Festival of the Forest and Folklore
They are two cultural events held in July and August in the town of Karpenisi. Music, theater, dance events etc. dominate.
Trade fair
From July 29th to August 3rd, a trade fair is held in the town of Karpenisi, attracting the interest of both local residents and visitors.
Winter Festival
The events start 15 days before Christmas and last 10-15 days. The festivities begin with the lighting of the Christmas tree in the city's central square, followed by a chain of cultural events until the first days of the new year, organized by the Municipality and other cultural institutions.
Botsaria
Many sports activities are also held in Karpenisi, such as the "Botsaria" which include off-road races. Athletes from Central Greece and other regions participate in the competitions. The games are usually held in August.
Carnival
In addition to the masquerade, the Germanic customs of Karpenisi, the carnival folk performance "Panaratou" and the "Gypsic Wedding" of Clean Monday are celebrated. "Panaratos" is a custom that revives on the last Sunday of Shrovetide and on Clean Monday. This custom has been around since the beginning of the 20th century. It is a theatrical performance with a central axis, a variation of the case of Erophile, but it is also enriched with current issues. Panaretos is the son of the king of Thrace and falls in love with his daughter Vasilia, unfortunately the girl is destined for another husband and so Panaretos is beheaded while the unfortunate girl kills herself.
On Clean Monday, the "Gypsic Wedding" is performed, a satirical comedy starring only male residents of the village, the identification of the actors is such that the nicknames of the show also follow them in their daily lives.
Roumeliotiko Easter
At Easter in Karpenisi there is a procession and meeting of Epitaphs in the central square of the town on Good Friday with the participation of the Philharmonic. On Holy Saturday, the Resurrection of the God-man is celebrated with the throwing of sparklers and the distribution of red eggs by the Municipality to residents and visitors.
On Easter Sunday, the entire city is literally covered in smoke from hundreds of pits in the neighborhoods of the city, in which residents burn vines. The custom is revived every year on Easter Sunday in almost all the houses of Karpenisi. Next to the pits, the spits for roasting the obelia are set up and the feast with plenty of food, drink, dances and songs lasts until late at night. At the same time, the Municipality organizes music and dance events on Easter, to which locals and tourists are invited.
Feasts
- Feast of Agios Nikolaos Karpenisiotis on September 23, which is also a local holiday.
- Feast of Agios Athanasios on May 2.
- Feast of the Prophet Elias on July 20
- Feast of Agia Paraskevi on July 26.
- On the last Sunday of August, a festival is organized in honor of the Evrytan Saints.
Source [quote] Customs of Karpenisi: traditions unchanged over time Gnoriste tin Ellada | gnoristetinellada.gr
