Every year, on Clean Monday, crowds gather in Gergeri within the Municipality of Gortys. It's a day when the festivities of ‘Apokrigiomata’ reach their peak. Here, ancient Dionysian customs are brought back to life, including the legendary ‘Bears’ passed down through the generations, now a cherished part of our cultural heritage.

These ‘Bears’ dance wildly to the beat of traditional music, their movements echoing against the backdrop of Psiloritis.

Organisers explain that these are age-old religious customs with remarkable resilience. Costumes, painted faces, animal hides, and bells, along with various accessories, serve to challenge and subvert norms. Combined with witty banter, poking fun at secular and religious authorities, it imbues participants with a sense of boundless existential freedom.

‘Apokrigiomata in Gergeri’ is a one-of-a-kind institution in Greece, embodying events that reflect the cyclical nature of life, the rich history, and the cultural identity of the region.

Amidst the revelry, wine and raki flow freely, accompanied by delectable Lenten dishes.

* Clean Monday marks the start of Lent, during which believers abstain from meat, dairy, and oil on certain days.

More information HERE