Our favorite time of year is here! Carnival has arrived and to get into the party spirit, we will take you on a historical “journey” of music, food, dancing and masquerades. Carnival is the preparation for Lent and Holy Week. The 3 weeks before Lent are called the Triodion. Let’s learn more…
CARNIVAL AND FASTING
The etymology of the Greek word “Apokries” means abstinence from meat. It was so named because, during this time, it is customary for Christians to abstain from meat. Carnival is the Latin word with exactly the same meaning, Carne = Meat and Vale = Passes. This period is divided into the 3 weeks of the Triodion. The first week, which is called Prelude, is for preparation and the official announcement that Apokries has begun. The second week, Creatine, is when we get our ‘last chance’ to eat meat and celebrate with feasts, food and drink. The third week is called Tirofagou, because it is customary to eat only dairy and no meat, in order to slowly prepare for Lent. So, Apokries is a celebration that is defined by the stomach and that is why it is our favorite!
DID YOU KNOW?
The endless feasts, dances and parading are customs from Roman times dedicated to the demise of the god Saturn: the Crones “Lupercalia” and “Saturnalia” as they are called. It is also one of the oldest “Dionysian festivals” of the Greeks, where people wore costumes, danced, performed satirical skits and had fun drinking wine in honor of the god Dionysus. In northern Greece, the glorious “Koudounofori” appear, a masquerade custom related to the fertility of the earth but also to love. While, in Germany, Carnival is an important part of local tradition and is associated with political satire.
FAMOUS CARNIVALS
The general purpose of Carnival is to say goodbye to winter and welcome spring! The traditions of Apokries are celebrated all over Greece, with the most famous festivals taking place in Patras, Xanthi, Rethymnon, and the Dionysian carnival of Tyrnavos, featuring the famous Bourani.
BEVERAGE PARADE
As locals from Patras, we here at Coffee Island, are going to miss the parades and masquerades this year. So, we’ve decided to celebrate in our stores! We’ ve “dressed” our “parade” of beverages, with festive colors and the flavor of hazelnut! Our stores are also decorated for Carnival, featuring masquerade cups and 3 “specially made” drinks.
CONFETTI BEVERAGES
These delicious drinks are “sprinkled” with whipped cream, fresh grated hazelnut and colored truffles. To bring the carnival mood home, we have made our Confetti Blend available, to buy at our coffee grinderies. This 100% specialty Arabica with roots from Ethiopia and Brazil will take you on a flavor trip with its unique notes of chocolate, almond, flowers and citrus. Is that the end of the party?
OF COURSE NOT!
Beverages are always best with something on the side. Our Espresso Breakfast Carnival Edition is served with a Traditional Flour Pie or a Butter Croissant. The perfect accompaniment to your Confetti drink.
CONTEST
Join us on our festively-dressed microsite to participate in our Super Contest! The Confettypes Quiz can make you a winner and also helps you to select the Confetti beverage that suits you, based on your personality. You just need to click here and for 5 days, from 11/3 to 15/3, get ready to feel lucky and festive!
LAST BUT NOT LEAST…
We are also feeling festive on Spotify! Our carnival song lists are ready for you, so that you can BAM-ΒO-LEO in your living room and kitchen! And because you’ll need a carnival mask, we’ve got you covered! Make your own DIY unique creation for your Home Carnival from us! How can you access all of this? Just click here and we’ll get you ready to party! We will take you on a “trip” to Carnival…from our home in Patras to yours.
