Regional Unit of Grevena: Tradition and contemporary culture
Dodekaimeron (Christmastide) masquerades are performed in the villages of Grevena. On New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, the Rougatsaria, groups of men in fustanelles (traditional men’s pleated skirts) with bells, and other masqueraders such as the groom and bride roam the streets, singing carols outside the houses and wishing the householders a happy new year in almost all the villages of Grevena.
The Andromana custom of Deskati, on Easter Friday, on the feast-day of the Zoodochos Pege (the Virgin Fountain of Life), celebrates the sending-off of Easter with the lyrics “Farewell Easter and may you return”. The performance opens with the Tranos Choros (Grand Dance). Women in concentric circles sing the praises of spring in a slow, ceremonial dance. At the end, the Andromana, an impressive human pyramid, is created in the main square.
In the summer, the cultural events of the Municipality of Grevena, folk festivals and fairs, especially those of the Feast of the Dormition of the Virgin on 15 August, are an opportunity for residents, returning emigrants and visitors to get together. The celebration of the Dormition in Samarina on 16 and 17 August stands out: all the villagers come together to dance the Tsiatsos (Tranos Choros) in the cathedral courtyard. The slow-stepping, dignified dance is arranged in two large concentric circles, the men on the inside and the women on the outside. In the centre, one or two men holding a staff coordinate the dancing and singing.
Some festivals highlight local products. In the “Mushroom City”, as Grevena is known, the Panhellenic Mushroom Festival comprises educational seminars on mushroom-gathering, cooking, woodcarving, thematic exhibitions, outdoor activities and concerts. In Amygdalies and other villages the cherry harvest is celebrated with cultural events.
At the beginning of August in Nisi, on the banks of the Haliacmon, the Yagoulia River Spirit event is held on the initiative of the Nature-lovers’ Association of Grevena. Hikers and nature-lovers have the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, exercise, have fun and try Pontian dishes, mushroom soup and chickpea soup.
For sports and nature-lovers there are trail runs, the most important being the Orliakas Race, which starts at the village of Spilaio and runs through the Portitsa Gorge. Other popular runs are the Kastraki Trail in the Theodoridis Park in Grevena and those in villages including Pontini, Agios Georgios, Deskati and Prionia.
A special cultural event in Grevena is the St Patrick’s Day Festival, a spring festival celebrating Irish culture. It started ten years ago as a small Irish music festival is now a city institution, bringing together the Greek and Irish music and dance traditions.
