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Carnival: origins of the world’s biggest party

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Carnival: origins of the world’s biggest party

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What is carnival: origins of the world’s biggest party

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Imagine one of the biggest street parties you've ever seen. It's a time when people of all ages can take a break from their everyday, dress up in full costume and dance in the street! This is carnival in Greece!

The word apokries literally means 'no more meat' (αποχή από κρέας - apo-kreas) and is the term that is used to describe carnival in Greece. Although today the period of apokries is associated with the Orthodox traditions of a three week preparation period before the 40 day lenten fast which precedes Easter, many traditions around Greece have their roots in ancient times. In Ancient Greece there were celebrations at this time of year to commemorate the end of winter and the coming of spring which were associated with the worship of Dionysos, the God of Wine and Feast.

Click HERE to watch a video that excellently explains the traditions and festivities of apokries.

2018 Dates of Carnvial Events in Athens

Triodion - Sunday, January 28th

Tsiknopempti or 'Burnt Thursday' - February 8th

Tsiknopempti Weekend - Friday, February 9th through Sunday, February 11th

Cheesefare Thursday - February 15th

Main Carnival Weekend - Friday, February 16th through Sunday, February 18th

The Patras Carnival is the largest event of its kind in Greece and one of the biggest in Europe. Giant decorated cars, carts and coaches, and colourful papier-mâché figures fill the city streets for a full weekend of street parades and parties. A key character is the Carnival King, presented in all his splendour. The carnival also has its Queen, who is actually a beautiful young lady on a floral or an artistic float. There is also a night parade, called "nyhteriní podaráti" (which means night walk), which takes place on Saturday night, before Sunday's extravagant parade. Thousands of carnival participants are organized into groups and dance holding torches in the dimly lit streets of the city. The only float allowed to participate in this parade is the King's.

If you find yourself in central Greece during carnival season, you should definitely experience the Tyrnavos Carnival; Tyrnavos is known as a "rebellious" little town in region of Thessaly just outisde the city of Larissa. Put on your costume and pick a team that you'd like to be part of (the "Next Top Model", "Surgeons and Sexy Nurses", or "Tri-Colour Macaroni, etc.) and get ready to party until your heart's content!

Head to Northeastern Greece, to the Xanthi Carnival to experience a spectacular carnival that is organized in association with over 40 cultural groups of the region. Each association sets up their stalls in the streets of the city to wine and dine the guests with plenty of local wine and delicacies. Be sure to look out for the custom of "To kápsimo tou Tzárou" (the burning of Tzaros) as well as for the highlight of carnival celebrations, the Great Carnival Parade on the evening of the final day of carnival. Floats with thousands of masked revellers fill the streets with music and colours to accompany the Carnival King.

If you enjoy carnival with a Venetian masquerade twist, then head to Crete for the Rethymno Carnival. For almost a whole month, the city is host to a series of fun-filled celebrations, bringing together locals and visitors alike who want to participate in carnival just simply because they love to live the moment! The Rethymno carnival parade is a spectacular production of pictures and sounds with a strong Venetian influence evident in the costumes, the carnival floats and the overall spirit of the carnival celebration.

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Carnival Traditions In Greece - XpatAthens.com

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Imagine one of the biggest street parties you've ever seen. It's a time when people of all ages can take a break from their everyday, dress up in full costume and dance in the street! This is carnival in Greece!

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Carnival (or "Carnevale") is one of the biggest celebrations in Italy - and from Venetian masks to masquerade balls, no place does it like Venice! Like the idea of seeing the city at its most festive and colorful? Here's a handy Q&A about Carnevale in Venice!

When is Venice's Carnevale?

Carnevale in Venice, as with Carnival around the world, takes place in the days leading up to Lent. In 2013, it runs from January 26 to February 12.

Where did the idea of Carnevale come from?

