Carnival in the Municipality of Pavlos Mela

The Municipality of Pavlos Melas is organizing a rich program of activities and events to celebrate Carnival. Residents and visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy events from Saturday, February 15 to Clean Monday, March 3. Both young and old carnival-goers are expected to fill the streets of the Municipality of Pavlos Melas, keeping the carnival tradition alive. The events will be musically accompanied by the orchestra of the Municipal Conservatory of Polichni, musical ensembles, and the percussion group of the Municipality of Pavlos Melas, “TURUKUTU.”

The events kick off on Saturday, February 15, with a children’s carnival party at Eleftherias Square in Ano Ilioupoli. On Saturday, February 22, the traditional “patinada” (street parade) will flood the streets of Efkarpia, followed by a celebration with the traditional event “Fanós” from Kozani at Dimokratias Square. On Sunday, February 23, two carnival parades will take place. The first will be in Nikopoli at 11:00, and immediately after the parade, a celebration will follow next to the Church of Saint Spyridon. On the same day, a carnival parade will take place in Efkarpia at 17:00 at Katsia Square. On Sunday, March 2, carnival-goers will fill the streets of Polichni for the carnival parade.

Clean Monday at Karatasiou Camp with free delicacies, kites, music, and dancing

Clean Monday, March 3, will be celebrated with free Lenten delicacies, kite flying, and festivities at the former Karatasiou Camp and Trauma City of Efkarpia. The delicacies to be shared include bean soup, taramasalata, lagana bread, halva, and wine. Free kites will also be distributed at both locations.

Events with carnival surprises for children will be held at the municipal libraries of Stavroupoli, Polichni, and Efkarpia.

Detailed program of events:

Saturday, February 15, Children’s Carnival Party

Eleftherias Square – Ano Ilioupoli, 11:00, with the entertainment group “Dream Heroes”

Saturday, February 22, Traditional Carnival Events

Efkarpia

• Traditional patinada with a finale at Dimokratias Square. Starting point: The headquarters of the Cultural Associations of Efkarpia, 19:00
• Dimokratias Square: Celebration with the traditional “Fanós” event from Kozani, 20:00

Sunday, February 23, Carnival Parade

• Nikopoli – Stavroupoli

Starting point: Bus terminal 34, 11:00

Ending and celebration: Next to Saint Spyridon Church

• Efkarpia

Starting point: Konstantinou & Elenis Square, 17:00

Ending and celebration: Katsia Square

Saturday, March 1, Children’s Carnival Party

Krya Vrysi Park, Polichni, 12:00, with the orchestra of the Municipal Conservatory of Polichni and the entertainment group “Dream Heroes”

Sunday, March 2, Carnival Parade

Polichni

• First starting point: Meteora Square, 11:00

• Second starting point: Jenny Karezi Park, 12:00

Ending and celebration: Polichni Triangle

Clean Monday, March 3, “Koulouma” (Lenten Festivities)

Music, dancing, delicacies, and kite flying, 11:00

• Karatasiou Camp, traditional celebration with the music ensemble “ANTIKRY” and the associations of the municipality

• Trauma City of Efkarpia, traditional outdoor celebration

The percussion group “TURUKUTU” of the Municipality of Pavlos Melas will also participate.

Carnival at the Municipal Libraries

Stories, mask-making, and other carnival surprises, 18:00

Wednesday, February 26, Efkarpia Library Thursday, February 27, Polichni Library Friday, February 28, Stavroupoli Library

The events are organized by the Cultural Department of the Municipality of Pavlos Melas and the municipal communities of Stavroupoli, Polichni, and Efkarpia.