1.
"Welcome to Patras Carnival" says a big inscription at the gate of the city.


2.
A general view of the St. George's Square with the thousands of people.


3.
Crowds waiting the entry of the King Carnival.


4.
Officials seen at the special stand also wearing masks and holding umbrellas (among them Mrs. Constantine Tsaldaris, wife of the leader of the Popular Party and Mrs. Levidis, wife of the Marshal of the Court).


5.
King Carnival makes his entry leading the parade (various shots)


6.
The Queen of the Carnival follows.


7.
Hundreds of fancy-dressed and other chariots, including a Sputnik one, follow and close the parade (various shots).




Initials



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Since last Friday, thousands of people from all over Greece were arriving at Patras (North-western Greece) to attend at yesterday's triumphal traditional entry of King Carnival in the City. Thus, yesterday, some 30.000 people were present at the culminating parade of tens of chariots and hundreds of fancy-dressed pedestrians following King Carnival's chariot through the streets to the main square of Patras. There, later in the evening, after a battle of flowers and chocolates. King Carnival was burnt down. U.S. 6th Fleet Units' personnel and tourists from various Mediterranean cruises took part in this Carnival Festival.

During the entry of King Carnival the Police had taken various security measures to prevent disturbances and clashes between the crowds. And this, for a certain religious organization, the "Aghios Athanassios" (St. Athanassios), grouping a number of priests and some fanatical orthodox, threatened to block the streets of Patras and prevent the parade from entering in the city, King Carnival being "signs of remnants of ancient paganism" This organization -- which caused the anti-beauty-contest demonstrations damaging the building in which the election was taking place -- protested to Athens Archbishop and to the Greek Government for such anti-christian celebrations "which mass more people than a church service". The Police, anyhow, in order to avoid any incident, prevented father Kandiotis, the leader of "Aghios Athanassios", and some of his friends to drive towards Patras.