Before the sacrifices of Lent, Crete slips into something more festive, grabs her mask and takes to the streets of Rethymno. The shops are filled with costumes and masks and the city center becomes a transient circus with stiltwalkers, fire-eaters, popes, clowns and political leaders who march, dance, drink, eat and party into the night. People of all ages dress up and look forward to the masquerade parties, theatrical sketches and treasure hunts.
The Apokries festivities start on Sunday of the Publican & Pharisee when the start of the Carnival is announced, the Rethymnon Town Hall is lit up and hundreds of fireworks, confetti, balloons and music burst over the town. The three-week carnival period kicks off with treasure hunts, dance events and fancy dress balls. The best known carnival processions are in Rethymno, Souda and Chania.
The highlight of the Rethymno carnival is, of course, the Grand Parade which attracts thousands of people from all corners of the island. The first elements of humorous performances in Rethymno date back to 1915. During this era, Carnival was celebrated with romantic dances, and “His Majesty King Carnival” was welcomed with escapades and laughter.
The celebrations also encompass surrounding villages as old customs, games and traditional events are revived. Locals and visitors pose for photos and compare outfits.
The villages of Meronas at the foothills of Mount Psiloritis and of Melidoni welcome hundreds of aficionados of the old customs, which include Carnival games and satires. Customs such as the “kidnapping of the bride”, the “Kantis”, the smudging of people, performed in combination with consuming good wine and listening to the music of the lyre, are a successful formula for a unique experience.
Carnival Season festivities culminate on Clean Monday, Kathara Deftera, when Cretans young and old usher in the first day of Megali Sarakosti with traditional flatbread (lagana), countless seafood snacks and the time-honored flying of the kite while fine musicians entertain the crowds till dusk.
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