New Year in Greece, it is a holiday that incorporates the past and present, uniting the secular and religious customs of the country. At first glance, the picture is familiar to us - Christmas trees, garlands, festive fireworks. But if you take a closer look, you can easily find unique, original Greek New Year traditions!
Who brings gifts to children?
New Year, aka Προτοχρονια (Protohronia ) is the favorite holiday of Greek children, because it is on this day (and not on Christmas, as in most countries Western Europe), they receive their gifts from St. 9th Valisius (Greek equivalent of Santa Claus).
Saint Basil (Agios Vasilis) was one of the Fathers of the Church. And since the celebration of the New Year in Greece coincides with the day of remembrance of St. Basil (died January 1, 379), his role in the celebration is special.
The legend says that during his short life this man constantly helped the poor and needy, and distributed ordinary people all your fortune. Therefore, Basil, who has since received the nickname the Great, became a symbol of generosity and kindness for the Greeks.
And, by the way, his homeland is ancient the city of Caesarea, and not the North Pole at all).
It is interesting that a few decades ago the image from c. Vasily looked a little like Santa Claus. According to church tradition, he is a tall, thin, dark-haired man in simple clothes with a long dark beard.
Festive image of St. Vasily, in which a few decades ago children were congratulated at New Year's matinees, resembled the clothes of a priest. The Greek Santa Claus had a miter-like hat on his head and a staff in his hand. The suit itself could be any color. Nowadays, St. Basil most often appears to children in the form of Santa.
Weather in Greece for the New Year will definitely please those who do not like extreme cold and snow drifts, but at the same time do not mind experiencing the romantic charm of the European winter. Shopping at the Christmas markets, fun attractions in the city center and a cup of aromatic warming coffee at the nearest snack bar are a great “lite” option for a winter holiday in Europe!
How is New Year celebrated in Greece?
Almost the same as with us - friends gather in cafes, bars and restaurants , or go to visit someone. The city streets are crowded with people - on central square each city has a main Christmas tree; trees, houses and shops around sparkle with festive illumination, here and there there are models of ships and boats decorated with bright lights (read about this tradition).
In the central square you will definitely find a stage where festive concerts organized by the city authorities take place. For those who celebrate the New Year outside the home, the chiming clock is accompanied by a cannonade of fireworks and fireworks.
Greeks and tourists stroll leisurely among all this bustle, and meanwhile teenagers have fun in their own way. They gather in groups and organize mock wars among themselves, using harmless plastic “weapons.”
At the onset of the New Year, when the clock struck 12, the lights in the house are turned off, and then turned on, and I begin to congratulate each other with the words Χρόνια πολλά! (long years), or Ευτυχισμένο το νέο έτος (happy new year).
GamblingThe Greeks consider New Year's Eve a happy day, so they enjoy playing cards and dice, not only at home, but also in cafes, eateries, and clubs throughout the country. What can we say, even the main prize of the Greek national lottery - several million euros - is drawn on the first day of the new year!
In the evening, while waiting for the chimes to strike, the Greeks while away their leisure time by playing cards - this is considered a good omen. Moreover, they play for money, although the bet amounts are usually symbolic - so that the losers do not get upset.
Festive table
Every home on this day must have vasilopita - Greek New Year's pie (St. Basil's pie). Making such a pie is one of the oldest pre-Christian traditions that has survived to this day. On January 1, Greeks gather with their families to cut a cake, which is baked with a gold coin inside. The head of the family cuts the cake and the first piece is traditionally dedicated to Christ, the second to the whole house as a whole, and the rest is distributed among the whole family. The one in whose piece of the pie there is a coin will be happy for the whole next year.
As a rule, housewives try to leave one place at the festive table empty. This place is intended for St. Basil, since his symbolic presence is a good sign for the family.
Kalo Podariko or First One In
Celebrating New Year in Greececannot do without one more tradition. After midnight, the first guest in the house should be a good person who will bring good luck and prosperity to the owners. Therefore, the Greeks specially invite lucky relatives or acquaintances for this purpose, but most often–children, as they symbolize purity of intentions and innocence. Following the first person to enter, all household members take turns crossing the threshold of the house, and the step must be taken with the right foot.
