Carnival Parade – Kolymbari 15th February

The 2nd Carnival of Associations in the Municipality of Platanias are organizing a carnival parade on Sunday, February 15 at 14.00, in Kolymbari, under the auspices of the Municipality of Platanias and the Region of Crete, 
The parade will progress from Kolymbari Harbour to the square at the crossroads of the Old National Road, where there will be a party with lots of surprises for children and adults.

With high spirits and in a mood for partying and dancing, the 20 carnival teams invite you to join them in their revels and to experience the festive Lenten atmosphere in the municipality of Platanias! The musical direction of the carnival will be in the hands of DJs Andreas Garyfalis and Lefteris Voulgarakis, while the presenter will be Dimitris Iliakis. 

The participating teams:
– the Cultural Association of Kolymbari (Waiting for the VOAK … with cones and sympathy!)
– the Cultural Associations of Vatolakkos and Alikianos (Villages of Mousouroi!)
– the Women’s Cultural Association of Rodopou (Robin of the Trojans!)
– the Youth Cultural Association of Ravdoucha (OPEKE …BAH …!*)
– the Cultural Association of Marathokefala (Fennel head-space!)
– the Cultural Development Association of Platanias (Platanian Tomatoes!)
– the Cultural Association of Maleme (Maleminions!)
– the Touring Club of Skines (Flintstones!)
– the “Unity” Cultural Association of Spilia (Spilia pushes the boat out!)
– the Cultural and Developmental Association of Gerani (The Geraniums!)
– the Cultural Association of Tavronitis (Tauromachies in Tavronitis!)
– the Gefyra [bridge] Amateur Theatre Group (The Players!)
– the Cultural Associations of Voukolies, Neo Chorio and Neriana (Barrel Organ, Poverty and F…rappé…!**)
– the Development Association of Patelari (Alive by Mistake!)
— the Summer Vocational High School of Platanias (Stitch!)
– the “Riza” Training Association of Karanos (Wanted, Peace!)
— Kolymbari High School (Hospital for Monsters!)
— the Kolymbari Women’s Association (We’ve been painting again!)
— the Cultural Association of Vouves (Vou-Vikings!)
– the Palaiochora Carnival Association!
We are waiting for you all!!!
(www.platanias.gr) 

* OPEKEPE (Payment and Control Agency for Guidance and Guarantee Community Aid) was the Greek government organisation hitherto responsible for managing funds from the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). It was shut down in 2025 following a major scandal in which substantial sums were found to have been paid out to Greek citizens, many of them not farmers, for fictitious agricultural holdings and livestock. 
The scandal led to ministerial resignations, and two figures nicknamed “Frappé” and “Butcher” were reported as key players in the illegal abstraction of millions of euros in Crete. The organisation was therefore ripe for satirical reference in this year’s carnivals.
**The title is a reference to a popular 1956 comedy film with the title “Laterna, Ftocheia kai Filotimo” (Barrel organ, poverty and self-respect).

Source: Municipality of Platanias and kolymbaricourier.com