Kolida Babo
On Christmas Eve, Eordaia celebrates the Nativity with the vibrant custom of “Kolida Bampo”, connected to nighttime caroling traditions. On Christmas Eve, Eordaia celebrates the joyful message of the Nativity in its own traditional way. The custom of “Kolida Babo” is associated with the nighttime carols which children would sing to their grandmothers as they awaited their gifts. On the evening of December 24th, large bonfires are lit in the town squares, using torches collected by residents in the preceding days. The flames rise impressively, illuminating people’s faces and putting smiles upon them, in a truly festive atmosphere. Crowds gather around, and you can hear everyone shouting “Kolida Babo!” while dancing, singing, and local treats transform the night into a genuine community celebration. The fire symbolizes purification and the driving away of evil, but, above all, it strengthens the sense of one large family welcoming the birth of Christ. Feel the pulse of this custom in Asvestopetra, Ermakia, Olympiada, and Kardia, where the flames come alive each year.
