Between Christmas and New Year, the most widespread custom that takes place in the city of Larissa is the so-called “Pig Festival”
Rich are the local customs in the regions of the prefecture of Larissa that are followed at Christmas but mainly between New Year’s and Epiphany and testify to the habits and lifestyle of their inhabitants.
A key element of the customs is the connection with traditions, while some stand out, which draw their origin from Eastern Rumilia.
“Gurounochara” in Philippoupolis, Larissa
Between Christmas and New Year, the most widespread custom that takes place in the city of Larissa is the so-called “Pig Festival”. This custom is organized in the neighborhood of Plovdiv and has its roots in the refugees from Eastern Rumilia who settled in the neighborhood of the city many years ago. The custom of slaughtering the pig and the combination with wild revelry gave it the name “Gourunochara”.
The pig, since long ago, was important for the food of the family, as after the animal was slaughtered, all its parts were used.
The pieces of meat after cutting were cooked, while some parts made them into sausages. The fat was used for cooking, since oil was too expensive for poor families.
To this day during the custom in the neighborhood of Philippoupolis, the women cook Eastern Rumilia food, and along with the roast pork and plenty of wine, they offer it to the guests.
Butterflies in Elassonas Meadow (New Year’s Eve)
In Livadi Elassonas, on New Year’s Eve, children go out into the streets singing carols. On New Year’s Day, the visitor can see the “Bambaliurias” on the street. It is a custom related to the “exorcism” of evil spirits, which is done with the loud noise of bells by youths wearing animal masks.
“Camels and Divinity” in the Great Monastery of Larissa
The event “Camels and Divitzides” is one of the most well-known New Year’s customs of eastern Romilia, which is also revived in the Great Monastery of Larissa. In the past, the custom aimed to exchange wishes for a good year, fertility and health.
During the custom, one of the most difficult and elaborate dances is danced. It is a form of zonaradic dance where men perform elaborate figures to the sounds of bagpipes and drums.
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