Greeks celebrate carnival on great 'Ghost Night'
The Peninsula
Amfissa, Greece: The clanking of cowbells signals the arrival of the ghost of Amfissa, as a sound system spits out the cries of ferocious beasts and c...
Amfissa, Greece: The clanking of cowbells signals the arrival of the ghost of Amfissa, as a sound system spits out the cries of ferocious beasts and crowds of carnival-goers brandish smartphones.
In this small town in central Greece, close to the ancient sanctuary of Delphi, "Ghost Night" is the culmination of festivities celebrated across the country this weekend.
Amfissa's ghost is a giant monster made of cardboard, rope and fabric, parading through the night. The head is misshapen, teeth long and eyes bulging.
For the last three decades, the nocturnal revelries mark the story of the tragic destiny of a local Romeo and Juliet, held on the last Saturday before the start of Orthodox Lent.
The star-crossed lovers are called Constantis, a hard-working and conscientious tanner, and Lenio, a young girl from Amfissa.
