The story
Kastoria Ragoutsaria in Kastoria
A three-day winter custom in Kastoria beginning January 6, tracing possible roots to ancient Dionysian festivals, in which locals organized into costumed groups called parees, each with its own brass-and-percussion orchestra, parade through the streets wearing masks and heavy bells meant to frighten off evil spirits, culminating January 8 with a major parade.
Kastoria opens its winter carnival season earlier than almost anywhere else in Greece, starting on January 6, the feast of Epiphany, with a three-day custom called Ragoutsaria that culminates on January 8, a day locals call Paterista, marking the feast of Saint Dominique with a large street parade.