The Romaniote Jewish Community of Ioannina was the only place where Sicilian Purim, also called P(u)r(i)mop(ou)lo in the local dialect, was celebrated until 1954. It fell in January or February and commemorated how the Jews of Syracuse escaped from the humiliation and scheming of king Saragosanos in the early 15th century. All Jews who had roots in Sicily took part in this celebration, thereby making their different origin known. Celebrations mostly took the form of meetings and communal meals. Such was the assimilative ability of the Jews of Ioannina that the legend soon became a folk song.
Come closer, my king, and listen to my story,
the Jews mock you, and bow in pretence.
They honour you with no learning, and only ask their lives.
His slave Efraim, who worked for his honour,
and was his right-hand man, Elia sent as his messenger.
Wake up, Efraim, don't sleep,
decorate the synagogue and get busy,
and decorate the sefurim, fill the letters,
Decorate them with stars, and tell no one.
They hanged Marko, like a dog.
Praise to God the Almighty, grace on the Jews to bestow,
And bring out Elia Ηαnavi for this great day.
