Greeks dress up for Carnival.

Greek dress up for Carnival., a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

Fires in the street, loud explosions go off every few seconds and the place is full of people wearing masks. No, not a riot, but rather the Greek Carnivali in which people wear fancy dress, dance, drink and celebrate the last day before Orthodox Lent begins.

This year I found myself in a small, picturesque village in central Greece, visiting my daughter and her mother who have recently moved from Thessaloniki to be be closer to their family there and hoping to find a way of making a living, something that has become more and more difficult in the country's urban areas.

Economic woes aside, people took comfort in the plethora of traditions Greece still retains and for a while forgot all their worries and just laughed, danced and enjoyed the moment.

Riot police sent in to quell Greek carnival disturbances

Greek riot police were deployed against teenagers who had blocked roads in the centre of Greece's second city, Thessaloniki last night during Carnivali celebrations, the Greek Orthodox equivalent of Mardi Gras.

Hundreds of teenagers burned garbage bins, let off fireworks and hurled objects at the platoons of riot police on duty in the centre of the port city. The officers accompanied fire engines which quickly doused the fires in Mitropoleos St.

Traditionally, Tsiknopempti or "Burnt Thursday" marks the countdown to the start of Lent for Greek Orthodox Christians and is celebrated by fancy dress parties and carnivals across the country. However, the usually raucous atmosphere was more charged than previous years, a reflection that the effects of the riots and protests that swept Greece in December and January following the police shooting of a 15 year old are still being felt.

Now Public

Tsiknopempti

Last night was Tsiknopempti (Τσικνοπεμπτη) or "Burnt Thursday" when the whole of Greece turns into a huge outdoor bbq as part of the run up to Greek orthodox Lent. Also it's the time for everyone to dress up in fancy dress, dance and generally have a good time.

A picture I didn't take

The street near the school is full of kids having fun. Tonight the whole city is celebrating and everyone is in fancy dress, shouting, dancing full of mischief. Only the lines of riot police nonchalantly caressing their shields, warily eying those passing by seem not to notice today is a holiday. I wonder why so many armed men are needed to keep boisterous teenagers in check.

Carnavali is almost here

, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.