Ragoutsaria
Every year, on the day of Epiphany, the Ragoutsaria start in Kastoria.
The city welcomes a lot of people who wish to celebrate the carnival with plenty of alcohol and local dishes, under the sound of brass instruments. Here you can listen to brass bands from Greece, but also from the whole Balkan peninsula. The events last until January 8th bringing the festive period of Christmas into a fitting end. On the last day, the crowd of carnivalists gathers at the traditional square of Kastoria, at Doltso, where the best costume is awarded.
The word Ragoutsaria comes from the Latin rogatores, which means beggars, since the disguised people ask treats from the householders, in order to frighten the mischievous spirits with their costumes.
