Methoni – Pylos

Departure 09.00 in the morning from Saint Vasileios Square with destination the picturesque Methoni. There, the local association of Methoni organizes every year on Clean Monday the “parody of Koutrouli's Wedding”.

After the festive events, we visit Pylos and return late in the afternoon to Tripoli.

A few words about the custom as presented to us by the people of the local authorities of Methoni:

For the local population, but also for every visitor during the carnival period, Methoni is associated with the “Wedding of Koutrouli”. The well-known nationwide phrase “Koutrouli's wedding took place” which means something noisy that causes disturbance, confusion and comic situations is in itself a strong incentive for anyone who would like to experience similar moments and be given the opportunity to participate in the revelry and the procession of the wedding party before the wedding.

The dominant custom of the three-day carnival in Methoni is the revival of the “wedding”. Koutrouli was a historical figure who originated from Methoni. The knight kyrios Ioannis Koutrouli created an illegal bond with a woman who was already married and all efforts for divorce met with the refusal of the Church. The illegal cohabitation lasted seventeen years and was of interest to the residents of the area, since it was the first topic for gossip and teasing. When, however, in 1394 the woman presented a divorce act of her marriage from the Bishop of Methoni, she was allowed to marry Koutrouli. During the wedding, which was rather a celebration, the entertainment lasted several days, on the one hand to spite the first husband, on the other hand to satisfy and honor the much-suffering and much-spending Ioannis Koutrouli.

This real event of the late 14th century was accompanied by the need of the Methonians, shortly after the Occupation, to celebrate the Koulouma in the imposing space of the castle of Methoni. So the custom is revived every year on Clean Monday at 13.00 in the beach square with a parody of a wedding that contains many unexpected situations and satire of contemporary reality. The procession of the wedding party and all kinds of followers precedes it in the central streets of Methoni and of course, after the “wedding” a revelry follows. The organizers have taken care to offer the people bean stew, lagana and various Lenten dishes, while the surrounding taverns are also ready to satisfy every gastronomic desire.

The events, of course, start on Saturday with the search for the "lost divorce" and the celebration that follows with its discovery. On Sunday afternoon at 18.00, the presentation and blessing of the dowry and the wedding bed take place, ending with everyone gathering in the pedestrian street of the market, where a celebration follows and the crowd is offered souvlaki, toasted bread, and wine.

The texts are written by the organizers and are in fifteen-syllable verse.

TEXTS FROM KOUTROULI'S WEDDING

Dear friends of ours and you, the guests

will enjoy a wedding from our parts.

In our city, which you visited today

a groom is marrying and taking a bride.

A long time ago, many years ago, in our city's castle

a noble child was born, shining like a star.

He was baptized Ioannis and had a fairy as his godmother

who stood by him, hidden from sight.

He was a famous knight and a robust man

with a reputation for being very brave.

For many years, a girl loved him

and wanted him very much, always desiring him.

The girl, Arsana, was perfect in every way

with many charms and a daring spirit.

The girl had everything, rich and refined

but her only flaw was that she was married.

Divorce seemed like a difficult story

neither her husband nor the church would give it to her.

Time passed quickly with this and that

seventeen years went by, and the lilies withered.

And yet, everything changed, and a miracle happened

the City made a decision and sent a letter.

It asked the Despot for a solution, to give

and let our couple feel their mercy.

A grand wedding took place in distant Methoni

at the castle's extension, below the cannon.

The guests arrived from almost all parts

and the wedding became known throughout the world.

The celebration that followed was very big

and remained in history forever, without exception.

Cheer and entertainment give long life

so you too, celebrate like in the story.

We are waiting for you!!!!!!