It is that time of the year again – Greek Carnival. This Celebration marks the beginning of a 3 week period known as „Αποκριά (Apokria)“. The first week is the so called preannouncement week, the second week is the week of meat, and the third week the week of cheese, because it is already forbidden to eat meat during this week, but dairy products are still allowed. After the third week the fasting begins. The second week includes a very popular day called „Τσικνοπέμπτη (Tsikno-pempti)“, when massive amounts of meat are prepared and a delicious smell fills the air, which is where the day got its name from, meaning something like smelly or burnt thursday.
The parents union of all 3 primary schools of Vrontados prepared big parties to raise some money that will be used for each school throughout the year, and us volunteers were also invited. There was music, food, lots of dressed up children, and even a lottery, and it was a lot of fun. It was especially interesting to see what all the children disguised themselves as, and how different it was from our childhood, but that’s a story for another day.
On the last friday before the fasting season began, the schools also had a little party. The children were allowed to dress up and bring lots of food. In the 1st primary school of Vrontados, the older students organised games for the younger students during the first half of the day. Afterwards, everybody went outside and the teachers made a long buffet out of tables and the food the children brought to school. We spent the day dancing and playing with the children and there was a vote for the most creative costume in each class. In the 1st kindergarten of Vrontados the children also had a party in the gym with a lot of confetti, music and games.
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