Carnival in Thrace

DIDYMOTICHO

The main event is the revival of the "BEY" satirical custom, a feature that also has its origins in the worship of Dionysus.
The BEY, is a mature man with a moustache, dressed in furs, with his face reddened. He wears a wealth of jewelry, a black fez and boots, and is equipped with a staff, pistols and a nargileh (hookah waterpipe).
The purpose of the performance was to satirise the Turkish occupation and the poverty of that period.
The town crier leads the procession and he is followed by the BEY's guards; then comes the BEY himself, his courtiers and farmers, who are engaged in various agricultural tasks of that period.
All participants wear costumes of earlier times, occasionally with some improvisations.
When the BEY's tour is over, there is a performance by the farmers representing local traditional events such as ploughing, harvesting etc.
This is followed by the donkey race and the Roman wrestling competition, at the Mesochori village. When all competitions are finished, the BEY's courtiers, together with village people, meet at the tavernas, to drink, eat and dance to the tune of traditional regional music.
Municipality of Didymoticho: Tel.: 25530 22236, 25530 22005

KOMOTINI

A three-days carnival party, takes place in Komotini. This party ends on Ash Monday when the Municipality of Komotini offers traditional food such as hot bean soup, olives, lagana (unleavened bread) and halva.
During the three days preceding Ash Monday, all citizens live in the spirit of the Carnival. They also participate in a competition for the best carnival group.
Municipality of Komotini: Tel. : 25310 31022, 25310 34049, 25310 22671

XANTHI

In Xanthi, during carnival, people celebrate the revival of the old custom of Tzaros or Tzarous (female). According to local tradition, Tzaros or Tzarous was a human effigy, placed on top of a pile of holm-oak brush-wood. On the last Sunday of carnival, it was burnt in the open, in a square or on a hill, so that they would not have fleas during summer. This custom was brought by refugees from Samakov in Eastern Thrace and is re-enacted each year by the inhabitants of Samakov village, near the bridge over the River Kosynthos at Xanthi. The word "Tzaros" comes from the particular noise of burning wood (the sizzling sound).
Immediately afterwards a phantasmagoric fireworks demonstration follows.
Municipal Development Enterprise, Xanthi: Tel.: 25410 73640, 25410 22632