Crete tourist guide

According to the Greek Orthodox tradition, people who wait for the forty-day fast before Easter can eat as much meat as they want on this special Thursday and can have fun as long as they have enough strength. This tradition is, of course, a good opportunity for family or friends meetings, the more so that in many places in the main squares there are barbecues on which meat is roasted.

On this day, from early afternoon, you can feel the tsikna floating in the air, i.e. the specific smoke that is produced when grilling meat. In the evening, when people sit at tables filled with food, you can hear music everywhere, sometimes singing and loud conversations. Taverns that day prepare a special menu, and one of the most popular dishes are souvlaki and paidakia, i.e. grilled lamb ribs. In some regions of Greece, in addition to grilled meats, nettle cake (Πίτα με τσουκνίδες) is also baked. Probably the genesis of this custom can be found in the ancient rituals in honor of Bacchus. They have survived to our times, but with some modifications. Various parades are organized during the last week of the carnival. People dress up and take to the streets to dance and sing.