A living geography · 12 discoveries
A chapter of E. Macedonia & Thrace.
Cultural dossier
The geography within
Living traditions
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Monastiraki, Drama
On Epiphany, bell-bearing Arapides move through Monastiraki in goat skins, awakening the village with sound and movement.
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Petroussa, Drama
From 6 to 8 January, Petroussa fills with goat skins, bells, processions, the camel Zacharias, bonfires and all-night dancing.
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Pagoneri, Drama
Goat-skin masks, wooden swords and heavy pastoral bells fill Pagoneri with noise on Epiphany.
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Pyrgi, Drama
Pyrgi hosts an annual winter night gathering with traditional music, dancing and village hospitality.
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Volakas, Drama
On 7 January, the black-faced Arapides of Volakas emerge with straw humps, goat fleece, crooks and thunderous bells.
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Volakas, Drama
On 8 January, figures dressed as bears in animal skins move through Volakas wearing a single bell called the Trakarntaki.
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Monastiraki, Drama
On 8 January, Monastiraki closes the festive cycle with Babougera, bears, comic characters and a wine-carrying Dionysus.
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Volakas, Drama
On 8 January, a staged wedding unfolds in Volakas as songs, preparations and comic ritual meet the Arkoudes in the main square.
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Sound & place
Sound & place
Volakas → Drama → E. Macedonia & Thrace
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