Pomegranate
This custom was already mentioned in one of the previous posts. The pomegranate, considered a symbol of fertility, rebirth and prosperity since ancient times, plays an important role in New Year's rituals. In ancient times, pomegranates were hung above the front door to attract good luck into the house.
Now the Greeks even take this fruit to church to bless it for a special ritual. Before the clock strikes 12, signaling the onset of the New Year, everyone in the household leaves the house and turns off the lights.
The person who steps into the house after the First Enterer (see the previous paragraph) holds a pomegranate in his right hand and smashes it forcefully against the threshold. It is believed that the number of seeds that fall symbolizes the amount of happiness of the family in the coming year.
KAli Hera
As you have already noticed, New Year traditions in Greece pay special attention to children. For example, in addition to gifts from St. Basil, they also receive presents from their closest relatives. Grandfathers, grandmothers, aunts and uncles give money to kids (Hera) or sweets as wishes for all the best for the next year. By the way, on New Year's Eve, as on Christmas, children visit relatives, acquaintances and neighbors, singing carols.
Local customs
Each region has its own.K pFor example, in Crete it was customary to bring a plant called “sea onion” (Drimia maritima) into the house for the New Year. This is a wild, onion-like, poisonous plant that is not eaten even by animals - it causes a rash if it comes into contact with the skin. However, it has an interesting property - even if sea onion is removed from the soil with roots, it does not dry out. It is believed that its ability to withstand the most adverse conditions can be transferred to humans and inanimate objects. This tradition has been known since the time of Pythagoras, from the 6th century BC, and is one of the oldest in Greece.
As you can see, the Greeks approach the New Year celebrations with all responsibility, trying to bring happiness, money and good luck into the house. After all, faith in good things, as you know, can work miracles!
Holiday bread or pie. The main symbol of the Christmas table is Christ's bread - "Christopsomo". The best flour is chosen for it, spices are carefully selected, and the dough must be prepared with special love and warmth. It is baked with the addition of wine, dried fruits and nuts. The bread is decorated with a “cross” with a walnut in the middle and cut out figures from the dough. "Christopsomo" is considered sacred bread, so it is served only after church services.
The New Year's table must be decorated with the festive Vasilopita cake. The pie is decorated with nuts, berries, dough patterns or generously poured with glaze.
Variety of meat dishes. The Greeks do not ignore this tradition. Most often, their table is decorated with roast pork, cooked in various ways along with a roasted young pig on a bed of potatoes, but some families prefer the traditional Christmas turkey, flavored with wine sauce. For the New Year's table, housewives additionally prepare cabbage dishes, such as cabbage rolls (“lahanosarmades”) or pickled cabbage.
Traditional cookies. As a dessert for the holiday table, the Greeks bake Christmas cookies “melomakarona” with nuts and “kourabiedes”. While preparing the dessert, the female component of the family specially gathers to bake a huge amount of cookies, which anyone can enjoy.
Additionally, sweets are served on the festive table, for example “tiganitas” (cookies sprinkled with honey).
Pomegranate, like dried fruits and nuts, is also an integral part of the festive table, since since ancient times it has been considered a symbol of the well-being and prosperity of the family.
What do Greeks give each other for New Year and Christmas?
As mentioned above, shops and fairs in Greece are always crowded with various gift items during the Christmas and New Year period. In most cases, these are all kinds of souvenirs with a traditional theme, for example, a pomegranate decorated with various stones, or colorful small ships.
But still, the Greeks, as a rule, rarely deviate from old customs and give inexpensive gifts, such as a new deck of cards (perhaps from some New Year's gift collection) and a large basket filled with excellent varieties of wine.
Traditional cookies, decorated in beautiful packaging, can be a wonderful gift. “Vasilopita” can also be used as a gift; just write a wish for happiness for the New Year with icing.
New Year and Christmas are the most long-awaited and wonderful time of the holidays. All the people around are in a pre-holiday and joyful bustle, and during the holidays friendly folk festivities take place in every corner of the streets. Ships of fantastic beauty and brightness float on reservoirs, people hold various New Year's competitions with water, and on land they put on funny theatrical performances and make fun of passers-by. Each establishment has its own festive program, which anyone can enjoy and celebrate the most unforgettable Christmas or New Year in their lives.
