So far away but so close

What do we know about Greece? Greeks have a Greek profile, they eat Greek salad, go to Greek temples Olympic gods, in their country everything is there and they also dance sirtaki. Probably, the inhabitants of this country have the same attitude to our ideas about them, as we do to the stereotypes of foreigners about Russia.

Meanwhile, Greece and Russia have common feature- These are countries where the majority of the population professes the Orthodox faith. This means that we cross out the stereotype about the Greeks visiting the temples of the Olympic gods. But apart from abstract faith, our countries have much in common in everyday life, for example, in the traditions of celebrating New Year.

Preparation for the holiday

The fact that the Greeks celebrate the New Year, like us, from December 31 to January 1 and decorate the Christmas tree - this will not surprise anyone. Another thing is that the Christmas tree in Greece is decorated for Christmas (December 25) and it is called "Christoxylo" - "the body of Christ." Previously, in the villages, Christoxyl was not treated very reverently: usually, by the end of the New Year holidays, the Christmas tree replaced firewood for heating the house. Today, this tradition has been preserved only by some villages in northern Greece. But not everywhere there is a tradition to decorate a Christmas tree; on the island of Crete, for example, it is customary to decorate their houses with boxes.

So, when the Christmas tree is decorated, and Christmas is behind, it is necessary to prepare for the farewell to the outgoing year and the meeting of the new one. Since ancient times, the Greeks have a New Year's tradition - to clean the home fireplace. For Russian people, a fireplace is more of a luxury, but in last days the outgoing year, you can hear someone in the yard clapping the carpet. But the essence is the same: the inhabitants of both countries have a tradition of getting rid of the accumulated garbage and celebrating the New Year in a clean house.

Present

The Greeks also have fairy tale character like our Santa Claus. His name is Saint Basil. He monitors who and how he behaved and, depending on this, distributes gifts. Especially for St. Basil, children put a shoe by the fireplace in order to find it full of sweets and gifts in the morning. And parents at this time, as more pragmatic creatures, in the first minutes of the New Year, lay a stone at the threshold. According to popular belief, this ritual is a sign of respect for St. Basil, who is the protector of the poor and disadvantaged. Also, every Greek, going on a visit, carries a stone to the house of the owners. If this stone is heavy, they wish the owner's wealth to be just as heavy. And if the stone is small and light, then they want to hurt as little as the stone weighs. The main thing is not to confuse, the Greeks believe.

But do not think that in Greece everyone gives each other only huge cobblestones. The tradition of gifts in this country is extremely rich and varied. Like the Russians, when going on a visit, it is customary to take gifts with them. Especially often, the Greeks give baskets of wine and champagne and exchange “photos”, which look like a stick with a candle on top, hung with tangerines (what a new year without them), apples, figs, sweets and chocolates. A popular gift is a new deck of cards, which the Greeks love to give as a symbol of new life. Cards in this country are given, it should be noted, on any occasion - both for a birthday and for newlyweds on their wedding day.

New Year's table

The Greeks, of course, do not drink vodka, but champagne and wine are very popular with them. traditional dish on the Greek New Year's table is a roast pig, which is served with baked potatoes. The inhabitants of the islands cook the turkey in wine, but without exception, the Greeks love the familiar stuffed cabbage. And for dessert, they serve "kourabiedes" - cookies prepared according to a special recipe, soaked in delicious honey syrup.
But the main dish of the table is the vasilopita pie, more like a sweet cake. It is made from dough and decorated with currant berries and nuts. It is necessary to bake a coin inside the basilopite, and the one who gets it will not need anything in the New Year and will be happy. A whole ritual is associated with this dish: the hosts treat St. Basil with the first piece, give the second to the house, the third to the eldest of those present, and the youngest gets the last piece of the holiday cake.

holiday fun

The Greeks have several rules for celebrating the New Year. Apparently, they also adhere to the Russian folk wisdom- how you celebrate the New Year, so you will spend it. Therefore, the Greeks consider it important in no case to swear and shout on New Year's Eve, not to break the dishes. Among the prohibitions there are some rather strange ones: you can’t grind and drink coffee and let black dogs into the house. Many Greeks believe in the evil spirits of Kallikantzaros - elves who are especially active during the Christmas and New Year holidays. To protect your home from unwanted guests, incense is lit or an offering is made. There is another fun way to scare away evil spirits - burn old shoes in the fireplace.

