Agia Eleni
Anastenaria
On May 21, the feast day of Saints Constantine and Helen, the custom of the Anasthenarians is revived in the village of Agia Eleni in the Municipality of Skoutares. It is an ancient custom of firing that was saved by the Greek refugees of Eastern Thrace (Saranda Ekklesies, Agathoupoli) and bears religious elements of antiquity. The ceremony begins on May 20 with the sacrifice of a young male animal (qurbani) and the preparation of the participants in the "estrous shock" (ecstasy) to then proceed to the firing (or acaya). The next day, the Anasthenarides carry the bell-shaped images of the Saints (the "chares") to the place of the holy sanctification. It is said that the Saints help the Anasthenarides to carry out the firing. In the afternoon they light the sacred fire and when the thraka is formed, the Anasthenarides arrive holding the sacred icons, dancing in circles around the fire and passing over the burning coals to the sounds of musical instruments (lyre, tambourine). This is how the public firing takes place.

Monoklisia
Feminism
In the villages of Monoklisia and Ano Kamila of Mitrousi Municipality, the custom of feminism is revived every year on January 8, or otherwise the celebration of Babos (the midwife). The custom was brought to Serres by the refugees from Eastern Thrace. On this day, women take power into their own hands and pour water on any man who dares to walk on the street. They gather, wearing traditional costumes, at the house of the oldest woman (Bambos) to honor her for the services she offered to the world as a midwife. This is followed by a great feast among women with music, dances and traditional Thracian dishes.

Neo Souli
Dragon Slaying
On April 23, the custom of Dragon Slaying is revived in Neo Souli of the Municipality of Emmanuel Pappa. It is said that there lived a dragon who controlled the water of the spring and demanded as a sacrifice to release the water the most beautiful girl in the village. When the lot fell to the queen, she begged God for her salvation, as a result of which Saint George appeared and killed the dragon. Every year there is a reenactment of the custom. The action begins with the first dance around the temple of Prophet Elias, where young girls participate singing church hymns. Afterwards, they are taken to the church of Agios Georgios where the married women dance. Finally, there is a reenactment of the Dragon Slaying. A girl is led to the village square, where the statue of the dragon is located, accompanied by two young women dressed in black. A young man appears on a white horse, kills the dragon and saves the girl. The event concludes with the traditional feast with dances and local delicacies.

Pentapolis
Custom of Dudula
Since 2005, every year on August 15, the custom of "Dudula" (the moving bush) is revived in Pentapolis, the capital village of Darnakochoria. This is an ancient Greek custom related to Ombrius Zeus, the god who brings the life-giving rain. A group of villagers clothe an unmarried man with long pond grasses (the bouzia) and bushes. "Dudula", the human animated bush, roams the village with drumsticks and jingles, dancing and shouting "vai - vai dudula, too much rain - too much rain". The people, wishing for rain, douse him with water. This is followed by a procession of the holy icon of Agios Athanasios, patron of the village.

Proti Serron
Custom of Dervena
The custom of Fireworks is revived in Proti Serron on the last Sunday of Halloween. Two months in advance, each district of the village gathers holly and boughs to carry out the custom. The goal of each district is to create the biggest fire possible. On the night of the ritual, the dervena of each district is gradually lit, symbolizing the burning of people's hatred and envy. The custom is completed in the central square of the village with dancing, wine and various delicacies (mainly pies and sarmades).

Flambouro
Custom of Kalogeros
The custom of Kalogeros is revived on Tyrini Sunday and Clean Monday, in the village of Flambouro and in Agia Eleni Serres. It comes from Eastern Rumilia and is associated with the fertility of the land. The participants in the custom are mostly men. Kalogeros is a man, who wears sheepskin and a gourd with peppers on his head, and is accompanied by the "king" and instrumentalists in various houses of the village. Housewives throw seeds at them and Kalogeros crosses their house wishing for a "good harvest". The procession ends in the afternoon with the arrival of the cart in the village square and the virtual representation of plowing and sowing.

Nea Tyroloe
Custom of Klidona
The custom is revived on June 23 and 24 in Nea Tiroloi in the Municipality of Skotoussa. "Klidon" in ancient times meant news, omen, divination ("from Klidon voices") and jumping over the fires was related to the worship of Dionysus and Adonis. Today it is considered a way to ward off evil spirits and maintain our health. In South Tyrol, on June 23, unmarried girls gather and each one throws a personal metal object into a container of water (the so-called silent, because they take it from the tap without speaking). The container is covered with a red cloth and left overnight in the open air. On June 24, they gather for the 2nd time and the oldest woman of the village "reads" the metal objects and prophesies the future of each girl.

Nigrita
Gerakinia
Every year in the week of Easter Gerakinia are organized in honor of Gerakina. Gerakina, born in Nigrita (Tsoukalades) in 1854, was known for her beauty. During the events, its history is reenacted to the sounds of the folk song of the same name.

Lake Kerkini
At the end of August, the Ecological Festival "On the banks of Kerkini" takes place, in the area of ​​the port of Kerkini, which includes various cultural and musical events.

Editor: Niki Kalopaidis