Tsiknopempti (Greek:Τσικνοπέμπτη,romanized: Tsiknopémpti[t͡sik.noˈpem.pti]) is part of the traditional celebrations of Apókries (Απόκριες),[1] theGreek Carnival season. Tsiknopempti occurs on the second to last Thursday beforeLent and can be translated asCharred Thursday orSmoky Thursday. It centers on the consumption of large amounts of grilled and roasted meats before Lenten fasting commences.[2]
Apokries (Carnival season) in Greece is made up of three themed weeks of celebration. These weeks are, in order:Prophoní (Προφωνή, 'Preannouncement Week'),Kreatiní (Κρεατινή, 'Meat Week'), andTiriní (Τυρινή, 'Cheese Week').[2] Tsiknopempti is the Thursday ofKreatiní and represents a highlight in a weeklong celebration of meat consumption. The festivities on Tsiknopempti revolve around large outdoor parties where massive amounts of meat are grilled or roasted.
Often Tsiknopempti-like celebrations will occur again, generally on a smaller scale, the following Sunday which marks the final day meat can be eaten before the beginning of theGreat Lent, the strict fasting season that leads up toEaster.[3] In theGreek Orthodox tradition,fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays is important, therefore Thursday is the best day for Tsiknopempti.[4] Tsiknopempti is celebrated 11 days beforeClean Monday (often referred to in English as Ash Monday, to allude to Ash Wednesday in the West, however in Orthodox tradition there is no imposition of ashes). After Tsiknopempti, the next major celebration of Apokries isTirofágos (Τυροφάγος) during the week ofTiriní which focuses on the consumption of cheese, eggs, and dairy.
InLebanon, a similar tradition exists and is known asKhamis el sakara (Thursday of drinking).
Similar celebrations known asFat Thursday are held in many other countries.
The Greek wordΤσικνοπέμπτη (Tsiknopempti) is made up of the wordsτσίκνα (tsíkna,lit. 'the smell of roasting meat') andΠέμπτη (Pémbti, 'Thursday').[5]