Baira Kleio Source: C.E.T.I. © Region of Eastern Macedonia-Thrace

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The Municipality is seated at Kalambaki, which is situated 13 km to the south of Drama. It has a population of 6,841 inhabitants and covers an area of 81 km2. The Municipality also includes the villages of Ftelia, Aghia Paraskevi, Kalamonas and Nerofraktis. The inhabitants are descendents of refugees from Pontus, Eastern Thrace and Asia Minor; most of the population is employed in the agricultural sector.
The existence of antiquities in the area of Kalambaki bears witness to the continuous human presence in the village throughout many centuries. The discovery of a milestone supports the idea that this area was a Roman VISCUS and shows that the route of the Via Egnatia heading to the ancient city of Philippi passed through this location.
The tradition of “Kourbani”, a custom of the refugees from Eastern Thrace, is celebrated every year on 18 January, on Aghios Athanassios Day. Another traditional event, “Kalogeros” (the good old man) takes place on Monday after St George Day. This custom originates from very ancient ceremonies, when people asked from the higher powers to intervene in nature and fertilize earth. This custom was installed in Drama by the refugees. Kalogeros is the head of a group of disguised people that pass by each house of the villages and end at the central square, where a tug of war competition is held as well as a virtual ploughing and sowing. The performance concludes with the virtual resurrection of “Kalogeros”.