No, this does not take place at all in Athens.
Specific Easter bonfire tradition exists in many places around the world, both Catholic and Orthodox churches, from Greece to Brazil and Mexico.
Nevertheles, most of the times, in Greece, it is a bonfire and not the burning of anyone, even Judas. Rarely you can find it as the "burn of the bandit" or just a bonfire with nothing to burn except the wood itself and logs.
For me, the so called "burn of Judas" is a somewhat violent tradition which has nothing to do with Easter which is a celebration for love as Christian traditions talk about. I am really thankful for many reasonas that usually it is just a bonfire and nothing else. I am ok with a bonfire, pyrotechnics and all, still i totally dislike the idea of burning anything to destruct it, even if this is an effigy.
Fire, cracking noise and light are closely tied to Easter celebrations all over the world. Fire, light and noise are connected with life itself, opposite to soil, darkness and quietness which are connected to lack of life. They also have to do with pre-Christian traditions tied to Easter for many centuries.
So, all around the world you 'll find many expressions of this symbolism, either as a bonfire, or as pyrotechnics or wishes expressed, or even the candlesticks in churches. Fire is always present in many traditions around the world, from the very ancient times Prometheus "stole" it from the Gods, till the torch lighting at the Olympics.
Nevertheless, for me, a simple bonfire is fine while a bonfire to burn something in has to do with destruction and i am happy it is NOT a common tradition in Athens, nor at many places in Greece :)
Moreover, urban grid would not allow something like this. It would be equally unexpected to see a bonfire in London or LA except perhaps a beach party at Malibu :)
A wikipedia link on this tradition and allegations about it can be found here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burning_of_Judas
Edited: 10 years ago