Kourbani
In the Municipality of Velventos, traditional kourbania is a living element of local identity, as through them residents honor the saints, thus strengthening the local sense of the community. The kourbani is an old ritual offering of an animal in honor of a saint, to which the entire community contributes; the meat, usually cooked with grains such as bulgur or cracked wheat, simmers for hours in large cauldrons before it is finally served to everyone present. If you find yourself at one of the following kourbania of Velventos, be sure to taste the food — it is the most direct way to savor a piece of the area’s culinary heritage and overall tradition.
On May 2nd, the memory of Saint Athanasios is celebrated at the Holy Church of Agia Kyriaki. Following the Divine Liturgy, a kourbani is set up in the village square, where a very tasty bulgur served with lamb meat courtesy of residents’ offerings is cooked in five 100-kilogram cauldrons. Needless to mention that the feast is accompanied by live music and dancing.
On July 26th, the village of Polyfyto honors its patron saint, Saint Paraskevi, with church service, doxology and a traditional festival with kourbani. Here too, the distribution of bulgur with meat cooked with great care stands out. Folk instruments and dancing, which continue unabated, complete the festive scenery.
