Maria Garefalaki and Maria Ploumaki, social workers, will develop the issue of “Depression in the elderly”. The lecture is planned on 7th of February in 2018, 11:00, at the office of the former township of Gouves.

(In Greek, without translation)

The Club of Chefs of Crete is organizing a festive event to welcome the New Year and celebrate the custom “Cutting the New Year’s Cake (Vassilopita)” in their premises in Heraklion (Ikarou, 75) on Wednesday, 7th February 2018, at 16:00.

The Choir of Malia is organizing a cantata around the narrow streets of the old village in Malia, on Wednesday February 7th 2018, at 17:30. The walk will start from the City Hall (25th Martiou str, 17).

The Cultural Assotiation of Chersonissos is organizing a festive event to welcome the New Year and celebrate the custom “Cutting the New Year’s Cake (Vassilopita)” in the premises of Areston restaurant in Chersonissos on Wednesday, 07th February 2018, at 20:30.

The entrance costs 13 euro.

In Malia, the Association “Maliotiko Carnavali” is celebrating “Tsiknopempti” (Tsikna Thursday), at the square of Panagia (Virgin Mary) Galatiani, on February 8th, in 2018, at 19:00. (There is an explanation of “Tsiknopempti” further below).

Apokries (Greek Carnival)

The Greek carnival (Apokries) has its roots in ancient Greece. It comes from the pagan rituals of the ancient Greeks and the celebrations in honor of Dionysus, the god of wine and cheerfulness. The English word ‘carnival’ comes from the Latin ‘carnem levare’ or ‘carnis levamen’, which means ‘abstention from eating meat’. In Greek, the word “Apokries” is used and means exactly the same. People were dressed up as satyrs or wore masks and flew out in the streets and neighbourhoods, behaving “provocatively” with explicit phrases and deeds.

This tradition eventually spread to other parts of the world through the Roman Empire and the discovery of the New World. However, pagan practices were so deeply rooted that they were not completely abolished. Later, when Christianity appeared and although people ceased to worship the gods of Olympus, the habits of the Greeks to disguise themselves and celebrate on the streets remained.

Once a year, carnivals occur in many cities and villages in our country. The carnival begins 60 days before Greek Orthodox Easter, lasts three weeks and this period is called Triodion. The first week is called “Prophonis” when it was announced that Apokries began and every family had to take care of its supplies. The second week is called “Kreatini,” (Meat Week) because it’s the last week to eat meat. Especially on Thursday this week, the so-called “Tsiknopempti” (Tsikna Thursday), people bake meat in all houses and the smell of roast (tsikna) fills the air in the neighborhoods. The third week is called “Tyrini” or “Tyrofagou” and “Makaronou” (Cheese Week). During this period, it is only allowed to eat dairy products, mainly cheese accompanied with macaroni in order to be prepared for the fasting of the Great Lent.

The carnival events are at their peak at the last weekend of the Apokries by having a carnival parade of the chariots and the masqueraders followed by the burning of the King of Carnival, and ending with an outdoor music-dancing feast until the early hours of the day, bidding in this way farewell to the carnival that ended.

In the Municipality of Chersonissos, the Greek Carnival is celebrated with great joy, color and imagination.

The second Saturday of Carnival, it is a custom to have a big open air party in the center of the village of Mochos and the custom is called “Xinochondro and Mouzoudia”. They cook xinochondro (or trachana) [ dried cracked wheat and fermented milk that is used to make a soup ]. They cook xinochondro and they offer it for free to the people who participate the festivity. All attendants have to make some black signs on their face. In the past this was done by using the ashes of the fire that cooked xinochondro.

Here is a video as prepared by a local TV channel showing the preparations for “Xinochondro and Mouzoudia”.

The event is organized the 10th of February 2018, at 16:00 starts the event for the children and later starts the party for the elder that continues until early in the morning. Xinochondros, wine and refreshments are free, but beer and souvlaki are sold.

The Choir of Malia will visit Heraklion to sing cantatas on Saturday February 10th 2018, as follows:

a) Elderly Unit of the Archbishopric of Crete at 16:30
b) At Talos Mall at 18:30

“Wines of Crete” organize an exhibition on Cretan Wine at the International Exhibition Center of Crete at Gournes, staring Saturday 10th of February 2018 and ending Monday the 12th of February 2018.

The visiting hours are:
Saturday, February 10th : 17:00 – 21:00
Sunday, February 11th : 11:00 – 20:00
Monday, February 12th : 12:00 – 18:00 ( only for businessmen )

Entrance costs 5 euro ( special glass to taste wine is included ) – The entrance is free for businessmen in food and wine industry provided they show their business card.

“Wines of Crete” organize an exhibition on Cretan Wine at the International Exhibition Center of Crete at Gournes, staring Saturday 10th of February 2018 and ending Monday the 12th of February 2018.

The visiting hours are:
Saturday, February 10th : 17:00 – 21:00
Sunday, February 11th : 11:00 – 20:00
Monday, February 12th : 12:00 – 18:00 ( only for businessmen )

Entrance costs 5 euro ( special glass to taste wine is included ) – The entrance is free for businessmen in food and wine industry provided they show their business card.

In Epano Gouves village, the Cultural Association of the village is organizing a carnival parade on Sunday, February 11th, in 2018, at 13:00.

Apokries (Greek Carnival)

The Greek carnival (Apokries) has its roots in ancient Greece. It comes from the pagan rituals of the ancient Greeks and the celebrations in honor of Dionysus, the god of wine and cheerfulness. The English word ‘carnival’ comes from the Latin ‘carnem levare’ or ‘carnis levamen’, which means ‘abstention from eating meat’. In Greek, the word “Apokries” is used and means exactly the same. People were dressed up as satyrs or wore masks and flew out in the streets and neighbourhoods, behaving “provocatively” with explicit phrases and deeds.

This tradition eventually spread to other parts of the world through the Roman Empire and the discovery of the New World. However, pagan practices were so deeply rooted that they were not completely abolished. Later, when Christianity appeared and although people ceased to worship the gods of Olympus, the habits of the Greeks to disguise themselves and celebrate on the streets remained.

Once a year, carnivals occur in many cities and villages in our country. The carnival begins 60 days before Greek Orthodox Easter, lasts three weeks and this period is called Triodion. The first week is called “Prophonis” when it was announced that Apokries began and every family had to take care of its supplies. The second week is called “Kreatini,” (Meat Week) because it’s the last week to eat meat. Especially on Thursday this week, the so-called “Tsiknopempti” (Tsikna Thursday), people bake meat in all houses and the smell of roast (tsikna) fills the air in the neighborhoods. The third week is called “Tyrini” or “Tyrofagou” and “Makaronou” (Cheese Week). During this period, it is only allowed to eat dairy products, mainly cheese accompanied with macaroni in order to be prepared for the fasting of the Great Lent.

The carnival events are at their peak at the last weekend of the Apokries by having a carnival parade of the chariots and the masqueraders followed by the burning of the King of Carnival, and ending with an outdoor music-dancing feast until the early hours of the day, bidding in this way farewell to the carnival that ended.

In the Municipality of Chersonissos, the Greek Carnival is celebrated with great joy, color and imagination.

The Cultural Assotiation of Agriana village is organizing a Carnival Party, on Sunday, February 11th 2018 at 16:00.