This Easter, all roads lead… to Livadia

If you want to celebrate a real Roumeliot Easter, the municipality of Livadia, in collaboration with the region of Sterea, is organizing a number of interesting events.

In the village of Rumeli, traditions and customs have been respectfully observed for centuries. One of them is called “to έθιμο του λάκκου”. The “custom of the pit” has been preserved for many years and is an attraction for visitors. A pit is a common grill, part of a garden, yard, block or square where the Easter feast will take place. The organizers of the city's “pits” wake up early in the morning to light a fire with the Resurrection candle in the pile of grapevines they have collected since the evening before.

The city is shrouded in clouds of smoke, and mind-blowing smells permeate the atmosphere. And now everything is ready to roast the lamb. Friends and relatives exchange visits from pit to pit. Visitors to the city passing through these so-called “corners of gluttony”, located in different quarters of the city, receive wishes and treats: they are offered a red egg, as well as a snack and a glass of wine. The party usually lasts until late in the evening.

“The Easter celebration is for our city a point of connection with its historical past, symbolizing its privileged position in the period before and after the Turkish occupation. Our goal is to preserve the “custom of the pit” that we have inherited and spread it, so that the new generation will grow up religiously observing the traditions, as we do today,” says the mayor of Levadia, Dimitris Karamanis.

“This is the preservation of a custom that is passed down from generation to generation, this is our culture. We must preserve our morals and customs and promote them. This is our identity,” says Lieutenant Governor for Cultural Tourism, Ms Fani Papatoma.

This year for Easter, the residents of Livadia made sure that it would be unforgettable for everyone. Find out more about Easter custom of “pits” in Livadia on municipal website.

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