For the last 200 years, on the last Sunday of Carnival (known as Sunday of Tyrini) and on Ash Monday (the first day of the Great Lent), the people of the town of Thebes, the birthplace of Dionysus, merge elements of the ancient worship of Dionysus (Bacchus) with the Christianity in folk custom, the Vlachikos Gamos (Vlach Wedding), which takes place on four feast days: Tsiknopempti (‘Fat Thursday’), on the last Sunday of Carnival, on Ash Monday and on the name day of the Agii Theodori (St. Theodore) celebrated together with All Souls’ Day. On the Sunday of Tyrini, at noon, the “Captains” with their servant called Panoussis, the flambouro (wedding banner), the traditional drums and pipiza (a sort of flute), visit the Vlachic dwellings and join with groups of Vlachs, Macedonians, and Liapides (the people of Apulia in classical antiquity).
The groups gather at the main pedestrian street of Thebes, Epaminondas str., and at Thebes’ main square, dancing singing, and partying late into the night. Visitors are welcome to enjoy the day and participate in the feast with all the participants.
The Vlach wedding is a satirical rendition of a shepherd’s marriage ceremony, which became a custom for the Carnival in Thebes sometime in the mid-19th century was integrated into the national index of intangible cultural heritage supported by UNESCO. Thousands of visitors are flooding the venue to experience this event from up close. This festival is for the inhabitants of the area, and especially the Vlachs, an important part of their cultural heritage.
Photo: driverstories.gr
