Kozani Carnival is not a custom that revives the days of the festive twelfth day. it is about a live Dionysian feast which has been repeated by its inhabitants for the last three centuries. The core of this celebration is Lamp.
How many years passed, Ottoman period, liberation, wars, multitude of difficulties, no matter how much the architectural and spatial relief of the city has changed - from the mansions and huts of the time there are very few left in the city to remind the old self – the Kozani Carnival did not change, but adapted to the spirit of the times, to the extent of people's desires and passions. Singing in the very special Kozani language idiom dominates and for someone who is not properly prepared it can be shocking..
Holding hands, men and women around the fire sing songs of leventia, of love, love songs, songs with a strong element of self-sarcasm, of the daily adventure of the people but also songs that the elders of Fanos say that "they are only for adults". They rhythmically repeat the rhythmic words of the lead singer, such as the stories of the pope- Ragavela.
The lanterns of Kozani are based on the spontaneous participation of its inhabitants, who prepare it and lead the party with the traditional carnival songs or the so-called "xinetropa or the mocking". Lanterns throughout the city are lit during 8 on the night of the Great Carnival, and immediately the people of the neighborhood begin the song.
The wine flows abundantly, the traditional Kozani pies, the well-known "kichi", circulate everywhere and the circle around’ the fire grows. Do not hesitate to hold hands in the circle that spontaneously forms around the fire and repeat the words of the chief singer. The rest will come on their own. This archeological ceremony is so beautifully structured that one can hardly resist. In the end you will "catch" yourself singing with passion not only the songs of Fanos, or the jokes made by men and women but also the "hard" with the athyrostomic words called midnight. This is also the most characteristic moment during all the carnival events in Kozani.
In the songs of the Fans, the leading singer of the neighborhood who knows all the lyrics of the songs has a dominant role, he is eloquent and says it according to the occasion and the mood. If you find yourself in a lamp with a good lead singer, it is certain that you will wake up there. Of course we should add that the mocking and "xinentropa" songs of Carnival are not heard in any other celebration or happy occasion during the year except during the festive twelve days..
With,as to the origin of the custom, Many scholars of folklore support its direct connection with the ancient Dionysian festivals, and the Roman Saturnalia. The lamps have been loved by the world and thousands of visitors, especially young people, arrive in Kozani at least once to sing and dance to the sounds of bronze around the fire.
On Carnival Sunday at noon there is a parade of chariots prepared by the people of Fana with strong elements of self-sarcasm, On Carnival Sunday at noon there is a parade of chariots prepared by the people of Fana with strong elements of self-sarcasm. The custom requires the mayor to start the celebration by lighting the lamp in the main square and then he will dance to the most famous carnival purpose of the area the famous "eleven" to the sounds of wind and bronze.