visitors alike can celebrate the
famous Cretan carnival this year.
The Rethymno Carnival looks promising as it is one of the biggest
cultural winter events in Rethymno and throughout Crete. Everyone is eager
and waiting to join this yeαr's festivities, after a three-year absence. The
main Carnival parade will take place on Sunday, February 26, 2023.
Guests can also better enjoy all the food and cocktail options with many
parties organized throughout Rethymno. Many of the city's taverns and
restaurants serve carnival-inspired culinary offerings. Guests will be able to
feast on live music and festive fanfare from costumed performers bringing
the Carnival 2023 celebration to life.
The Carnival Committee invites the people of Rethymno and all carnival
lovers from all over the world to enjoy its comeback. The carnival - which is
one of the largest in the country and the largest in Crete - traditionally
attracts Greek and foreign visitors, who go so far as to declare participation
in carnival groups.
This year, however, what is happening is unprecedented, as high rates
of bookings are already recorded, mainly for the last four days, for visitors
from, among others, the rest of Greece, Cyprus, France, England, the
Netherlands, the Scandinavian countries, America.
source: https://www.cretapost.gr/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/1480383-karnavali_930.jpg
Άννα Συντούδη
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Thank you 🙏
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