Every year more of the ancient Carnival traditions are being revived in Greece.
Already, Carnival in the Greek city of Patras is among the top three carnival celebrations in the world, right after much more well-known events in New Orleans and Rio de Janeiro.
In Corfu and Rethymnon, Crete, Greek apokria celebrations have absorbed a slightly Venetian flavor from the periods when the islands were under Venetian control. Apokria , by the way, means the denial or goodbye to meat which is almost identical in meaning to Carnaval or Carneval. In Latin, carne = meat and vale = farewell.
In Thassos, travelers can still experience a non-commercial but very vibrant celebration, and there are dozens of others on other islands and on the Greek mainland.
Forget about “Fat Tuesday” but enjoy “Burnt Thursday”
“Burnt Thursday” or Tsiknopempti is celebrated eleven days before the beginning of Lent. The “burned” part refers to the meat grill, a big part of this day’s celebration. The weekend after “Burnt Thursday” will also have parties and other events; Technically, that Sunday is the last day allowed to eat meat and is sometimes called “Sunday to eat meat.” The best Greek restaurants will be packed this day, but the seafood places are a safe bet to have tables available!
Why are carnival dates different from carnival?
In Greece, Carnival dates are tied to Greek Orthodox Easter, which is generally different from Western Easter. Every few years, both calendars will match, so check to see if you want to attend both. Only the dates of the Greek Orthodox carnival are widely celebrated in Greece.
When should i go?
For the traveler to Greece, the liveliest holiday is the weekend before the end of the Carnival season. This is followed by Clean Monday or “Ash Monday”, a generally family-oriented day where, in Athens, picnics and kite flying prevail. “Clean Monday” is the last day of Carnival for Greeks. There is no “Fat Tuesday” in Greece: Burnt Thursday is its closest parallel.
Why are the Greeks so good at organizing carnival?
They made it up. Most of the carnival-related events are related to the ancient cult of the Greek god of wine and divine intoxication, Dionysus. Processions, costumes, and festivities stem from ancient ceremonies honoring him and other Greek gods and goddesses. Some people claim parts of the festival, including the carrying of model ships in processions, which date back to ancient rites in Egypt. Who knows. The idea of feasting before fasting is probably as old as civilization, but Carnival or Carneval, as a specific event is closely tied to Western Christian and Eastern Orthodox churches.
Important dates in the Greek carnival season
40 days before the start of Lent, Carnival begins on a Saturday night with the opening of the Triodion, a book containing three sacred odes. This is a religious moment not generally observed outside of the church itself, so don’t expect a sudden party to break out.
The Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays before “Clean Monday” generally offer wild celebrations, parades and traditional events where Carnival is celebrated. In the larger towns or cities known for Carnival, such as Rethymnon or Patras, the weekend before will also be full of activities.
The last Sunday of the Carnival period is known as “Cheese Eating Sunday” or Tyrofagos as no meat products are allowed at this time. Macaroni is often served on this day. Surprisingly, the word “macaroni” may not bet Italian at all. It could come from the Greek word macaria or “blessed,” actually the name. Macaria is a lesser Greek goddess of blessed death. It’s a sobering thought that makes you eat all that saturated fat. A special service for the dead is held in Orthodox churches on the Saturday before Sunday to eat cheese.
Part of the ritual is the making of grain dishes and it could be a survival of the ancient rites of Demeter, goddess of the harvest, but also of the cycle of life and death.
“Clean Monday” or Kathari Deftera, is the first day of Lent ( Sarakosti ). Although a festive atmosphere still prevails, the food consumed is all “pure”, without bloodshed. But this allows for cuttlefish and squid, fish roe, and other animal products. Lagana is a flatbread traditionally served on this day.
Plan your carnival visit to Greece
If you plan to visit Greece during the Carnival season, it is best to check with the specific community you plan to visit. Although the dates of religious celebrations will be the same throughout the country, some Carnival cities may have previous events and celebrations. Triodion marks the religious start of the season, but is generally a quiet church ceremony. Burned on Thursday, usually the beginning of what visitors would consider the true Carnival season is February 28, 2019.
The meat festivities and the fiesta continue throughout the weekend, from Friday March 1 to Sunday March 3. Thursday for cheese eating is March 7 and the main Carnival weekend runs from Friday March 8 to Sunday March 10. The big celebrations, parades and parties take place on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. “Clean Monday”, the last day of Carnival on March 11, 2019, is a family-oriented day for quiet celebrations at home. After more than a week of festivities and parties, it’s no wonder Greeks need Clean Monday to make the Lenten season easier for them.
Return to page one: Greek carnival traditions Do you want to know when carnival occurs in Greece? Here you are. Some Carnival cities may have events prior to the initial dates given. Triodion marks the religious start of the season, but is generally a quiet church ceremony. Burnt Thursday is usually the beginning of what visitors would consider the true Carnival season.
Greek Carnival Dates 2018
Triodion: Sunday, January 28
Tsiknopempti or “Burnt Thursday”: February 8
Tsiknopempti Weekend: Friday, February 9 – Sunday, February 11
Cheesefare Thursday: February 15
Main carnival weekend: Friday, February 16-Sunday, February 18
Clean Monday: February 19
Greek Carnival Dates 2017
Triodion: Sunday, February 5
Tsiknopempti or “Burnt Thursday”: February 16
Tsiknopempti Weekend: Friday, February 17 – Sunday, February 19
Cheesefare Thursday: February 23
Main carnival weekend: Friday, February 24-Sunday, February 26
Clean Monday: February 27
Greek Carnival Dates 2016
Triodion: Sunday, February 21
Tsiknopempti or “Burnt Thursday”: March 3
Tsiknopempti Weekend: Friday March 4 – Sunday March 6
Main carnival weekend: Friday, March 11 – Sunday, March 13
Clean Monday: March 14
Do you need to calculate another year? You can look up the dates individually in the calendar of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
Greek Carnival Dates, 2016-2023
2016 – Greek Orthodox Easter Sunday – May 1,
2017 – Greek Orthodox Easter Sunday – April 16 (same as Western Easter)
2018 – Greek Orthodox Easter Sunday – April 8
2019 – Greek Orthodox Easter Sunday – April 28
2020 – Greek Orthodox Easter Sunday – April 19
2021 – Greek Orthodox Easter Sunday – May 2,
2022 – Greek Orthodox Easter Sunday – April 24,
2023 – Greek Orthodox Easter Sunday – April 16
