Tsiknopempti

Athens is firmly in the swing of 'Apokries,' the three-week carnival celebration leading up to Lent, with a series of events featuring colorful costumes, street parades and lively performances at the Kypseli Municipal Market (42 Fokionos Negri).

Revelers take part in traditional "Tskinopempti" (Smoky Thursday) celebrations in the northern port city of Thessaloniki. The aroma of grilled and roasted meats filled the streets in cities and towns across the country on Thursday, marking an important date in the "Apokries," the three-week Greek Carnival season.

A man grills meat to be distributed to revellers, in front of city's main meat market, during the celebrations of Tsiknopempti or "Smoky Thursday," dedicated to grilling of meat, part of the Greek Carnival season in Athens, Thursday. [Reuters]

How will we celebrate Tsiknopempti

It will arrive in Greece on Thursday

The news of a protest by employees at the Ministry of Education, who were unhappy that they were not allowed to leave work earlier to celebrate Tsiknopempti (the Thursday marking 11 days before the start of Greek Orthodox Lent when Greeks traditionally eat grilled meat) is not only a laughing matter but indicative of a particular mentality that has proved so harmful to the country.

Members of a vegan group held a rally outside Athens's main Varvakios food market on Thursday, to protest "Tsiknopempti" - the Thursday 11 days before the beginning of the Greek Orthodox Lent fast, when Greeks traditionally gather to eat grilled meat.
Protesters distributed flyers to shoppers and passersby with slogans such as "Eat lentils."

Police in Athens said on Friday that they are looking for members of anti-establishment groups that went on a rampage on Wednesday, damaging two butcher shops in the central district of Kypseli to protest against the slaughter of animals on the occasion of Tsiknopempti - the Thursday 11 days before the beginning of Lent when Greeks traditionally gather to eat grilled meat.