The largest carnival of Apokries (carnival time before Lenten fasting) kicked off without the traditional fireworks but in a spirit of revelry at Agiou Georgiou Square on Saturday as the King of the Carnival declared the start of the season of masquerading. Patras Mayor Kostas Peletidis asked young people to send a message of hope and optimism and refuse to have their future quashed by monopolies and multinationals. He asked them to put aside their misery and join in the carnival mayhem in Patra over the coming month.

For a month, the city of Patras in the Peloponnese will be a place of masquerading and playfulness, with events due to culminate on Sunday, February 22.

For the full program of events, CLICK HERE.