Traditional celebration of Clean Monday - Koulouma
Just before spring comes Clean Monday gives the trigger for people to pour into the countryside and beaches to fly kites and enjoy the traditional Lenten table. Children, young and old, have one more reason to be happy on this day because after the long winter it is the first time they can indulge in outdoor activities as a group.
So I spent this day at my parent's's home in Glyfada in Athens with my parents, my family and my brother's family. Our children are 3 to 7 years old and they couldn't wait to fly the kite so we set off for the foothills of Ymittos. The day was fortunately favourable, sunny with a light breeze just enough for the kite to fly smoothly.
Crowds of people gathered for the traditional kite flying
A lot of people had been gathered, families with children and groups with older children. The adults lifted it up and then the little ones took over to hold the twine one by one. Every time a little one was holding the twine the kite was losing height, 2-3 times it fell but in order for them to be happy it was necessary. Of course there was no shortage of unexpected things with the twine tangling with other kites. The flying in general went well the children were very happy to hold the string of the kite while it was flying to feel the force of the wind. Year after year I can say that I am getting better and better at flying because it gives joy to the children.
After giving it all literally we gathered at home to eat the traditional Lenten meals that the day dictates. My mother, my wife and brother's wife took over there. The table included fried squid with french fries, handmade tarama, two salads, tomato and cabbage salad, feta, lagana, bulk wine and of course halva for dessert.
The lenten table
The halva
Everything went perfectly and we are already looking forward to the next Clean Monday for kite flying and food!
