Carnaval

Ancient traditions are what shape and define the Greek culture, even today. At present, the people are celebrating Carnaval season, (also happening in South America) which occurs during the four weeks that lead up to the start of lent. The word actually comes from the latin "carne vale", which means saying goodbye to meat before fasting. Last Thursday, they celebrated Tsiknopempti here, which literally means "Smell of cooking meat - Thursday"....and it really was! I went outside and could smell steak and lamb cooking all around the city. I even saw a man roasting an entire lamb at 9 o'clock in the morning, which was apparently in preparation for all the yiayias and pappous (grandmas and grandpas) who would want their Tsiknopempti feast early in the day.

The Carnaval celebration is a really fun period all over Greece, packed with crazy costumes and customs. It's like a month-long Halloween, except not quite as freaky! It also creates a sense of community across the city, lifting the morale after the January frost. Walking through the centre last weekend was brilliant; the tavernas were full, and it was just wonderful to know that everyone was out for the same reason...even though the reason was just to eat meat!

Two days before lent, or Clean Monday as they call it here, marks the end of Carnaval. This is the biggest celebration, and there are certain areas in Greece that really go to town. One particular region is Larissa, an area north of Athens and home to a village called Tyrnavos. The festivities that take place in Tyrnavos are based around themes such as the arrival of spring, fertility, and new life. While we might interpret that as new chicks and ducklings, they use the phallic symbol. Consequently, the fame of the village is accredited to its many phallic parades and costumes!

I'm hoping to get some great shots of Clean Monday Carnaval next week, but for now, here are some snaps taken around the various suburbs of Athens that I've visited...