The Greek Carnival ‘Apokries’ season has come and gone for another year and with that so too in Melbourne.
MANASIS School of Greek Dance and Culture presented the final instalment of their ‘Dodekaimero & Apokries’ Carnival Season Processions on Friday March 15.
The non-stop glendi included dance performances, live music, and a special impromptu roving set through the Eaton Mall and surrounding streets.
Celebrations ended at Vanilla in Oakleigh with a masquerade party which saw hundreds of students, families and other members of the community.
Over the years the school has celebrated Apokries across the wider community and recently has presented many ‘dromena’ from topical and isolated regions across Greece.
It is one of the oldest known folk traditions still existing, pre-dating Christianity and shared right throughout Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Part of the festivities is the wearing of animal skins, masks and bells to ward off evil spirits from the earth, provides fertile ground for crops to grow, and masks and swords to protect the wearers from being possessed.
Although the ritual varies from village to village, country to country, the essence remains the same.
MANASIS’ contributions included the famous Gainnitsaroi and Boulles of Naousa, Rougatisa of Karditsa, Kamiles & Divitzides of Anatoliki Romilia, Pourpouris & Kortopoula of Isaakio, and the Rougatsaria and Koudounoforoi from Soxos, Anthi Serron, Monastiraki, Xiropotamo, and other regions of Northern Greece.
The school is now preparing for the celebration of Greek Independence on March 25 and their upcoming Destination Patrida 2024 project, where a select cohort of students will be embarking on a one month journey across Greece.
