Carnival in the Greek island of Skyros - Σκυριανό Καρναβάλι

The customs of Skyros have been preserved over the centuries and testify to the long tradition of the island. Throughout the year cultural events and festivals take place, culminating in the Skyrian Carnival. In the celebrations of the Triodion (the greek-orthodox carnival period), visitors can witness the custom of the “Geros(=Old Man)” and “Corela(young girl)”. The central figure is the “Old Man”, who is dressed in a hairy black cape and wears a mask made of goat leather. In the waist he wears a belt with bells, which may weigh up to 50 kilograms! “Geros” is accompanied by “Corela” (who is a young man dressed in traditional female costume) and “Frank(=the European)” who wears a mask and a large bell in the waist.
Groups of disguised men and women go around the country, dancing and singing. The men (and even young boys) haul their belts, around the hilly streets of the town until well into the night. The whole atmosphere refers to a Dionysian atmosphere and it is further enhanced in the second part of Skyros Carnival. This second part is the custom of “Trawl”, which is the recitation of satiric verses.

[tomgarretson]

This is the rites of Dionysus, which has spread into Europe in other forms. I only wish I could find out exactly when this festival occurs, but every time I contact a hotel or other on the island of Skyros, I never get a straight answer from