Custom of Fire in Achlada village

Children gathered wood and straw balls, they would like to make the fire as big as possible. The biggest of course is always the one in the town of Florina, but them, they want at least to have a bigger fire than the one of the neighboring village of Yiourouki.

Reaching Florina, the place was disappointing though. Urban environment, cars, rubbish bins. At a local cafe one of the brass bands entered playing the music of Bregovic as loud as possible.. Tsipouro and the warm wood-burning stove definitely helped the atmosphere.

Children gathered wood and straw balls, they would like to make the fire as big as possible. The biggest, of course, is always the one in the town of Florina, but them, they want at least to have a bigger fire than the one of the neighbouring village of Yiourouki.

The fire at Yiourouki would be lit first so He went along with the kids into the darkness towards Yiourouki.

Some locals have gathered in a house which is by the place of the fire.

Locals got out of the house because the fire started burning. Everybody exchanged wishes, kissed each other and then entered the house to continue the celebrations.

By midnight, the fire was lit. It was so much bigger than the previous one. They had to keep distance because it burned their faces. Everybody was so happy. People in groups sat around the fire, drunk and ate until the fire stopped burning.