Let the festivals begin

ALL over Greece it's Festival time. The build up to Easter, the really big event of the year, bigger even than Christmas, is celebrated with events, festivities and parades.
  From large cities right through to smaller villages they all hold their festivals. The nearest village to us to stage event was Agriana, and we went along to catch up with the fun. It's another big social event, people you do not know still come up wishing you well, shaking your hand, sharing a glass of wine as the activities unfold.
  For the families it's a chance to dress up their children in best party outfits, they line the streets waiting to catch a glimpse perhaps of somebody they know. The events are usually on the Saturday/Sunday and then on Monday it is "Clean Monday" at which the majority stop eating meat and dairy products, and another chance to party.
  The biggest one to us is at Sissi along the coast, staged around the pretty harbour. Yesterday in Agriana the sun shone, today started wet, got wetter before the sun poked through late in the day. For the organisers of the party it was a nightmare. They place out hundred of tables and chairs, bowls of special bean soup are produced along with taramasalata, fava, salads and halva. They provide drinks also free of change, and then the music starts and dancing takes over. Despite the rain, people still came out, albeit later.