During the second week of Apokries, known as “Kreatini” (Meat Week), meat may be eaten every day, even the traditional fast days of Wednesday and Friday.

The Thursday of the second week of carnival is known as “Tsiknopempti” (Tsikna Thursday). This is when the festivities begin. Traditionally, everyone must cook meat so that the smoke or “tsikna” fills the air and everybody knows it’s a feast-day. That’s how Tsiknopempti got its name.

On Tsiknopempti the first masqueraders make their appearance and the first carnival parties are held. The bars and clubs are packed, especially in the towns. There are all kinds of costume and you can hire the one you prefer.

The third week is called “Tyrini” (Cheese Week) - people can eat dairy products and fish but not meat.

Apokria ends on “Kathari Deftera” (Clean Monday), the first day of Lent, the 40-day fast until Easter Sunday. On Clean Monday, the “koulouma” are held. Everybody goes off to the countryside, eats Lenten food and flies kites. People used to make their own kites and it took a lot of skill to make your kite fly higher than the rest.

The "gaitanaki" tradition