They will bring with them the dry yeast wreaths that they kept well hidden, for the eve of the Birthday of the Holy Forerunner and John the Baptist. They will light fires and burn them in the central square of the village, for prosperity and good health.

The reason for the custom of “Saint John Fourkalas”, which is revived every year, on June 23, in Kapnochori, Kozani.

Laughter, teasing and singing have their due, while the custom will conclude with a big dance, in which everyone participates.

“The custom was brought with them by our fellow refugees from Panido Raidestou in Eastern Thrace. For many years it was maintained and revived, in a neighborhood, by a family of our late priest, Fr. Athanasios Hatzimanolis, who also took it from his father. Thus, on the day of the feast of the Saint’s Birthday, he gathered vines and lit fires to burn the Mayan wreaths and bless and purify the place. And then the neighbors actively participated in the custom” explains Agapi Amarantidou, the president of the Cultural Association of Kapnohori Kozani to APE-MBE.

According to tradition, the participants will light fires in the central square of the village and there they will burn their Mayan wreaths. As soon as the fire subsides, young and old will start jumping over its fiery ashes, to have good health and good fortune.

The revival of the custom by the Cultural Association of Kapnohori Kozani “Agios Georgios”, which was established in 2011, started two years later, in 2013, and since then it has been maintained and continues with great interest and participation from everyone: local and visitors.

“In the custom, but also in many of our events, where necessary, they are present in uniform. We always have a Pontian and a Thracian woman to honor our place and our history”, points out the president of the cultural association.