Patras Carnival 2025: Spectacular Opening Ceremony

The news in Greek

1. συγκεντρώνομαι
   σχηματίζω συνάθροιση ή μαζεύομαι σε ένα σημείο ↩︎
2. πλατεία (f.)
   ανοικτός χώρος σε πόλη ή χωριό, συνήθως για περίπατο ή συνάντηση ανθρώπων ↩︎
3. παραδοσιακός
   που ανήκει ή συνδέεται με τις παραδόσεις ↩︎
4. σοκολατοπόλεμος (m.)
   ειδικό γεγονός όπου οι συμμετέχοντες πετούν σοκολάτες ↩︎
5. ενότητα (f.)
   η κατάσταση του να είναι κανείς ενωμένος ↩︎
6. αισιοδοξία (f.)
   η κατάσταση του να βλέπει κανείς το μέλλον με ελπίδα και θετικότητα ↩︎

Translation

Text Comprehension

Question: When did the Patras Carnival start in 2025?

Question: Who sang the song ‘Lampo’ during the opening ceremony?

Vocabulary

Greek	English
συγκεντρώνομαι	to gather
πλατεία (f.)	square
παραδοσιακός	traditional
σοκολατοπόλεμος (m.)	chocolate fight
ενότητα (f.)	unity
αισιοδοξία (f.)	optimism

Read the full story

The ceremony featured a live musical performance by the band Cubaneros, delighting the crowd with a lively repertoire. One of the highlights of the evening was the surprise appearance of beloved artist Takis Zacharatos, who captivated the audience with his rendition of Anna Vissi’s “Lampo,” elevating the event’s energy.

The opening event also included a captivating ritualistic narrative marked by symbolic representations that conveyed the essence of the carnival. According to the Municipal Enterprise for Patras Carnival, the “carnival energy” of the locals was encapsulated in the three colours of the carnival banner. This energy was brought to life through the harlequin, who guided the festivities with a symbolic dance throughout the event.

The harlequin dance journeyed through three core themes of the carnival life: the mask representing transformation, the parade signifying carnival activities, and the power of dance and rhythm.

In a traditional touch, the festival maintained its custom of the “chocolate war,” where attendees were showered with chocolates, adding a sweet twist to the celebrations.

Addressing the assembled crowd, Mayor Kostas Peletidis expressed optimism for the carnival’s role in fostering unity and creativity. “The carnival of our city begins its beautiful journey,” he stated, highlighting the critical role of youth and their creativity in this year’s events. The mayor emphasised the festival’s enduring spirit of solidarity and its ability to bring hope in challenging times. “In our children’s hands lies the future,” he noted, underscoring the festival’s focus on celebrating and empowering the next generation.

The Patras Carnival continues to be a beacon of joy and creativity, promising an unforgettable experience not just for the locals but also for visitors from across Greece and beyond. As part of the opening, Mayor Peletidis was joined by Pavlos Skouras, President of Patras Carnival Organisation KEDIP, to officially launch the events.

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