Many of us have forgotten that fortune-telling on New Year's Eve, according to folk beliefs, have the same power as on Christmas Eve. But the Greeks follow the tradition New Year's divination. For example, the head of the family must go outside at exactly midnight and smash a pomegranate against a stone wall. If the grains scatter in different directions, then next year will be successful and happy. In order to consolidate the result obtained from fortune-telling, all family members, as folk Greek wisdom teaches, must dip their fingers in honey and lick them. This symbolizes the desire to live in abundance in the New Year. Some other girls put a piece of "vasilopita" pie under their pillow and wish that at night they would dream of their betrothed.

New Year in Greece is a holiday that incorporates the past and the present, uniting the secular and religious customs of the country. At first glance, the picture is well known to us - Christmas trees, garlands, festive fireworks. But it is worth taking a closer look, and you can easily find unique, primordially 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. yatogo Valisius (Greek analogue 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 (he died on January 1, 379), then 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, has become for the Greeks a symbol of generosity and kindness.
And by the way, his homeland is ancient the city of Caesarea, and not at all the North Pole).
It is interesting that a few decades ago the image of c. Vasily looked a little like Santa Claus. According to church tradition, this 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 they congratulated the kids on New Year's parties, resembled the clothes of a priest. On the head of the Greek Santa Claus was a hat like a miter, in his hand was a staff. The costume itself could be any color. Now St. Basil most often appears before children in the form of Santa.

Weather in Greece for the New Year sure to please those who do not like extreme cold and snowdrifts, but at the same time would not mind feeling the romantic charm of European winter. Shopping in the Christmas markets, fun attractions in the city center and a cup of fragrant warming coffee in the nearest eatery - a great "lightweight" option for a winter vacation 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 someone's house. The city streets are packed with people central square each city flaunts the 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).

On 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 away from home, the chimes are accompanied by a cannonade of salutes and fireworks.

Greeks and tourists stroll leisurely through all this hustle and bustle, while teenagers have fun in their own way. They gather in groups and arrange comic wars among themselves, using harmless plastic "weapons".

At the time of the New Year, when the clock struck 12, the lights are turned off in the house, and then turned on, and I begin to congratulate each other with the words Χρόνια πολλά! ( for long years), or Ευτυχισμένο το νέο έτος (happy new year).

Greeks consider New Year's Eve a happy day, so they are happy to play cards and dice, not only at home, but also in cafes, eateries, clubs throughout the country. What can we say, even the main prize of the national Greek lottery - several million euros - is played on the first day of the new year!

In the evening, in anticipation of the chiming clock, the Greeks spend their leisure time 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

In every house on this day, there is always a vasilopita - a Greek New Year's pie (Saint Basil's pie). The preparation of 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 together, 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 are distributed among the whole family. The one in whose piece of cake there is a coin will be happy all next year.

As a rule, hostesses try to leave one place for festive table empty. This place is dedicated to St. Basil, since such a symbolic presence of him is a good sign for the family.

Kalo Podariko or First Enterer

New Year's Eve in Greecedoes not do without another 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 intention and innocence. Following the first person who entered the threshold of the house, all household members take turns crossing the threshold, and the step must be taken from the right foot.

Pomegranate

In one of the previous posts about this custom was already mentioned. Pomegranate, since ancient times considered a symbol of fertility, rebirth and prosperity, plays not last role in New Year's rituals. In ancient times, pomegranates were hung over the front door to lure happiness into the house.

Now the Greeks even take this fruit to church to bless it for a special ritual. Before the clock strikes 12, marking the start 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 previous paragraph) holds a pomegranate in right hand and with force breaks it on the threshold. It is believed that the number of fallen seeds symbolizes the amount of happiness for the family in the coming year.

KAli Hera

As you have already noticed, the traditions of the New Year in Greece are given Special attention children. For example, in addition to gifts from St. Basil, they also receive gifts from their closest relatives. Grandparents, aunts and uncles give money to kids (Hera) or sweets as a wish for the best for the coming year. By the way, on New Year's Eve, as well as on Christmas, children go around relatives, friends and neighbors, singing carols.

Each region has its own.K pFor example, in Crete, it was customary to bring a plant called “sea onion” (Drimia seaside) into the house for the New Year. It is a wild, onion-like poisonous plant that even animals do not eat - it causes a rash on contact with the skin. However, it has interesting property- even if the sea onion is removed from the soil with a root, 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 celebration of the New Year with all responsibility, trying to attract happiness, money and good luck to the house. After all, faith in the good, as you know, can work wonders!

