Kathara Deftera, or Clean Monday is an important day for Greeks. We celebrate the end of the Carnival and the beginning of fasting which leads to Easter (forty days later). The name comes from the adjective “katharos”=clean. This day is also called “Koulouma”.
Do you like reading books related to Greece, or watching TV series? Then here the good news;
“To Nisi” is a Greek period drama series based on the best-selling English novel The Island by Victoria Hislop. Eager to know more?
Winter in Greece is never boring, and for those who thought that Greece is only a summer country, you couldn’t be more wrong :-).
Due to its varied nature and culture, Greece has to offer something in any season!
In general, we had a a sunny and warm end of the year, but we expect any moment the winter to start…
Better be prepared, and get your warm cloths ready…or start planning your winter trip to Greece!
Do you prefer a Christmas tree or a Christmas boat?
(Greek text below)The decoration of the Christmas tree is not a Greek habit. It is said that the first Christmas tree in Greece was introduced and decorated by the Bavarian king Otto in 1833. In Greece, according to tradition, we decorate a boat, mainly on the islands. The boat symbolizes the maritime identity of the country. Greeks, a seafaring nation, of course, combined the celebration of Christmas with the sea. The decoration of the ship was also a kind of honor and welcome to the sailors returning home to celebrate Christmas with their families.
Did you ever celebrate Greek Christmas and New Year in Greece? Apart from other Christmas traditions, you will hear typical Greek carols all over the country: the “kalanta”. Greece is rich in music and depending on the geographical regions, there are different Christmas and New Year songs, using different instruments and rhythms.
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When we think about the Month of December in Greece, we usually think of winter and celebrations. Let’s learn more about a typical Greek December Month.
When you visit Athens , not only you can explore the capital of Greece, but at the same time you can also make several one-day excursions to nearby coastal villages, beaches and archaeological sites within the prefecture of Attica. One of the trips we believe is really worth it to add to your “list”, is to visit the “temple of Poseidon” in Sounion, at about 60 km from centre Athens. You can combine it with a swim in the clear waters of the Aegean sea or a nice dinner/lunch in one of the fish taverns nearby.
A visit to Athens is never complete without a visit to the Acropolis Museum, which first opened its doors in 2009. For all those years, it has been one of the major cultural sightseeing spots of the Greek capital.
If you are looking for a contemporary Greek movie, then Worlds Apart is a movie we can recommend.
Watching films in Greek is a fun way to spend an evening at home and improve your Greek listening skills at the same time.
At Omilo, we often organise film nights during the 1- and 2-week Greek language and culture courses – because learning does not have to stop in the classroom! Watching a movie under the stars, while sipping a glass of wine, definitely feels like holidaying in Greece!
The Greek “Happy Fools’ Day” on April 1st is traditionally established as the day that we fool the others or tell jokes. On April 1st, you can also use the Greek wish “Καλή Πρωταπριλιά !” (Kali protaprilia) = Happy Fools’ Day!
The only difference is that in Greek you actually say “Happy First of April”!
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