Firewalking, or, as it is also called, Pyrovassia or Anastenaria, is an annual holiday that is celebrated from May 21 to 23 in northern Greece and consists in testing oneself with fire for the glory of Saints Helena and Constantine.
Instructions
Step 1
Make sure your international passport is valid for another 6 months from the date you leave Greece.
Step 2
Buy air tickets to Greece. Since the purpose of your trip will be its northern part, or rather the town of Langadas near Thessaloniki, choose a flight to Macedonia airport. Non-stop flights from Moscow are operated by the Greek company Aegean Airlines, flights with one intermediate connection are operated by Turkish Airlines, Aerosvit Airlines, Rossiya Airlines, Swiss Airlines, AlItalia, Austrian Airlines, LuftHansa. Airlines are listed in ascending order of ticket prices.
Step 3
Book your hotel for your entire stay in Greece. There are many hotels in Thessaloniki for every taste and budget. You will hardly find a hotel in the town of Langadas itself.
Step 4
Purchase a travel health insurance policy that is valid for the period of your trip.
Step 5
Apply for a Schengen visa to Greece. A complete list of documents required for its opening is presented on the official website of the Greek Embassy.
Step 6
Get to the city of Langadas. This can be done in three ways. Firstly, on a regular bus following this route. Secondly, by taxi. And, thirdly, by a rented car. The distance between the cities is approximately 20 km. Try to get to Langadas before lunchtime.
Step 7
Join the celebration or just watch. It takes place in the main square of the city. First, the inhabitants pray and repent of their sins, then they sacrifice an animal, usually a cow. After lunch, the celebration continues, a large fire is lit in the center of the square. Hot coals from it are laid out in a circle. The dances begin along the perimeter of the laid out coals, but those of the celebrants who prayed too earnestly and thereby put themselves into a trance, begin to dance in the center.
