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The cycle of Easter customs in western Macedonia begins on the Saturday of Lazarus, where the “Lazarines” from Aiani, Krokos, Lefkopigi, Kaisaria, Rodiani and Ag. Paraskevi Kozani, with their colorful traditional costumes, start to sing Lazaratika songs in the neighborhoods of their villages and dance the “Chinsiro” dance in the squares.
According to the traditional ritual, the Lazarines are girls from childhood up to the time of marriage, but this is not the case nowadays since today women of all ages participate. There is no girl in the family who does not play the role of Lazarina at least once, and there is no family that does not have at least one colorful costume, the fabrics of which have been created on local looms in the area.
The Lazarines usually gather in a specific house – they call it a konaki – and in groups they visit all the neighborhoods of the village, sing Easter or improvised songs, which suit the wishes and the situation of the family.
They trace their origins to the “Parthenia”, the characteristic dances by groups of girls of the Doric cities of the north. Later, in the Byzantine years, they were associated with the Resurrection of Lazarus, the rebirth of nature and the renewal of life. Only the girls take part in the custom and their main characteristic is dancing and singing without any participation of musical instruments.
Tags: Lazarines Kozani Cityportal .gr
