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At the beginning of each January, Kastoria welcomes the new year, in a very unique way. A celebration called Ragoutsaria, whose origins are lost in time. In most areas of the region, Ragoutsara is celebrating the first two days of the year. There is an exception at the city of Kastoria, where celebrations are lasting three days, from January 6 to January 8. The particular name Ragoutsaria is probably coming from the Latin rogatores which means a beggar and reminds the groups of masquerades who run from neighborhood to neighborhood seeking treats to drive away the evil spirits . Celebrations continued unceasingly through the centuries with music, dancing, singing and masquerading. Those who participated were courageous from the anonymity offered by the mask that hijacked passers-by. Today in the city, locals and visitors participate in groups, called “bouloukia”, with their own bands, at early afternoon of Theophants and do not leave before the first light of day. On the second day, Ai Gianniou, the rhythm rises. From noon onwards, the whole city is vibrant with music and dances all around. And the celebrations end on January 8th. The bouloukia and the people watching the parade end up in the old Byzantine square of Doltso, where the bands of the dancers compete with each other.
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