Each culture has its own unique, sometimes bizarre customs and traditions. Greece is no exception. New Year's Day is celebrated here as feast of St. Basil, who was one of the founders of the Greek Orthodox Church. The Greeks love and honor Basil, the patron saint of the poor, for his kindness and generosity. This day opens a whole series of winter holidays, each of which is unusual and unique. What does Greece have in store for tourists for the New Year?
How to celebrate Christmas
Despite Orthodoxy, Greece has long been celebrating all church and secular holidays according to the Gregorian calendar, simultaneously with all Western countries. That's why Christmas they fall on the night of December 24-25. Christmas holidays in Greece can be an incredible adventure for travelers, regardless of whether they decide to go to the city or village of mainland or island Greece. Overall - if you have decided that Greece should be your next holiday and travel destination - think about what exactly you are going to do there - go on holiday to the beach or see Ancient Greece, rich in historical and cultural heritage. In both cases, you will undoubtedly leave your trip satisfied and full of memories.
Tours to Greece
Prices for tours for 2 people for 7 nights with departure from Moscow are given.
Christmas in Greece, as in all countries of the world, there are many amazing and funny traditions. Customs in New Year's Eve symbolize mankind's eternal desire for joy and good fortune, and the country has its own unique traditions, striving to drive out evil spirits and bring a lot of goodness, happiness and blessings in the lives of people. Most Greeks will return to their islands and cities to spend Christmas with their loved ones. Although new year holidays are becoming more and more Europeanized in Greece (Christmas wreaths, street markets, decorations of houses and streets), many families continue to observe the old traditions. Christmas Eve and the first day of the new year begins with kalandas (carols) sung by children. Some of the children play triangles, guitars, harmonica, accordion or even lyre. Good wishes are accompanied by treats and gratitude with coins.
How to celebrate New Year
Feasting is a common part of New Year's celebrations around the world, and New Year's celebrations in Greece are no exception. Family members gather together to enjoy a hearty meal, and it is often customary to leave extra space at the table. This place is intended for St. Basil. On the table there must be roast lamb or pork and vasilopita, a sweet pie prepared in honor of the New Year, in which a silver coin is hidden. The head of the family cuts the cake, leaving one piece for St. Basil, another for Jesus, the third for the Virgin Mary, the remaining pieces are distributed to members of the household - from eldest to youngest. Whoever finds the coin will have good luck in the coming year.
On the night before New Year, Greeks love to play cards. Even children play with their parents or with their siblings for fun. And this is not just to pass the waiting time - it is believed that you will be lucky all year if you win the game. Card marathons sometimes continue from early morning until midnight, and not only at home, but also in coffee shops and clubs.
Another interesting tradition concerns the pomegranate - an ancient symbol of prosperity and good luck. On New Year's Eve, the head of the family throws it with all his might onto the floor or at the door, trying to ensure that the seed grains scatter as far from each other as possible. This will guarantee good luck, health, happiness and prosperity in the coming year.
Another custom is the renewal of waters on St. Basil's Day (the first day of the New Year). It is an old custom where every jug of water in the house is emptied and then filled with "St. Basil's water." The ceremony is often accompanied by gifts to the naiads (or water nymphs). In addition to this, there are many others in Greece, no less interesting traditions- burning “Christoxylo” - the Tree of Christ, exchanging “fotikas” (skewers with fruit), cleaning the fireplace or visiting with a pebble. Greeks like to spend holidays at home, with their families, but at the same time, many establishments present their own entertainment program - with music, songs and dances.
New Year's Day is the first important religious holiday of the year. Next - Epiphany, January 6, is accompanied by a blessing of local water in memory of John's baptism of Jesus. All over the country, Orthodox priests throw the holy cross into the water, and local men and boys dive to find it. The largest such ceremony is held in Piraeus.
Weather during the New Year holidays
Do you want to spend Christmas holidays in Greece? If you decide to go between November and February, be prepared for cool and wet weather, and in some areas of Athens even snow is possible at times. Street cafes have giant heaters for cold days and evenings, but in Greece “cold” is a relative term. Your reaction to the Greek winter will most likely be “you call that winter?”
