Every winter, following the Orthodox Church’s celebration of Epiphany, locals of certain villages of the Balkan Peninsula perform animalistic masquerades and ritual dances to ward off evil spirits and awaken the coming spring.
These customs, which are believed to pre-date Christianity, are linked to fertility celebrations in honor of god Dionysus due to their paganistic nature and performance.
epa08114703 A participant prepares for the annual Bell-bearing tradition in the village of Kali Vrisi, Drama region, northern Greece, 08 January 2020 (issued 09 January 2020). Every winter, following the Orthodox Church’s celebration of Epiphany, locals of certain villages of the Balkan Peninsula perform animalistic masquerades and ritual dances to ward off evil spirits and awaken the coming spring. These customs, which are believed to pre-date Christianity, are linked to fertility celebrations in honor of god Dionysus due to their paganistic nature and performance. EPA-EFE/DIMITRIS TOSIDIS ATTENTION: This Image is part of a PHOTO SET
epa08114705 Participants perform during the annual Bell-bearing tradition in the village of Kali Vrisi, Drama region, northern Greece, 08 January 2020 (issued 09 January 2020). Every winter, following the Orthodox Church’s celebration of Epiphany, locals of certain villages of the Balkan Peninsula perform animalistic masquerades and ritual dances to ward off evil spirits and awaken the coming spring. These customs, which are believed to pre-date Christianity, are linked to fertility celebrations in honor of god Dionysus due to their paganistic nature and performance. EPA-EFE/DIMITRIS TOSIDIS ATTENTION: This Image is part of a PHOTO SET
epa08114718 Participants perform during the annual Bell-bearing tradition in the village of Volakas, Drama region, northern Greece, 07 January 2020 (issued 09 January 2020). Every winter, following the Orthodox Church’s celebration of Epiphany, locals of certain villages of the Balkan Peninsula perform animalistic masquerades and ritual dances to ward off evil spirits and awaken the coming spring. These customs, which are believed to pre-date Christianity, are linked to fertility celebrations in honor of god Dionysus due to their paganistic nature and performance. EPA-EFE/DIMITRIS TOSIDIS ATTENTION: This Image is part of a PHOTO SET
epa08114722 Participants perform during the annual Bell-bearing tradition in the village of Kali Vrisi, Drama region, northern Greece, 08 January 2020 (issued 09 January 2020). Every winter, following the Orthodox Church’s celebration of Epiphany, locals of certain villages of the Balkan Peninsula perform animalistic masquerades and ritual dances to ward off evil spirits and awaken the coming spring. These customs, which are believed to pre-date Christianity, are linked to fertility celebrations in honor of god Dionysus due to their paganistic nature and performance. EPA-EFE/DIMITRIS TOSIDIS ATTENTION: This Image is part of a PHOTO SET
epa08114788 Participants perform during the annual Bell-bearing tradition in the village of Kali Vrisi, Drama region, northern Greece, 08 January 2020. Every winter, following the Orthodox Church?s celebration of Epiphany, locals of certain villages of the Balkan Peninsula perform animalistic masquerades and ritual dances to ward off evil spirits and awaken the coming spring. These customs, which are believed to pre-date Christianity, are linked fertility celebrations in honour of god Dionysus due to their paganistic nature and performance. EPA-EFE/DIMITRIS TOSIDIS HUNGARY OUT
epa08114785 Participants prepare for the annual Bell-bearing tradition in the village of Volakas, Drama region, northern Greece, 07 January 2020. Every winter, following the Orthodox Church?s celebration of Epiphany, locals of certain villages of the Balkan Peninsula perform animalistic masquerades and ritual dances to ward off evil spirits and awaken the coming spring. These customs, which are believed to pre-date Christianity, are linked fertility celebrations in honour of god Dionysus due to their paganistic nature and performance. EPA-EFE/DIMITRIS TOSIDIS HUNGARY OUT
epaselect epa08114688 A participant poses for a photo during the annual Bell-bearing tradition in the village of Volakas, Drama region, northern Greece, 07 January 2020 (issued 09 January 2020). Every winter, following the Orthodox Church’s celebration of Epiphany, locals of certain villages of the Balkan Peninsula perform animalistic masquerades and ritual dances to ward off evil spirits and awaken the coming spring. These customs, which are believed to pre-date Christianity, are linked to fertility celebrations in honor of god Dionysus due to their paganistic nature and performance. EPA-EFE/DIMITRIS TOSIDIS ATTENTION: This Image is part of a PHOTO SET
epa08114790 Participants perform during the annual Bell-bearing tradition in the village of Kali Vrisi, Drama region, northern Greece, 08 January 2020. Every winter, following the Orthodox Church?s celebration of Epiphany, locals of certain villages of the Balkan Peninsula perform animalistic masquerades and ritual dances to ward off evil spirits and awaken the coming spring. These customs, which are believed to pre-date Christianity, are linked fertility celebrations in honour of god Dionysus due to their paganistic nature and performance. EPA-EFE/DIMITRIS TOSIDIS HUNGARY OUT
EPA-EFE/DIMITRIS TOSIDI