During the 40 days of Lent, parties were off-limits-and so was eating foods like meat, sugar, and fats. As a result, people would try to get rid of all of their rich food and drink (and get their partying out of the way!) before Lent. Hence... Carnival. (In fact, the word Carnevale may come from the Latin words carne and vale, meaning "farewell to meat"!). According to Venetian tradition, Venice's Carnival got its start in 1162, when townspeople celebrated a victory over the Patriarch of Aquileia. Festivities became The festival declined during the 18th century. By the 16th century, Venetians were celebrating Carnevale in style!

What about Venetian masks?

The tradition of masking has a long tradition in Venice. All the way back in 1268, a law even was passed to ban - of all things - putting on masks and throwing perfumed eggs!

By the time of the Renaissance, masks were a fixture of Carnevale celebrations. By the 16th century, the popular Commedia d'Arte troupe performed slapstick comedy in the piazzas of Venice-while masked. Believe it or not, though, masking was hardly just a Carnival tradition.

By the 18th century, Venetians were allowed to wear masks for six months a year. And they took advantage! Black velvet masks, for example, would be worn in "houses of ill repute"-especially gambling parlors-to shield their owners' identities, as shown in the painting here.

Don't miss our video on mask-making in Venice today, below!

So... you're saying Carnevale in Venice has been celebrated non-stop since the 13th century?

Not quite. By the 18th century, Venice's Carnevale festivities were going downhill. With the Austrian conquest of Venice in 1798, mask-wearing-as well as Carnevale-were all but finished. In the 1930s, Mussolini banned the celebrations altogether.

So what changed? In 1979, a group of Venetian artisans banned together to restart Carnevale. If that seems like a ploy for tourism, it was-and it was one that worked. Today, about 3 million people travel to Venice every year for Carnevale. The 1970s are also when the long-forgotten art of mask-making was restarted.

What is Venice's Carnevale like today?

Today, Carnevale in Venice is a huge celebration that goes on for two weeks. While many events-particularly the opulent masquerade balls-require invitations and have steep ticket prices, many others, like the candle-lit parade of boats, concerts, and street performances, are free and open to the public. (You can see a complete program for the 2013 Venetian Carnevale here).

Well, bummer. I'm not going to be in Venice during Carnevale. Can I get in on the fun anyway?

Of course-at least when it comes to those Venetian masks! Just be aware that the majority of mask shops in Venice sell cheap, imported masks, a far cry from the artisanal tradition that Venetian mask-making truly is. So do yourself, and the artisans of Venice, a favor, and choose your mask shop carefully. Need help? Here are some of our favorite mask shops in Venice (several of which even run mask-making workshops; check their websites for more!):

Benor Maschere Venezia (Santa Croce): Hidden behind Campo San Giacomo dell'Orio, this artisanal mask shop boasts a gorgeous collection, all made there in the workshop. Tel.: +39 041710033. Address: S. Croce 1109.

Ca' Macana (Dorsoduro): This Venetian mask shop, located just off Camp San Barnaba, has an unparalleled selection of Carnevale masks; better yet, they're handcrafted in the workshop right there, and you can watch them being made. Tel.: +39 0412776142. Address: Dorsoduro 3172. Ca' del Sol Maschere (San Marco): Artisans handcraft the Venetian masks at this shop a 5-minute walk from St. Mark's Basilica; exquisite Carnevale costumes are on sale here, too. Tel.: +39 0415285549. Address: Castello 4964.

Il Canovaccio (Castello): The artisans here create Venetian masks and papier-mâché objects meant for the stage. Tel.: +39 0415210393. Address: Castello 5369.

Happy Carnevale!

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All About Carnival in Venice: Venetian Masks and More! - Walks of Italy

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Carnival (or "Carnevale") is one of the biggest celebrations in Italy - and from Venetian masks to masquerade balls, no place does it like Venice! Like the idea of seeing the city at its most festive and colorful? Here's a handy Q&A about Carnevale in Venice!

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Carnival is a entertaining and exciting festival that occurs every year between February and March. Probably the most well known symbol of Carnival is the Carnival mask. These extravagant masks can be made at home with only a few easy to...