Moschato Carnival celebrates different cultures of the world
In competition with its more famous sister in Patras, the annual Carnival festival in the southern Athens municipality of Moschato has grown over the years into the biggest and most exciting in Attica. This year’s theme is the history and traditions of various parts of the world, which, with the participation of 18 societies of foreigners living in Greece, weaves a colorful patchwork in celebration of multiculturalism. Already under way, the festivities culminate with a big parade on March 6, starting at 3.30 p.m. from the Moschato electric railway station, weaving through Makriyianni and onto Poseidonos Avenue, where it will end with the burning of the traditional effigy of the Carnival king on the Ilissos River and a fireworks display, followed by a concert by Michalis Hadziyiannis. The events leading up to the parade will be held at the new Polychoros venue, a large tent on the corner of Poseidonos and Capodistriou streets, located across the street from the Moschato tram stop. This venue has been specially designed to accommodate the Carnival festivities and is equipped with a playground that is open daily, two events halls and a live link to radio stations. The program includes traditional Greek music and dances (March 3, from 7 p.m.), a rock and hip-hop concert (March 4, from 7 p.m.) and a big dance party on Saturday, March 5, with DJ Nino Vourliotis. To facilitate revelers, the Moschato Municipality has set up a bus service running from the Town Hall to Polychoros from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. with free parking available in the Town Hall parking lot during those times.
