The Cultural Beautification Association of Friends of Marathokampos revived on Sunday, February 26, in the village of Western Samos, the traditional Marathokambi custom, “Ta franzolia”.

The custom includes a parade of carnival men through the streets of Marathokampos, satirical disguises with fun and dancing, accompanied by live music.

The starting time of the procession of the carnivalists was set at 4 pm.

A traditional feast followed in the event hall of the Cultural Association of Marathokampos, to the sounds of live music.

What are “Franzolia”

The word “Franzolia” probably came from franza, which means adornment. The Dionysian events at this local “carnival” are a continuation of a long-standing folk tradition that reaches, according to some opinions, to the ancient “Anthesterias” during which our ancestors celebrated the arrival of Spring with all that it brings to life and the mood of the people, but at the same time it was also a celebration dedicated to the dead.

Specifically, the ancient ancestors believed that on the second day of the Anthesterias, the gates of Hades were opened and the dead ascended to the Upper World where they remained for three days.

During this time, wanting to represent the dead moving secretly among the living, many disguised themselves and behaved strangely by dancing and jumping. The people around them did them great honors and fed them “panspermia”, a preparation of cereal seeds and legumes that reminds of the huts of memorial services and Psycho Saturday.