Kastoria Ragoutsaria Carnival

It takes place from January 1st, culminating in the 3-day period from January 6th to 8th every year. The tradition goes back to pagan times. One is surprised to hear that it is exactly during the same period that "Dionysia" festivities used to take place in ancient Greece. The etymology of the word is Latin, from the verb "rogo"=ask for, demand, a tell-tale term of what it was initially all about: people taking part in the festivities, dancing and singing, going around the city and the villages and knocking at the doors to ask for wine, food and money to consume during the last night of the carnival. They are always accompanied by local folk artists with their brass instruments playing Balkan music (Emir Kosturitsa's "Underground" can give you a idea!).

In the meantime, people had more and more of food, drinks and money and the real fun could last for 3 days; on the other hand more and more of the people came out of their homes and participated in the festivities. Nowadays, people from all over Greece and abroad gather in Kastoria to participate. They are offered food and wine and reservations to Kastoria hotels should be made well in advance.

The last day the events climax with the big parade of crowds, called "bouloukia", in Omonia Square. The 'bouloukia' parade ends in Doltso square, where a big feast takes place.
(Photos: Michael Tziotis)

Kastoria Ragoutsaria Carnival The musicians are having fun as well!	Kastoria Ragoutsaria Carnival Silent photos are half-witnesss. A good part of the Dionysiac 'kefi' is due to the sometimes deafening music!
Kastoria Ragoutsaria Carnival In this, as well as in a number of the following photos, the decorated city for the Christmass celebration is a joyous background to the Ragoutsaria festivities.	Kastoria Ragoutsaria Carnival First things first: before opening the suitcase, full with money for the music players, a candle is lit and people make their cross
Kastoria Ragoutsaria Carnival One of the most important moments for the musicians: advance payment! No, the musicians are not paid in euros, the are traditionally paid in US dollars, out of a big suitcase which has just been opened!	Kastoria Ragoutsaria Carnival The musicians will continue to receive payments from individual participants, but advance payment is of crucial importance for the musicians' good psychology throughout the night!
Kastoria Ragoutsaria Carnival Wherever there is some open space, circular traditional dances are started; here we have a small one behind the white van.	Kastoria Ragoutsaria Carnival More and more people join the dance.
Kastoria Ragoutsaria Carnival Further up, at the Central Square	Kastoria Ragoutsaria Carnival Participants following the musicians
Kastoria Ragoutsaria Carnival First dancers on the square	Kastoria Ragoutsaria Carnival One can only imagine the deafening sound of the brass instruments; people have to shout into each other's ear if they wish to be heard.
Kastoria Ragoutsaria Carnival Two happy participants!	Kastoria Ragoutsaria Carnival The cold is biting but the spirits go high! In the background the sign of the Post-Byzantine Church of Aghios Ioannis Prodromos shines in the dark
Kastoria Ragoutsaria Carnival People and musicians elbowing their way through the mass of spectators.	Kastoria Ragoutsaria Carnival According to the tradition, one gets to a 'nirvana' state if the instruments blow directly in one's ears!
Kastoria Ragoutsaria Carnival	Kastoria Ragoutsaria Carnival The Cristmas tree on the square is a witness of the Ragoutsaria carnival to the very end.
Kastoria Ragoutsaria Carnival Happy faces everywhere!	Kastoria Ragoutsaria Carnival No, it is not water what the guy in the foreground is drinking out of a water bottle; check the color!
Kastoria Ragoutsaria Carnival Parade under a rain of glittering lights	Kastoria Ragoutsaria Carnival You sure wish to have been here!
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