Greece Patras Carnival Is Amongst Europe’S Finest
Although not as famous as other Mediterranean or Central European carnivals, the Patras Carnival is amongst Europe’s finest. Along with London’s Nottingham Parade, it has the largest number of masquerades (40,000 in the Great Parade) and is, without doubt, the first in Europe with regard to the participation of young people, making it a leader in fun and passion.
IT STARTED APPROXIMATELY 180 YEARS ago and has since presented an interesting history and evolution. In 1829, it was initially a Bal Masque thrown in the houses of the local bourgeoisie. Around 1879, members of the bourgeoisie sponsored the construction of carnival chariots and established the parade. For many decades, the official Patras Carnival, a local event, was limited to the balls and the parade. There was, of course, another popular version with parties at local taverns and private residences, and the boules (an improvised masquerade, with people wearing clothes of the opposite sex or granny’s attire).
The local craftsmen were also involved in the building of the chariots, which reflected their know how and different styles. But the Carnival remained a bourgeois celebration since the posh dances and the chariot parade were its main highlights. With the exception of the boules, all other local carnival customs were also created by the bourgeois class, such as the wax eggs “war”, the chocolate war and the “bourboulia” dances.
Clearly, this carnival was of Italian origin and had nothing to do with the pagan carnival traditions that existed in others parts of