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New Year in Greek or what happens in fabulous night in Crete

”Καλη Χρονια" - have a good New Year! This is what the Greeks say when the chimes strike and champagne merrily pours from glasses to glasses! Then everyone begins to congratulate each other personally, while pleasantly kissing each on the cheek and gently pronouncing the best wishes.

It is customary to spend this holiday with parents at a late dinner, and after midnight you can go to night club, bar or disco. This is what young people usually do. couples, teenagers or single people. Sometimes the Greeks pre-order a restaurant and go all night with their families to celebrate the New Year, dance and have a good time.

In general, the Greeks are still some kind of "lighters". What I like about them is that they are very fond of their traditional dances and songs. And everyone, from small to great, tremulously dance "Sertaki" and "Sigana". And how they dance "Dance of the drunk man"!! I will definitely write about it.

But how to feel that wonderful feeling of the change of the Year without snow?

This is how it looked New year's night we are in Crete. The moon shone brightly, as if declaring that she was doing her job perfectly on a fabulous night. We put a Santa Claus hat on her to brighten up her loneliness.

What else happens on this fabulous night in Greece?

• Smashing a pomegranate against a wall is considered a good sign, but only if the fruit breaks into small pieces.

• Dig up this plant with a root, wrap it up and put it on the threshold. This will bring prosperity to your family in the coming year.

• Sit on a festive night in a cafe, play cards or dice for money. Even those who have never been a player will definitely try their luck that night.

• Bake Vasilopita and cut it up after midnight.

We cooked it with the whole family. The elders whipped, and the younger ones decorated. "Vasilopita" is translated as a New Year's cake prepared in honor of St. Basil, and since there is little Vasily in our family, he decorated the cake. They always put a coin in Vasilopita and bake it, and whoever gets the fluri coin from Vasilopita will have a good year.

• Let the children into the house so that they sing carols.

Early in the morning we were awakened by the doorbell, it was the neighbor's children who came to sing a New Year's song, ringing with an iron triangle. The song says that the new year is already on the threshold and will come soon, in response, the children received a handful of little things prepared in advance.

Looking at them, our children also quickly gathered, in anticipation of a fun income! This tradition has existed in Greece for a long time. Previously, children went from house to house and sang carols, for which people treated them to sweets and cookies. Nowadays children are given money. People generously share with children.

• Visit the village of Kamaraki.

The next day, after the celebration, many go to nature or to the mountains for snow. We also went to the mountains. We didn't get to the snow, but ended up in a nice little village called Kamaraki.

The village is small but very famous. The hero Kapetanakis was born in her. You see the monument that was made in his honor.

There is a small church next to the monument.

I managed to photograph a January bush with tomato fruits. If you don't know, vegetables are grown all year round in Crete.

There is only one tavern in the whole village and the food there is amazing. Naturally, we enjoyed the Greek cuisine, and were not alone there.

The end of the year in all countries of the world is marked by a series of bright holidays. This time is considered the most magical time, so we all think about how to celebrate the New Year long before January. And many come up with the idea to go to celebrate in another country in order to have an amazing, unexpected and, of course, a bright start to the next year. We will dedicate today's material to such brave and desperate travelers: we will talk about how the New Year is celebrated in Greece and what tourists should expect from local traditions.

Preparing for the New Year in Greece

An unimaginable atmosphere of miracles and magic reigns on the Greek streets immediately with the onset of winter. Residents literally decorate each town from head to toe: festive illumination pleases the eye not only on the streets and in shop windows, but also in courtyards and windows of houses. You can enjoy the colorful decoration of the streets of Greece during the entire period of celebration and constantly find something new in it.

Interestingly, the traditions of celebrating the New Year in Greece extend to the decoration of ships. Illuminated sails and masts of ships standing in ports in the dark twinkle like a myriad of stars. An indescribable spectacle!

Arriving in advance for the Christmas holidays in Greece is also worth it for the sake of successful shopping. Promotions and sales shops start 2 weeks before the onset public holidays. By the way, during this period, trade is so brisk that even the traditional siesta for the Greeks is canceled. boutiques and shopping centers work on an extended schedule, sparing no effort to ensure that the Greek Agios Vasilis (Santa Claus) has time to buy gifts for all children and adults.

