According to the orthodox tradition, indeed, Apokries is the period of preparation to Lent, 40 days when it is not permitted to eat meat, eggs, dairy and other food, and the term Apokries itself means saying farewell to meat (exactly like the word Carnival, which derives from Latin). The three weeks before Lent are celebrated all around Greece by children and adults, in a particularly cheerful atmosphere.



One of the most important Greek carnivals has been held in Rethymnon, in the island of Crete, for almost a century: in 1915, indeed, the city began to host the first masquerades during which ?His Majesty King Carnival? was welcomed with dances and laughter, but it is from 1960 that celebrations begin to be similar to how they are today, with parades, floats, masks and treasure hunts, besides Greek traditional elements like trumpet and mandolin music. This year the feast begins on the 6th February, with the official announcement of the beginning of Carnival, and the following Sunday, the 8th February, the very feast begins, with fireworks, music and a treasure hunt for children, which is followed, on the 15th, by the traditional treasure hunt for adults: around 70 masked groups (composed of thousands of people), take part in a competition, the aim of which is finding a treasure that has been hidden somewhere in the city, and the winning team will be asked to organise next year's treasure hunt. On the 13th a big and amusing fancy dress party, the first of many other similar events, is organised. The following week is known as the ?meat week?, i.e. the last chance to eat meat before Lent. In particular, Thursday 19th is the day of burned meat: people are all invited to cook meat to let its smell spread in the city (in fact nowadays it is customary to celebrate and eat meat in tavernas).

After the ?meat week?, the ?cheese week?, also known as ?white week? (because in this week people eat mainly dairy and eggs), comes. On the 22nd February a feast for all masked groups takes place, while on Saturday 28th people begin to warm up for Sunday's great parade: the main road is invaded by a crowd of dancing and masked people, and on the 1st March everything is ready for the climactic moment of the carnival, the great Parade. Over 100,000 visitors are expected to come and admire the parade, which will go through the main streets of the city, and which will be followed by the traditional burning of King Carnival.

Book a cheap hotel in Crete for some days and enjoy at least a part of carnival celebrations. You will have fun and you will learn something more about this beautiful island.

Tickets: free event

Date: 6th February ? 2nd March 2009

Location: Rethymnon, Crete, Greece