Tsiknopempti

Tsiknopempti is a beloved Greek tradition that celebrates good food, great company, and the joy of Carnival. On this day, the air fills with the aroma of grilled meats as friends and families gather to feast and have fun. Join us in celebrating Tsiknopempti with delicious flavors, music, and a festive atmosphere.

Task

Soulibros Project organize an evening dedicated to Tsiknopempti, a Greek traditional feast day, where the aroma of grilled delights, shared tables, and joyful company come together to celebrate food, tradition, and togetherness.

  • Doors open

    20.00 pm

  • Until

    12.00 am

  • Club

    La Gitane

  • Location

    79-81 Bridge streets, Manchester M3 2RH

  • Live Greek Music

    The Greek Folks

#tsiknopempti

The Greek Folks

Tsiknopempti (Greek: Τσικνοπέμπτη) is a beloved part of the traditional Greek Apókries (Carnival) season celebrated on the second-to-last Thursday before Lent. The name combines tsikna (the smoky smell of grilled meat) and Pempti (Thursday), reflecting the central role of open-air barbecues and feasting on grilled and roasted meats.

This festive day marks one of the last opportunities in the Greek Orthodox calendar to enjoy meat before the 40-day Lenten fast begins, and it’s celebrated across Greece—with lively gatherings, outdoor grills, music, and a joyful atmosphere as families and friends come together.

The Greek Folks bring the soul of Greek music to life with the warm sounds of bouzouki and guitar. Blending traditional melodies with a lively, heartfelt energy, they create an atmosphere perfect for singing along, dancing, and celebrating together. Get ready for an authentic Greek musical experience that sets the tone for a memorable night

Story Line

Tsiknopempti sits within the broader Carnival period—the second week of Triodion, known as Kreatiní (Meat Week)—and is often followed by further celebrations, including smaller scale feasts and street parties before Clean Monday ushers in Lent

The history of this custom dates back to ancient Greece, where people dressed as satyrs followed processions of chariots in honor of the god Dionysus. Clever and "crude" jokes, teasing, and of course heavy drinking, which were inspired by the worship of the god of wine.

According to historical, documented sources, Tsiknopempti is first mentioned in Homer's Iliad, where it refers to the smoke and smell of sacrificial animals being roasted in honor of a god. The smoke from the burning rose to the sky as an offering to the gods, while the mortal warriors were left with the roasted meat to eat.

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