How Do Greeks Celebrate Easter? And what are the Greek Easter Traditions?
Greek Orthodox Easter is probably the biggest celebration of the year for most Greeks, with a lot of special traditions and family gatherings.
It is also one of the reasons Omilo organizes every year a Greek Easter course.
For 26 years in a row, the Omilo-team is celebrating Easter together with students (except of the “covid years  in 2020 and 2021”).
If you can not be in Greece during Easter time, but you are curious, then read below what Greek Easter is about, and/or watch some videos!

 

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If you like Greek traditions, then read more about the bracelet for the month of March;
The “Marti bracelet” or just “Marti” is an ancient custom for the beginning of Spring. It is believed it dates back to ancient Greece and it is known all over the Balkans.


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Carnival in Greece is a big winter celebration, during which Greeks enjoy themselves, organize parties and eat a lot of meat!
In 2024, the festivities will take place between February 25th and March 17th. Followed by “Kathara devtera” on March 18th.

The aim of Carnival is to encourage all citizens, and visitors, to be a part of a lively, fun-filled celebration, which takes place in many venues, squares, streets and schools of villages, towns, or city neighborhoods.  Read more about those traditions, while learning useful Greek vocabulary.

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The Vasilopita is a nice Greek Tradition , a special cake for the New Year. When cutting the cake into slices on New Year’s Day, Greeks will name each slice as they cut it, after everyone in the family and friends. Usually, also a coin is hidden in the bottom of the cake. Whoever is lucky enough to get the coin in their slice is considered especially blessed in the coming year! So maybe a nice Greek tradition to also try it with your family and friends back home?

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The most well known Greek New Year Song, is sang on December 31st!
Children will ring your doorbell early in the morning, and sing the New Year Carol – ta kalanta 

Of course, you can hear this New Year song also on the radio, and  maybe, you can also try to sing it yourself and impress your Greek friends ;-).

A song to say good bey to the “old year” and welcome the “new year”!

Although there are many variations and different songs, there is one song you will hear all over Greece.
Listen to the video, and read the text in Greek and English. Enjoy

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Would you like to listen to a Greek Christmas carol, and/or sing along?
On December 24th, if you are in Greece, do not be surprised when children ring your doorbell early in the morning!

Τhe children go from house to house, singing about the birth of Jesus Christ, while holding their small metal triangles.  Open them the door; it is believed to bring good luck into your home. And do not forget to give them some coins!

Θα θέλατε να ακούσετε τα ελληνικά χριστουγεννιάτικα κάλαντα ή να τα τραγουδήσετε κι εσείς μαζί; Στις 24 Δεκεμβρίου, αν είστε στην Ελλάδα, μην ξαφνιαστείτε όταν νωρίς το πρωί τα παιδιά χτυπήσουν το κουδούνι της πόρτας σας! Τα παιδιά πηγαίνουν από σπίτι σε σπίτι και τραγουδάνε για τη γέννηση του Ιησού Χριστού, κρατώντας τα μικρά μεταλλικά τους τρίγωνα. Ανοίξτε τους την πόρτα. Θεωρείται πως φέρνουν τύχη στο σπίτι. Και μην ξεχάσετε να τους δώσετε μερικά κέρματα! 

 

If you are not in Greece, but you would like to hear it,  teacher Eva will sing it for you!
That way,  you can listen to it as many times as you want 🙂
But before you sing along,  let’s do a small Greek listening exercise first!

Listen to the song on the video, and fill out the missing words in the exercise, which you can find under the video!

H δασκάλα η Εύα, θα τραγουδήσει για εσάς ώστε να μπορέσετε να ακούσετε τα κάλαντα όσες φορές θέλετε!  

Μπορείτε να τραγουδήσετε μαζί με την Εύα αλλά ας κάνουμε μία μικρή ακουστική άσκηση πρώτα! 
Ακούστε το τραγούδι στο βίντεο και συμπληρώστε τις λέξεις που λείπουν στην άσκηση που βρίσκεται κάτω από το βίντεο!

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Do you kow how to say Happy Birthday in Greek?  If you have been to Greece, most likely you have already heard the popular wish «Χρόνια πολλά».
It is not just used for Happy Birthday, but for many other occasions as well.

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The Zonaradikos is a Greek Traditional Dance from Thrace (North-East Greece), and a dance our Omilo students really enjoy!

The Greek dance lesson is one of those afternoon activities most students love; either to really dance and learn new steps, or to just watch fellow students while listening to the music, and enjoying a glass of wine!

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When Greek cinema meets Greek literature the result is usually excellent. The movie ‘Little England’ , directed by Pantelis Voulgaris and based on the book by author Ioanna Karystiani, was released in December 2013.
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