Christmas is not a big commercial thing here in Greece even though it's becoming it more and more. Even this quite conservative country has been influenced by the western ways. 
The Greek word for Christmas, Xristogenna, meens birth of Christ and traditionally they celebrate it with a churchservice and familydinner. Some people are buying Christmas gifts, there is some "Santas" every here and there and I've seen quite some Christmas trees. A more typical Greek decoration though is the boat (from Dec 6 when they celebrate St Nicholas, if you remember the saint for the sailours). On Christmas eve however the Greek children are making a fortune by going around to different houses singing and playing the triangle. And then a week later they're making
another fortune, going around singing the same song again. Listen here, or if you want the real stuff listen here :-)
Then on NewYears day they have their own "Christmas" when they are celebrating Sankt Vassilis, a bishop from Caesarea who died on January 1st 379 ad. His story is simular to the one of St Nicholas; he was a kind-hearted and helpful man, who was aiding the poor
and needy ones.This is when the greeks traditional are giving gifts to one another.
Our own holyday celebration has been international :-) Christmas eve we did a bit of Swedish traditions- "mustardcoverd ham",salmon, presents, glögg... On Christmas day we celebrated with our "greek/albanian/dutch family", enjoying a Christmas tree, the open fire, more good food and fellowship. Second day of Christmas we had Carolservice that fitted our british friends -and we too enjoyed the Christmas carols! And with that more food, goodies and fellowship. A few days of rest and so it was time for New year celebration. Marjo and her kids came to our house. We made a fire in our fireplace on the balcony, barbecued some hotdogs, made a chocolate cake and watched X-factor. It became a quiet night since we all were tired. When the kids started to fall a sleep they decided to go home and by midnight we were already in bed. We have kept the church open as usual during the Christmas-brake and it's fun to see more kids comming. They all have brake but there is not all that much to do on the island so the kids are happy that we are offering something.
(The snowpictures are from the snowy days in middecember, and Annika is to have credid for this pictures. The picture of st Vassilis is from the internet.)
2 comments:
The song on December 24 is not the same as the one on Dec 31, the day before the New Year. The "kalanta" song for Dec. 24 talks about the birth of Christ in Bethlehem where in a stable for horses the creator of everything is being born. The 'Kalanta" song for Dec. 31 simply anounces the New Year which is arriving and the old one which is leaving us.
Sorry, my bad. Sounded the same to me since I don't know the language that good. Glad to get some more facts, will lock for the new year song (only have the Christmas one).
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