The dance
The other day I went to this festival that people from Pontus have every year in my area. Pontus is the area where greek speaking colonies had been established on the shores of the Black Sea since ancient times (after facing persecution in the beginning of the 20th century, remaining Pontic people were expelled from Turkey to Greece as part of the exchange of populations between Greece and Turkey) I go every time because M’s dad was from there and my mum descends from Pontus too. M’s mum is involved in the organization of the festival and wants us there (she also literally shows us to her friends). I also go because I like pirrihios, a special war dance they perform. When it is danced well, it is one of the most moving things you can watch. But I don’t want to mislead you, I mostly go because of the huge open air market that operates on that day, with vendors from Russia, the Balkans, China, African countries etc, gathering there to sell slutty nighties, toys, kitchen utensils, linen, even food. Do you have days like these? When you want to mingle with people from all over the world, eat greasy food and buy silly things?
M took this picture. He got "you pervert!" looks from the women shopping there.
The simulation box takes you to the stars
It ended in fireworks
I got this from the chinese vendors
and these fridge magnets from the russian vendors
May 24th, 2006 at 6:35 am
That sounds like so much fun!
M isn’t a pervert - those nighties look quite cool in the light. My great friend M has a few light that hanging on the wall of her warm pink bedroom and they look really sweet.
May 24th, 2006 at 6:41 am
I would have enjoyed the open market as well; it looks like a great place to spend an afternoon, wandering around. We have “Greek Festival” here is Hlifax in the summer; I will go and post photos when it takes place so you can tell me if it is authentic or not:)
May 24th, 2006 at 8:18 am
If it could be arrangd you could ahve sold some of Days beads there
May 24th, 2006 at 9:41 am
Chloe, the fireworks photo
is brilliant - the photo’s
have such a happy energy to
them - great way to start my
morning!
and i love the gorgeous green
vase.
May 24th, 2006 at 9:50 am
We don’t get much of that here in Las Vegas. For that kind of multicultural festival or feeling, I have to drive to Los Angeles, a mere 4 hour drive from here. I am sure it happens in the bigger more cosmopolitan cities of the world..
“I love nighties”
May 24th, 2006 at 10:22 am
So do the slutty nighties cause the war dances to happen?
Close to me there are festival days, and open air bazaar days, where stalls and shops congregate in one large area equivalent to a couple of football fields soliciting trinkets, animals, greasy food, foot wear, and lotions usually worn before the donning of said slutty nighties. The food is wonderful, tasty, and incredibly greasy, but the electric happy feel of everyone pervades the place, and makes just being there a worthwhile experience. In short Chloe, I know what you’re talking about.
May 24th, 2006 at 10:46 am
Yes, I have days like that, though I usually concentrate on unusual food and avoid buing silly things. Silly things will only clutter up my desk and closet, which is already cluttered with my everyday stuff.
Granville Island Market in Vancouver though… that’s a great small vendor’s market with cool stuff to buy. I could spend a lot there. I think I did, actually.
And as usual, great photos.
May 24th, 2006 at 11:35 am
Isn’t that what Disneyland is for?
I’m into my slutty nightie years even though this is the first trip away from home where I didn’t support the “ladies of the dancing arts”. Sorry girls. I’ll make it up to you.
Forgive me. Travel days always stress me out. Pics on the blog tomorrow. Promise.
May 24th, 2006 at 1:24 pm
the first picture immediately made me think of Zorba, the Greek. do you hate that movie? this entire post made me remember so many different festivals and celebrations which I have attended that I’m bound and determined to actually create a post over on my spot. be sure to give me a day or two before it appears.
I enjoy learning history from your site. clearly I learned nothing in my high school world history class.
I really like the colors of that vase. the magnets remind me of those little dolls which have a series of smaller dolls inside of them. I cannot remember the name but I believe they are of Russian design also.
May 24th, 2006 at 3:45 pm
every day!!! every day i want to mingle with people from all over the world. what am i doing here in SC for crying out loud? i need to be on the streets of verona, in the pubs of london, the beaches of the mediterranean and the colorful markets of athens!!
greasy food sounds yum and the fireworks look like a swarm of jellyfish!! neat pics.
May 24th, 2006 at 4:34 pm
Wow, I like it! I think I’d enjoy it because I like greek music, in general (very general because I don’t know the sub-types of greek music at all…)
It happens in the local festivities, usually during the summer.
We have things like that over here too, except for the russians…they didn’t get here yet. But we have people from south america, especially Peru
May 24th, 2006 at 6:02 pm
You must live in a great location with all the exciting events that happen to you. We do have a carnival this weekend, but nothing with great vendors.
May 24th, 2006 at 7:32 pm
We have much smaller versions of festivals. I would have loved to attend the one there with you. Love the goodies you picked up for yourself.
Your picture of the fireworks is just beautiful.
Hugs,
Connie
May 24th, 2006 at 9:13 pm
What a wonderful day you must have had. I love these types of multi-cultural markets. What beautiful things you have photographed. Tee-hee at the looks your man got when photographing the nighties !!! I love you Chinese vase (it is a vase, isn’t it ?!?!) … very nice. Take care, Meow
May 24th, 2006 at 9:15 pm
Do I have days like these? Who doesn’t want to wear greasy nighties and eat slutty food every day?
May 25th, 2006 at 3:58 am
I love that kind of festival, and especially enjoy them in different countries! I should try to make it to Greece (which has never been high on my list of places to go to, but your posts move it up the list…that and my friend Mary who keeps telling me all sorts of things about Crete) next year to see it!
May 25th, 2006 at 6:20 am
think i’m one of the annoying people who don’t leave comments…sorry
thought i’d stand up and show myself so here goes:
got here from vista’s links and really like your blog!
your pics are lovely. you have a gift for seeing the beautiful in everyday things and make athens look like such a lovely, colourful place.(which it is, but not everyone can appreciate that). so thanks!
x
May 25th, 2006 at 8:54 am
Wow, what a blast!
Love your Russian babooshka doll magnets…they are so adorable :o)