Where to go for New Year
During the New Year's holidays, you can immerse yourself in the city's festive events: concerts in the central square of Syntagma, dancing in taverns or hot nights in clubs, visiting many shops, listening to street musicians or simply strolling through archaeological sites and relaxing while enjoying great food in the open air. Santa Claus and his reindeer will be waiting for children and posing for your photos, and a visit to the zoo will be memorable not only for kids, but also for adults. From Athens you can also take a cruise to the nearby islands, go skiing on Mount Parnassos, or take a short but unforgettable journey around the country to Delphi or Meteora. Not far from the capital, the Peloponnese peninsula offers some of the most affordable travel in Greece a beautiful city old streets with stone walls, olive groves and ancient monuments spanning several centuries. This is Nafplio, a charming seaside Venetian town topped by a fortress. Its narrow streets are filled with creative workshops and boutique hotels, while the Fougaro cultural center hosts a winter program of arts and music events.
What to see on the islands
The island boasts a beautiful Old Town and a rich cultural life, from orchestras to art exhibitions and the Palace of St. Mikhail and George. Crete stretches quaintly from the dazzling harbor of Chania to Rethymnon with its numerous mountain villages. Lesvos offers over 11 million olive trees! In addition, each of these large islands has some of the best regional cuisine in the country, featuring fresh, local ingredients and creative recipes.
The large islands offer many interesting walking routes that connect temples and monasteries in villages and windswept seashores. You can also visit the small island of Hydra - where there are no cars, scooters or even bicycles at all! Surrounding the beautifully preserved Old Port are ancient houses with tiled roofs and earthen paths along the pristine, picturesque coastline, overlooking the Saronic Gulf.
Round-trip flights to Greece
Prices for tickets per person departing from Berlin are shown.
December
During the winter season, many islands and resorts are virtually deserted, so most hotels and restaurants may not be open. However, in the last few years, many tour operators have been offering tempting New Year's tours to Greece to some of the most luxurious resorts in Kavala and the island. Thasos. When we imagine Greece, we usually envision white arcs of beaches under a sunlit sky. But in winter it is no less beautiful. This best time for leisurely walks with stunning scenery, exploring the numerous cultural and historical heritage Hellas and observations of the life of local residents.
When is the best time to go
For the New Year 2018, non-working days will be from December 30 to January 8. Ten days is enough to celebrate the New Year in Greece, see the sights and enjoy Greek hospitality. If you want to catch Christmas in Greece, it is best to take a vacation from December 25 to 29, and return to Russia on January 4-5. This way you will avoid queues at the airport and will be in time for the Christmas festivities in Russia.
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Already in November, store windows are prepared for the holidays, decorated with all kinds of lights and garlands. City streets are colored with illuminations, and local residents each decorate their houses in their own way to celebrate Christmas and New Year. And the lighting design helps them in this: every courtyard, balcony, loggia shines with all the colors of the rainbow, creating a unique atmosphere of love and joy.
Christmas traditions in Greece
Each country has its own traditions associated with the moment of Christmas. So in Greece you will find a lot interesting features holding holidays. For example, it is customary here to decorate a ship for Christmas. And the point is not only that the sea for the Greeks has great importance. For people who profess Christianity, this symbol means happiness and a serene life. If Christmas celebrations find you in a Greek town, you will certainly see both a Christmas tree and a boat in the municipal square.
Kalanda- an analogue of Russian carols. Children under the age of 15 visit friends and neighbors, play musical triangles (trigons), sing traditional songs and bring joy to everyone around them. Carolers should certainly be given sweets, small change or fruits.
In Ukraine, the secular New Year has pushed Christmas joy into the background. In Greece, Christmas is celebrated widely and noisily. Songs, dancing, fun, roasting meat on the grill - the Christmas atmosphere reigns everywhere. Yuletide, which lasts 12 days from Christmas until the New Year, deserves special mention. According to local beliefs, at this time people are not protected from the appearance of demonic creatures called kalikanzari. Only those who have stored Christoxylo (the tree of Christ) in time can protect themselves from the influence of evil forces. In Greece, along with the spruce, the role of the Christmas tree can also be played by the olive.
Celebrating Christmas and New Year in Greece, you can see street scenes - traditional theatrical performances often full of irony and sarcasm. Reveillon is a festive dinner held on New Year's or Christmas Eve, many Greeks celebrate outside their home walls. At this time, restaurants and taverns are crowded, entertainment centers and other places for entertainment. A good option for reveyon can become ski resorts Greece, so popular among tourists from the CIS and the EU.
