Thousands gather for traditional Greek carnival

The Patras Carnival held since 1829 in the Greek city of Patras, was celebrated this year despite economic dire straits the country faces. Nearly 35 thousand people celebrated the carnival with colourful costumes and dances in the streets of Patras. The motto of the carnival this year was "like a fairy tale." "I wish there would be a carnival every day. Greeks don't spend much any more to have fun because of the economic crisis. Our only wish is that our country get rid of the crisis and we turn back to our old days," Kostas Serupis, owner of a cafe in the centre of Patras, told the Anadolu Agency. In a 40-day fast that follows the carnival called "Clean Monday," Greeks do not consume red meat and dairy products until the Easter.