2. The Patras Carnival,in greek called:
Patrino karnavali is the largest event of its
kind in Greece and one of the biggest and
most glamorous worldwide.
It has more than 180 years of history.
The events begin on 17th January and last
up to Clean Monday.
The carnival of Patras is not a single
event but a variety of events including
balls, parades,the hidden treasure hunt
and the children's carnival.
3. It climaxes in the last weekend
of Carnival with the Saturday
evening parade of carnival
groups, the extravagant Sunday
parade of floats and groups, and
finally the ritual burning of the
carnival king at Agiou Nikolaou
Street in the port of Patras.
4.
5. The soul of the carnival are the tens of
thousands of carnivalists, from Patras,
visitors and friends of the Patras Carnival,
people of every age group who participate
in the carnival events.
The official events and the hundreds of
unofficial events such as carnival balls,
masqued balls and parties at homes, in
neighbourhoods, clubs, cafés
and restaurants.
6. A large part of the organisation is undertaken by
the Municipality of Patras through the Municipal
Organisation for Cultural Development of Patras which
supervises the carnival workshop. There is a unique
space in Greece in which the giant floats of the carnival
King and his entourage are built along with other
structures that decorate the town during the duration of
the carnival season.
7.
8. The Carnival of Patras starts on the day of
St. Anthony (17 January). A town crier
appears on the streets of Patras in recent
years this has been a specially constructed
float with music.
9. A spectacular take on the traditional
baby rally which was first organised in
1968 by the Naturalist Association of
Patras, the Children's Carnival is an
event that is exclusive in Patras
carnival.
10.
11. This is called the "Nihterini Podarati"
[Night Parade on foot). Every group is free
to join. Night, bright lights, an
overwhelming stream of people, colours
and high spirits combine to create a
spectacular scene.
12. An extension of the traditional festivities
based around the burning of the float of
the Carnival King, with concerts, dances,
a farewell to the carnival past,
announcements about the carnival to
come and countless fireworks. It takes
place at the port on Sunday night and is
also broadcast on TV.
13. Here are some characteristic
photos from Patras carnival