So if you are going to celebrate the New Year in Greece, then think about how to plan a vacation also around Christmas. Catch two at once winter holidays and get acquainted with the traditions of another country - is this not an excellent start for a successful and productive next year?

How New Year and Christmas are celebrated in Greece - history, customs and traditions

At first glance, modern Greece looks like an ordinary one on New Year's Eve. European country. Christmas souvenirs are everywhere, decorated Christmas trees, colored lights of illuminations and dressed up Santa Clauses. Of course, American influence noticeably standardized the symbols of the New Year, but in Greece they do not forget about national New Year customs and traditions.

New Year traditions in Greece, as in other countries, have evolved over the years, passing from generation to generation. However, not always what was traditional for ancient greece turned into the New Year traditions of modern Greece. Therefore, we will consider the historical and current customs of the Hellenes separately.

New Year in Ancient Greece

As you know, there were many gods in Ancient Hellas. Therefore, the Greeks can’t talk about Christmas here, but the New Year in Greece has been celebrated for centuries.

The Hellenes celebrated something, but again with a demonstration of the free Greek temper - the New Year in Ancient Greece fell on June 22, the day of the summer solstice. Why was this day chosen to start the year? There are two versions. The first relates the choice of date to the ceremony of holding Olympic Games: They started on the first full moon following the summer solstice.

According to another legend, it was so easy to regulate moon calendar, which then guided the Greeks. The month was either 29 or 30 days, thus 11 days were lost solar year. The Hellenes understood this and tried to settle the difference by adding the missing days every 8 years. For the beginning of the reckoning, it was convenient to use days clearly associated with natural phenomena.

Not everyone knows how the New Year is celebrated in Greece - one of the most beloved and significant holidays of all peoples of the world. Most tourists visit Greece in spring or summer, so the culture and life of the Greek people are well known to travel lovers. But it is quite possible to assume that, as in Russia, in Greece the New Year is celebrated on the night of December 31 to January 1.

For local residents- This family celebration with special traditions that are passed down from generation to generation. The Greeks begin to prepare for it in advance.

The streets of towns and villages are decorated with bright illumination, and luminescent figures of ships can be seen in the squares. They symbolize not only the love of the Greeks for the sea, but also the hope for happiness in the coming year. People believe that these sails will bring joy and good luck to their homes. Greeks pay great attention New Year's Eve interior decoration of their homes. They decorate not only apartments, but also balconies with garlands and artificial Christmas trees. Everyone tries to make their balcony the most beautiful, so it is very difficult to come across the same design……

Before the New Year, children walk through the streets and houses. To the sounds they sing “kalanda” songs, which sound the wishes of happiness and prosperity in the coming year. In response to congratulations, children are given sweets and coins. Traditionally, before the holiday, the Greeks give each other large baskets filled with fruits and bottles of wine.

Finally, the long-awaited New Year's Eve comes, which the Greeks meet with their families or guests. The holiday begins with the fact that guests put a stone in front of the threshold of the house, the size of which depends on the wishes. If the stone is large, then the owner of the house is wished for significant wealth and prosperity.

Another Greek ritual is very symbolic and filled with deep meaning. On New Year's Eve, the head of the family goes out into the yard and smashes the house against the wall or front door pomegranate fruit. The farther apart his grains scattered, the richer and happier it will be for the family. coming year. One can only imagine how much effort the owner makes to carry out this ritual in order to attract as much happiness as possible into the house.

During the festive meal, the guests exchange gifts and say the warmest words to each other. New Year's table traditionally abundant. From the dishes on it you will always see roasted pig with baked potatoes and sweet pie"Vasilopita" with a coin inside. According to the sign, the one who finds it will be the happiest all year. The pie is made in honor of St. Basil, whose birthday is celebrated on the first of January as widely as the New Year. This saint is deeply revered by the Greeks, he is the patron saint of all the poor. On New Year's Eve, children leave their shoes by the fireplace in the hope of seeing gifts from St. Basil in them in the morning.

At the festive table, you will definitely be treated to sweets and traditional gingerbread cookies soaked in honey. New Year's Eve is a time for mysticism. Observing ancient signs, the Greeks will never grind coffee or shout at this time. The celebration of the New Year is not limited to just a family celebration. Numerous cafes and restaurants offer entertainment programs that will be of interest to tourists. Greece is a country of deep and varied traditions. New Year's Eve is another opportunity to see this.