The Bacchanals first took organized form in ancient Greece more than 3000 years ago. Apparently associated with horned animals, serpents and beastly predators, the rituals are dedicated to Dionysus - the jolly god of merriment and wine. Amazingly, these ceremonies have survived the passage of time and are still celebrated in Greece today! "Bacchanals in Modern Times" has masterfully captured the spirit of these rituals which still commemorate the onset of spring, fertility and gaiety with plentiful of wine, bright costumes, folkloric dance and traditional music.
An invocation of Dionysos, from the Orphic hymns
"I call upon loud-roaring and revelling Dionysos, primeval double-natured, thrice-born, Bacchic lord, wild, ineffable secretive, two-horned and two-shaped. Ivy-covered bull-faced warlike, howling, pure, You take raw flesh, you have feasts,wrapt in foliage, decked with grape clusters.
Resourceful Eubouleus, immortal god sired by Zeus.When he mated with Persephone in unspeakable Union.Hearken to my voice, O blessed one,and with your fair-girdled nymphs breathe on me in a spirit of perfect agape."