Authentic Carnival in the island of Skyros
Authentic Carnival in the island of Skyros
Skyros might not be the first island coming in your mind when thinking about your holidays in Greece and definitely is not the one you would be thinking of for experiencing the Greek carnival. If you love carnival festivities and you are looking for authentic customs during this period, then Skyros should be in your bucket list even for the winter – spring period (depending on the Carnival season each year)!
Is Skyros a winter – spring destination?
Skyros belongs to the southern Sporades Complex (a group of islands in Central Aegean Sea), well known for its ponies, painted ceramics, delicious lobster and its carnival. Skyros might not be the first island coming in your mind when thinking about your holidays in Greece and definitely is not the one you would be thinking of for experiencing the Greek carnival. If you love carnival festivities and you are looking for authentic customs during this period, then Skyros should be in your bucket list even for the winter – spring period (depending on the Carnival season each year)!
The custom
The custom of the Skyrian Carnival is associated with three figures, the “Old Man”, the “Corella” and the “Franco”, who give a peculiar color to this custom, dancing in the picturesque alleys of the island. The "Old Man" is dressed in a hairy black cape and wears a mask made of goat skin, while in the middle he has a belt with a herd of bells. “Corella” dances around him in her traditional costume holding a handkerchief, while hiding her face with a mask. “Frangos” is the comic figure, wearing regular trousers, a mask and a big bell on the back of his waist. The three different personalities characterize the citizens of Skyros who left their island – “abandoned the traditional clothing” and left for the cities, “preferring western trousers” (the Franciscans).
Skyros vibes during Carnival
Τhe festivities in Skyros start in the first Carnival weekend and end on Green Monday in Chora’s mains square. Groups of disguised people walk around the alleys of the island offering with their presence a vibe of joy and mysterious majesty. The alleys of Skyros are alive with the sounds of clanging goat bells. Green Monday is the final day of Carnival celebration for the whole island! Almost all Skyrians dress in their traditional costumes and celebrate accompanied by the tones of violins and lutes in the island’s main square. Love traditional customs? This is your chance to experience them during the last Greek Carnival longer weekend in 4-7 of March 2022!
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