Παραστατικά φαινόμενα του ελληνικού λαϊκού πολιτισμού στα βαλκανικά και τα ευρωπαϊκά τους συμφραζόμενα ; Performative phenomena of Greek folk culture in Balkan and European context

The present article provides an overview of the main ritualistic masks, disguises, and improvised scenic plays in South-Eastern Europe performed during quête-song processions in winter and spring. These may be considered the first steps in the evolution towards organised, more complex folk theatre performances, which usually take place in the festive carnival season. The presentation starts from Greek material and proceeds to comparative approaches of similar phenomena in other Balkan regions as well as Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Rumania, Bulgaria, Albania, Turkey, and Asia Minor.