Hello meat lovers who also happen to learn or simply like Greek!
This post is for you.
Today we’re going to talk about a Greek celebration that may not be very well known abroad but it is very fondly celebrated by Greeks and they celebrate it mystagogically every year.
Two celebrations Greeks wait eagerly for throughout the year.
One is Easter and the other is…Tsiknopempti.
Is Tsiknopempti an Excuse for Another Big Food Celebration?
Definitely yes! I mean if Greeks love something very much, it’s food. We have one of the best cuisines in the world. I take no argument to that. And what Greeks really know well is to express their love through food. I mean if you have ever been invited to a Greek home you know what I mean. Refusing food is not really an option.
We love you, we feed you. We don’t take no for an answer.
So, with all that said, you already have an idea why we love Tsiknopempti so much.
But What is This Tsiknopempti Anyway?
Tsiknopempti is the absolute celebration of meat. We eat meat, more meat, even more meat and we end with meat. If you happen to be in Greece during Tsiknopempti you might think that we haven’t eaten for days. No worries. That’s our norm for the day.
Tsikonpempti always takes place during the second week of Greek Carnival which is called Κρεατινή (Kreatiní), literally meaning “meat week”. During this time, people traditionally consume meat before the fasting period begins.
The word Tsiknopepmti, Τσικνοπέμπτη in Greek, comes from two words:
– Τσίκνα (tsíkna) – the smoky smell of grilled meat fat and
– Πέμπτη (Pémpti) – Thursday
So basically… Smoky Thursday. Very suitable name, if you ask me.
The day is also deliberately chosen. In Orthodox tradition, Wednesday and Friday are fasting days, so Thursday became the perfect day for a big meat celebration before stricter fasting periods.
Where Does This Tradition Come From?
We really don’t know the exact origin of this tradition but it’s considered to have roots in ancient Dionysian (Βακχικές– Vakhikés ) celebrations of ancient Greeks and Latins.
Ancient celebrations often involved large feasts meant to encourage fertility and prosperity. A good φαγοπότι (fagopóti -feast or big food gathering) was believed to help earth become fertile and productive during spring.
Whether historically precise or not… meat, wine, and celebration still make perfect sense today.
Carnival and Tsiknopempti – The Connection
Greek Carnival (Απόκριες– Apókries) lasts for three weeks and prepares people for Σαρακοστή (Sarakostí), the long fasting period leading up to Easter.
Each week has different focus:
1. The first week is called Προφωνή (Profóní) – the opening week
2. The second is called Κρεατινή (Kreatiní) – meat week when Tsiknopempti happens
3. And the last is Τυρινή (Tiriní)- cheesy/dairy week, when meat is avoided,
Τσικνοπέμτη is also the moment when Carnival celebrations really “warm up”. I mean yeah, we are already in the Carnival celebrations but this is the day that more parties take place, people dress up and the festive atmosphere becomes visible everywhere.
What Should You Do on This Day?
If you are in Greece and you want to celebrate the day, just go out and eat. Simple.
That’s honestly the main activity. But here’s a tip. Make reservations early. Restaurants, tavernas, and grill houses are usually fully booked days or even weeks in advance.
If you are lucky enough and a Greek has invited you to celebrate the day, don’t say no to that! Just make sure that you haven’t eaten the week before.
What Do Greeks Eat on Tsiknopempti?
Well, when Greeks say meat, they mean a variety of it. Not just a single steak.
But let’s start with obvious one.
You can always eat σουβλάκι (souvlaki) i! Whether plain or with πίτα – píta. I mean yeah it contains meat and it’s delicious!
Here’s what they usually order.
Αρνί σούβλας (Arní soúvlas)
Lamb slowly roasted over open fire, often outdoors. Very festive and traditional.
Αρνίσια παιδακια (Arnísia paidákia)
Grilled lamb ribs, juicy and smoky, usually served with lemon.
Κοντοσούβλι (Kontosoúvli)
Bigger and thicker than souvlaki, very flavorful and slow roasted
Κοκορέτσι (Kokorétsi)
A very traditional dish. Not for everyone, but extremely popular
Προβατίνα (Provatína)
Stonger flavor than lamb, loved especially by meat enthusiasts
Greek Words and Expressions that You Need on Tsiknopempti
Vocabulary
Τσίκνα — tsíkna — smoky smell of grilled meat
Τσίκνισμα — tsíknisma — the act of grilling/meat feasting
Ψησταριά — psistariá — grill / barbecue
Κάρβουνα — kárvouna — charcoal
Σούβλα — súvla — spit for roasting meat Ψήνω — psíno — to grill
Κρεατικά — kreatiká — meat dishes / meats
Μεζεδάκια — mezedákia — small dishes / appetizers
Ταβέρνα — tavérna — traditional Greek restaurant
Ψητοπωλείο — psitopolío — grill house / souvlaki shop
Παρέα — paréa — group of friends/social circle
Κέρασμα — kérasma — something offered for free (food/drink treat)
Γλέντι — glénti — feast/party with food and music
Νηστεία — nisteía — fasting
Απόκριες — Apókries — Carnival
Σαρακοστή — Sarakostí — Lent
Expressions
Πού θα τσικνίσεις σήμερα;
Poú tha tsiknísis símera?
Where are you going to grill/eat meat today?
Very natural verb that Greeks use on that day.
Έχει πέσει πολλή τσίκνα σήμερα!
Échi pési pollí tsíkna símera!
There’s a lot of grilled meat smoke today!
You’ll hear this when streets are full of grills.
Καλή Τσικνοπέμπτη!
Kalí Tsiknopémpti!
Happy Tsiknopempti!
Simple Greeting.
Καλό τσίκνισμα!
Kaló tsíknisma!
Happy grilling! / Enjoy the meat feast!
Another very common greeting for the day
Ψήνετε σήμερα;
Psínete símera?
Are you grilling today?
Very natural question between friends or neighbors.
Μη ντρέπεσαι, φάε!
Mi ntrépese, fáe!
Don’t be shy, eat!
Classic Greek host phrase.
A Final Note on Tsiknopempti
Tsiknopempti at first glance might feel like just a gathering where we eat meat but it’s more than this. It’s a celebration of togetherness, tradition, laughter and the Greek love for gathering around food. It’s a reminder of how deeply food and social connection is written in Greek DNA. Food and especially sharing food is love and this is what really matters for Greeks.
So, if you’re around Greece on Tsiknopempti, just follow the smoke and you won’t be disappointed. Just make sure that you’re hungry. Really hungry.
Καλό τσίκνισμα!
