Are you considering visiting Kefalonia for the long weekend between 28th of February to the 3rd of March. Well the carnival in Lixouri will definitely persuade you to go ahead and book a weekend island getaway to Lixouri, Kefalonia that lives and breathes the carnival spirit.
The carnival in Lixouri is a tradition deeply rooted in time. It is a celebration with ancient Dionysian origins that has evolved within the cultural context of the island. Over the centuries, colonisations and settlements have shaped and influenced the carnival but it has managed to maintain its vitality and special colour. The villages of this area have maintained the carnival’s authentic popular character, while in the town of Lixouri, although it has adapted to the needs of society, it has never lost its satirical and artistic identity.
With the arrival of the Venetians, the carnival of Lixouri received Western influences, which were harmoniously integrated with local tradition. The Giostres, equestrian competitions of Byzantine and Western origin, became part of the celebrations, while during the English rule, the ‘Kantriles’ and the ‘Lancières’, dances of Western officers, added a cosmopolitan aura to the carnival.
The imagination and creativity of the people of Lixouri know no limits. One of the most memorable carnival performances was the satire of the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus. In this re-enactment, Lixouri was transformed into “Colombia”, with the inhabitants participating enthusiastically: the locals played the natives, while another group, arriving from the sea, represented Columbus and his crew. This masquerade went down in history, giving the people of Lixouri the nickname ‘Colombians’.
As the city grew and modernized, the narrow streets gave way to wider ones, allowing for the impressive growth of carnival chariot structures. The chariots, created with care and meticulousness, became a trademark of the Lixouri Carnival, testifying that this celebration was not just an annual event, but a deeply rooted expression of local identity and culture.
The Lixouri carnival has kept the satire, the teasing, and the participation of everyone unchanged, making it an authentic, pan-Kefalonian event. This tradition is not continued out of habit, but out of an inexhaustible need to express and create. For the people of Lixouri the carnival spirit flows through their blood; through it, they express their imagination and their inexhaustible desire to spread laughter and joy. And so, every year, Lixouri is filled with music, colours, and cheerfulness, proving that its carnival flame remains unquenched through the centuries.
This year the Lixouri Carnival consists of 25 thematic groups and around 2,000 participants. The total duration of the carnival has grown over the years, reaching a total duration of 16 days, culminating in the final parade. The final extravaganza parade, it is expected to be attended by thousands of Kefalonians and visitors since the carnival’s reputation has far exceeded the island’s boundaries and is visited by carnivalists from all over the country. During these 16 days, carnival workshops, themed dance parties, big concerts by renowned artists, and games for both young and old are organized in an effort to make everyone feel happy and joyful.
