A joint proposal for a European Program with the Famagusta Carnival, the Patras Carnival and the Putignano Carnival in Italy was submitted by the Municipality of Paralimni - Deryneia. The proposal, entitled "Mediterranean Exchange & Development Initiative for Carnival Arts, Rituals, Narratives And Vibrant Authentic Life" and acronym "MEDICARNAVAL", was submitted within the framework of the Creative Europe Culture Cooperation Small Scale Projects 2025 program. The proposal aims to create a network of carnival cities in the Mediterranean, with the aim of exchanging know-how, transnational cultural cooperation, the joint creation of artistic content and the promotion of carnival culture at a European level.
Through this cooperation, cities will have the opportunity to strengthen their position on the European cultural map, adopt modern promotion and organization tools, and formulate common strategies for the management and promotion of their local traditions.
The corporate structure of the proposal that has been prepared and submitted for evaluation consists of the Public Benefit Enterprise of the Municipality of Patras - Patras Carnival, the Fondazione Carnevale di Putignano of Italy and the Municipality of Paralimni - Deryneia - Famagusta Carnival as well as Connections Culture & Communications.
The Carnival of Putignano
Putignano in Puglia hosts one of the oldest Carnivals in the world. The first procession took place in 1394. The celebrations begin on December 26 with a grand feast. Two months of festivities follow, culminating in a series of parades during the week before Lent. Every evening up to 10.000 spectators come to watch the procession of floats carrying oversized floats. The grand finale takes place on the night of Ash Monday with a parade that ends with the 365 tolling of a bell.
Patras Carnival
The Patras Carnival or Patras Carnival is both the largest and oldest carnival event in Greece and one of the largest in the world in terms of carnival participation and its history. It has 196 years of history (1829-2025). The Patras Carnival is not a single event, but a set of events, which include dances, parades, a hidden treasure hunt, a carnival for children, etc. The events begin around January 17 and last until Clean Monday. They culminate on the last weekend of Carnival with the Night Podarati Parade of the crews on Saturday, the spectacular Grand Parade of chariots and crews on Sunday, and finally the ceremonial burning of the carnival king on the pier of Agios Nikolaos Street, in the northern port of Patras. The carnival floats also parade on Friday night before the Saturday parade in George I Square, in a central location that allows the public to take photos of them.
Famagusta Carnival
The Famagusta Carnival began to be organized in 2007 in the Municipality of Paralimni by volunteers and gradually became the largest event in the Famagusta district in terms of number of spectators and participants. In recent years, more than 2 thousand carnivalists participate in the big parade that takes place in Paralimni and more than ten thousand spectators flood the streets of the city. The events begin on Tsiknopempti with the crowning of the King or Queen of Carnival, continue on the eve of the big parade and culminate on Carnival Sunday, while the event program also includes other events for young and old. The events are organized and financed by the Municipality of Paralimni - Deryneia.