New Year traditions in Greece
If the inhabitants of our country associate New Year's celebrations with Santa Claus, then the Greeks have different associations with the New Year. We are talking about Saint Basil, who pleases children with gifts. Little Greeks also write letters and wishes to him, leaving notes under the “Tree of Christ.”
This tradition is due to the fact that the celebration of the memory of St. Basil, revered for his kindness, intelligence and generosity, is held on January 1. Any New Year's table in a Greek family is not complete without "Vasilopita" - St. Pie. Vasily with a baked coin inside. Success and good luck in the new year await the lucky person who gets a tidbit with a coin.
Many of the extremely interesting and varied New Year traditions of the Greeks, dating back to the distant past, continue to be observed today. Most of them are to some extent related to luck, for example, such customs include the “lucky foot” of the first guest, breaking a pomegranate, gambling, while other traditions are entertaining and purely festive in nature - these are New Year's parties, fireworks. Undoubtedly, the most important role among the customs associated with the arrival of the New Year belongs to the division of vasilopita - a traditional pie baked on the first of January. This custom is strictly followed by the vast majority of Greek families.
Vasilopita
The traditional Greek New Year's cake is inextricably linked with the arrival of the New Year, and it can be found in all areas of Greece, of course, with some differences. Basically, these differences are due to the ingredients used to bake the cake, as well as its appearance. So, in some regions, vasilopita is more like a cake or bun, in others it is a salty or sweet puff pie, in others the pie is a pie similar to Christmas bread. The decoration of the pie also varies. However, all varieties of vasilopita have common decorative elements - a cross and an inscription with new date. Most often, vasilopita is baked in a round shape, and inside the pie there is always a baked coin - “fluri”.
In most Greek families, the traditional pie is cut immediately upon the arrival of the New Year, but in some regions of Greece, vasilopita is cut at lunchtime on St. Basil's Day, which falls on the first of January. In any case, the procedure for dividing the New Year's pie is the same: the head of the family baptizes the vasilopita three times with a knife, and then begins to cut the pie into pieces. The first piece belongs to Christ, the second to the Mother of God, the third to St. Basil, the fourth to the house. The remaining pieces are divided among all family members according to seniority. It is believed that the family member who receives the coin will be especially lucky for the next year.
Carols
Carols are one of the oldest and most beloved traditions in Greece. It is customary to carol on Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve and Epiphany. From early morning, children go around the houses of their friends to announce the arrival of the holiday with joyful singing. In addition to singing traditional greeting carols, they express their wishes to the owners of the house. Most often, carols are accompanied by playing on traditional triangular bells (trigon), less often - by playing on others musical instruments. The reward for carols and good wishes, as a rule, is a small amount of money and various treats. Of course, carols are a very beautiful custom, bringing special warmth to Greek homes thanks to the sweet-sounding voices of children.
Podariko - “lucky foot” of the first guest
When it comes to who will be the first to cross the threshold of their home in the new year, most Greeks are very careful. In this regard, a few days before the holiday, many people ask one of their friends, considered especially lucky and fortunate (having a “lucky leg”), to visit their home on January 1st. It is believed that this visit will certainly bring good luck to the family. Some families prefer that the first visitor be Small child, because innocent children do not know envy, and there is no malice or envy in their hearts.
Breaking a Pomegranate
In Greece, the pomegranate is considered a symbol of abundance, fertility and good luck. The custom of breaking a pomegranate with the arrival of the New Year is respected in many regions of the country. Returning home after the holy New Year's liturgy, the Greeks break the pomegranate on the threshold of the house, throwing it with such force that the fruit splits and the berries scatter everywhere. Only after this the owner crosses the threshold of the house (necessarily with his right foot), so that in the new year the family will have good luck in everything.
Gambling
One of the most common and very beloved traditions of the Greek people is the custom of experiencing one’s happiness on New Year’s Eve, expressing the hope that the New Year will bring special luck. In addition to the state lottery, which traditionally gives out 10,000,000 euros on New Year's Day, gambling games such as dice, roulette, and cards are widespread: they are played in cafes, clubs and at home. As a rule, it is customary to play cards at home on New Year's Eve, passing the time while waiting for the change of year. The amounts usually bet are rather symbolic - the game is thus friendly and does not bring grief to the losers.
