“Genitsaroi and Boules” (Γενίτσαροι και Μπούλες), Naousa, Greece

Описание: On February 22, 2026, Naoussa in northern Greece hosted one of its most important annual cultural events:

🎭 “Genitsaroi and Boules” (Γενίτσαροι και Μπούλες)

This is the city’s most iconic traditional Carnival ritual, taking place during the Greek Apokries season (the period before Orthodox Lent).

🔹 What is the Event About?

The celebration dates back more than 300 years and is considered one of the most authentic folk traditions in Macedonia.

Participants:
Are exclusively male
Wear elaborately handcrafted traditional costumes
Put on distinctive white wax masks
Follow strict ceremonial rules
Move through the city accompanied by live traditional Macedonian music

🔹 Historical Background

The ritual is linked to the Ottoman period. According to local tradition, it symbolized:
Cultural resistance
Preservation of Greek identity
A coded form of social expression under occupation
Over time, it evolved into a ceremonial carnival performance while retaining its symbolic structure.

🔹 What Happens on the Day?

On Sunday, February 22, 2026:
Participants gathered in traditional houses early in the morning.
They dressed in full costume following specific ritual procedures.
The group paraded through the old town streets.
Musicians accompanied them throughout the procession.
The ceremony culminated in the central square with collective dances.
The entire city becomes part of the performance space.

🔹 Cultural Importance

Recognized as an element of Greece’s intangible cultural heritage
One of the most distinctive carnival traditions in northern Greece
Attracts visitors from Thessaloniki, Veria, and beyond
Strengthens regional identity in Imathia and the Vermio mountain area

VR Video by: Emile B. Kas Nasrallah | www.emile.Tel