2 January
The custom of Momoyeri is revived every year after New Year’s Day. It’s a type of folk pantomime that used to take place in a number of villages in the area of Pontos (the area around the Black Sea). The participants are dressed up like old men.
Distance from the Hotel: 7km
January 6
Events here take place on the day of Epiphany. The main figures of that day are the “Arapides”, dressed in distinctive high hoods out of goat skin and heavy cow bells around their waist. After visiting door to door every house in the village, drinking alcohol and teasing everyone in sight, they end up in the main square where they take to an intense circular dancing.
Distance from the Hotel: 6km
6-7-8 January
“Bara Day” takes place on January 6th. It is the revival of an old custom in which the newly weds make a stop at the Jesus Christening Fountain for health and prosperity. “Arapides” is an age old custom with peculiar costumes and pagan festivities (drinking and dancing until you drop and cheeky behavior) while the next day (January 8th) there is a reenactment of the local wedding day and the custom of “arkoudes” takes place. The day is dedicated to the elderly mid wife which in essence reveals the parental character of the celebration.
Distance from the Hotel: 36km
6 January
On Epiphany Day and the one following that , a lot of noisy events take place that involve animal costumes, cow bells, teasing and non- stop partying!
Distance from the Hotel: 21km
6-7 January
On January 7th here in Xiropotamos, as well as Monastiraki on the same day, the day of Arapides is celebrated. The disguised Arapides knock on every door as early as the break of dawn and they don’t stop screaming and shouting and teasing everybody until very late in the night.
Distance from the Hotel: 8km
6 January
A slightly different Arapides Day celebration takes place in Pagoneri on Epiphany Day ( January 6 ), as the participants with their animal like costumes and big bells are flanked by additional characters such as the “Gupsy”, the “Bride” and the “Doctor” (hatli).
Distance from the Hotel: 54km
6-7-8 January
In Kali Vrisi the most awaited holiday is the three days of Babougera ( 6-7-8 of January). It is about men dressed up in animal skins with cow bells tied around them, that wander around the village making noise and lifting everyone’s spirits sky high. The last day of Babougera is celebrated by the reenactment of a traditional wedding during which the make believe priest mimics mostly the civil ceremony than the religious one.
Distance from the Hotel: 23km
7-8 January
The most important traditional festivity of Petrousa, is the day of the mid-wife (Babo) “Babiden” that revives every day on the 7th and 8th of January. This event has a parental character as “Babo” symbolizes the elder women that would offer their experience and expertise to help younger women during labor. The high light of the events is the presence of a camel that symbolizes the endurance during difficult times.
Distance from the Hotel: 13km
