Tsiknopempti: Burnt Thursday

February 24th marked one of the important carnival days in Greece--Tsiknopempti or Burnt Thursday. It's celebrated eleven days before Lent begins. The burnt part refers to the cooking of massive amounts of meat, which everyone then consumes before they have to give it up for for Lent. People gather at the Tabernas and there was a parade in Aristotle Square, as well as parties throughout the day and night.

 


At school we celebrated with a BBQ with souvlaki (meat on a stick, the only way they seem to eat meat here and I won't be particularly sad if I never see again) and a costume contest. Easter, to the Greeks, is the most important holiday of the year, so they have many celebrations prior to Lent and of course once Easter arrives. Next week we get Monday off from school for Shrove Monday (Clean Monday) which marks the beginning of giving up all non-fasting foods and leaving behind our sinful attitudes/begins the countdown till Easter!!