The Carnival of Kastrí offers a tangible way to experience a local tradition: a submission to the intangible cultural heritage register dated February 12, 2026, links its origins to the period of Ottoman rule, when Greeks persecuted by the Turks visited their families; velvet costumes with gold embroidery and white masks define its appearance. For travelers interested in culture and customs, this brings together two distinct perspectives: the story of its origins and the specific details of the costumes.

Story of the Origins

The submission to the intangible cultural heritage register dated February 12, 2026, links the origins of the Carnival of Kastrí to the period of Ottoman rule, when Greeks persecuted by the Turks visited their families. Family visits are at the heart of this origin story, which places the custom in a specific historical period. It offers a different perspective from the costume description: one focuses on the history associated with the custom’s beginnings, the other on the appearance of the masked participants. If local traditions are also a factor in choosing a destination, the origin story recounted in the submission provides a historical point of reference for Kastri.

Costumes and Masks

The other masked participants wear traditional local velvet costumes with gold embroidery, as well as white masks with painted facial features. These details offer different points of focus: velvet identifies the material, gold embroidery the decoration, and the painted features the design of the masks. Those interested in textile design can focus on the fabric and embroidery; for the masks, the white color and painted facial features take center stage. Costume and mask can thus be distinguished as two elements of the attire, rather than grouped together under the blanket term “disguise.” This distinction makes the described appearance more specific.

Organization and Visitors

The submission to the intangible cultural heritage register dated February 12, 2026, names the cultural association “ΤΙΤΑΝΗ” as the main body responsible for organizing and continuing the custom on Clean Monday, and states that it has held this role for 31 years. Clean Monday is the specified occasion, while the association’s role describes the organizational side. The same submission records that the Carnival attracts numerous visitors from Epirus and Corfu. These two aspects answer different questions: Who is responsible for organizing it, and where do the visitors come from? Organization and visitors’ origins thus stand as separate points alongside the story and the attire.

How to Factor the Carnival into Your Travel Plans

The Carnival can influence your choice of destination in two ways: you may be interested in the custom’s historical origins, or you may time your stay around it. If you want to make the Carnival the reason for your trip, check before booking accommodation whether the date of the custom fits your planned travel period. If you are mainly interested in local traditions or the design of the masks, you can take these cultural aspects into account when choosing Kastri as your destination.

Discover more destinations: Vasilikos, Dilofo, Sagiada, Perdika, Glyki, Neráïda, Karavostasi, Margariti

For the overview of the wider region: Thesprotia.