Bourani & Tyrnavos Carnival

On Clean Monday, Dionysus himself descends upon Tyrnavos for an orgiastic celebration unlike any other. The 'bourani' itself might be a simple oil-free vegetable soup made with spinach, rice, nettles, and vinegar, but the custom surrounding its preparation harks directly back to ancient Dionysian rituals. From early morning, revellers light fires, set the bourani to boil, and begin dancing around the flames. As the festivities progress, spirits soar, and all sense of modesty takes a definitive hike.

Expect relentless mutual teasing from which no one escapes unscathed, non-stop bawdiness, satirical couplets that could make the dead blush, and countless phallic symbols – crafted from clay, wood, baked into bread, or even shaped as lollipops. Of course, traditional instruments, songs, and dances fuel the revelry, starting early in the morning on the hill of Prophet Elias. The party spills over into the main square and the neighbourhoods of Tyrnavos, with the exquisite local tsipouro flowing freely until the following dawn!

The Bourani is intrinsically linked to the arrival of spring, the rebirth of nature, and the fertility of the earth. Each year, it draws thousands of participants from far and wide, eager to witness and experience firsthand an authentic, "rural" carnival ritual – the kind that absolutely must be preserved.

In truth, the main celebration kicks off the night before, on the last Sunday of Apokries (Carnival season), with the renowned Tyrnavos Carnival. Ranked among the top 4-5 largest carnivals in Greece, it features dozens of participating groups, elaborate floats, and thousands of costumed revellers. In recent years, a dedicated Children's Carnival has also become a popular fixture, held on the preceding weekend.