25 reasons why to love Greeks!

There are at least 25 reasons why to love Greeks we believe, but maybe also many more..
(And maybe feel a little Greek yourself…)

Do you love Greece?
You’re not Greek… but somehow, you feel Greek?

Maybe you’ve caught yourself thinking like a Greek.
Eating like a Greek.
Laughing like a Greek.

So here’s our question: Why can Greeks be proud to be Greek?

After  30 years of teaching Greek to students from all over the world,
Maya and Dimitris have heard hundreds of answers…
Here are 25 of our favorites!
With a little explanation for those of you who just started learning the language and culture.

Take a look below… and tell us what we missed! Lees meer

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Winter in Greece

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!

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The Pomegranate: A Symbol of Good Luck in Greek Tradition

On the first day of the New Year, many Greek homes welcome the year ahead by breaking open a pomegranate for good luck. This beautiful ritual is believed to bring health, prosperity, and abundance to the household. It is also common in Greece to exchange pomegranates (ρόδι), often made of metal, glass, or ceramic, as New Year’s gifts. These symbolic objects are known as γούρια;  charms meant to bring good fortune for the year to come.

Read this article in Greek

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Dionysis Savvopoulos and his songs

 Who is Dionysis Savvopoulos?

Dionysis Savvopoulos is one of Greece’s most influential musicians, since he sings, writes lyrics and composes his own songs.
Born in Thessaloniki in 1944, he became known for blending Greek folk music with rock and poetic lyrics, creating a unique sound that marked the cultural awakening of the 1960s and 1970s.  For many Greeks, Savvopoulos is not just a musician but a storyteller who captures the spirit of modern Greece through his words and melodies.

He began his career in 1964, appearing in nightclubs together with Maria Farantouri and Manos Loizos.
Savvopoulos was imprisoned twice during the Greek dictatorship. People fell in love with him straight away, making him and his music very popular in Greece and abroad.
In some of his songs, he combined the music of American musicians such as Bob Dylan with folk music from Macedonia, northern Greece, and lyrics about current political affairs. He has been awarded an honorary doctorate by the Department of Philology of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

Ο Διονύσης Σαββόπουλος θεωρείται ο πρωτεργάτης της σχολής των Ελλήνων τραγουδοποιών. Τραγουδοποιοί ονομάζονται όσοι γράφουν μουσική, στίχους και τραγουδούν οι ίδιοι τα τραγούδια
τους. Άρχισε τη σταδιοδρομία του το 1964, και έκανε εμφανίσεις σε νυχτερινά κέντρα με τη Μαρία Φαραντούρη και τον Μάνο Λοΐζο.

Κατά τη διάρκεια της δικτατορίας φυλακίστηκε δύο φορές. Γνώρισε πολύ γρήγορα τεράστια επιτυχία και σύντομα έγινε πολύ δημοφιλής στην Ελλάδα και το εξωτερικό. Είχε συνδυάσει τη μουσική Αμερικανών μουσικών όπως του Μπομπ Ντίλαν με μακεδονική λαϊκή μουσική και στίχους πολιτικού περιεχομένου. Έχει ανακηρυχτεί επίτιμος διδάκτορας στο τμήμα
Φιλολογίας του Αριστοτελείου Πανεπιστημίου Θεσσαλονίκης.

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Autumn in Greece

Autumn in Greece is full of surprises!
Even though summer is probably the most popular season in Greece, for Greeks and non-Greeks, also autumn and winter have much more to offer than you might think!
Since the Tourist Industry focuses on Greece as a typical country for summer holidays, not everyone knows that Greece is more than only beaches and sea.
Here an introduction to different aspects of the beautiful Greek autumn.

Read this article in Greek and listen to the Audio

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Greek Songs Which Became International Hits | Omilo

Greek songs that became international hits are more than you might imagine. In fact, many world-famous melodies were originally written by Greek composers. This is  something that few people realize today.

If you have visited Greece or followed our blog at Omilo, you already know that music plays a central role in Greek life. Greeks sing in moments of joy and celebration, but also in times of sorrow. Music is not just entertainment,  it is a way to express emotions, tell stories, and connect with others.

Greek music offers an incredible variety of styles. There are traditional folk songs, the soulful sounds of rebetiko, popular laika songs, artistic entexna music, as well as modern rock and pop. This rich musical heritage has not only shaped Greek culture, but has also influenced audiences far beyond the Greek borders.

Let’s discover some Greek songs and composers whose music traveled around the world and became international successes.

Read this article in Greek

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The Epidaurus Amphitheatre and Little Theatre | Omilo

When visiting Greece, it is not just about eating delicious food in taverns and going to the beach, but many travelers, including Omilo students,
also love to visit ancient Greek sites, attend Greek concerts, or theatre  productions, while learning more about Greek culture and history.
Well, here is the good news, by visiting the beautiful archaeological site of Epidaurus, as well as the village “Palaia Epidaurus”, you can combine it all!
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March 25th: A Greek National Celebration and Independence Day | Omilo

March 25th: A Greek National Celebration and Independence Day. Greece has lived through major historical events and the country was involved in many wars: Persian wars, the wars of Alexander the Great, etc. In modern Greek history, from 1821 till of today, two major wars Greece was involved in, were the Greek War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire and the 2nd World War. Every year, Greeks remember these historical events with the celebration of two national anniversaries on October 28th and March 25th. 

Click here to read the article in Greek and listen to the Audio

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Accommodation On Syros Island, Azolimnos

Accommodation on Syros island; where to stay?

If you only intend to visit Syros for just a night or two, we’d suggest choosing a hotel in Ermoupoli, the island’s beautiful capital.
You’d want to spend at least a day in Ermoupoli, doing sightseeing, and exploring this fascinating city.
Also, Ano Syros is a great location to spend two days, but far from beaches, and be prepared to walk a lot of steps.

 Omilo organizes 1- and 2-week courses on Syros island, in  Azolimnos, (4 km south of Hermoupolis)

Therefore, we suggest for our students mostly accommodation close to the course location, in the village of Azolimnos.

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Wildfires in Greece: How to save your life in case of emergency

Wildfires in Greece, unfortunately occur every summer season. Every Greek knows that high temperatures in combination with strong winds, often lead to wildfires. And this is what happened once again this month of July and August…
We keep our fingers crossed that the existing fires will come to an end soon, and that the remaining summer other forests and villages will be spared from wildfires.
Of course, it is advised to know how to react in case you find yourself close to a fire. Something we unfortunately never learn in school…but it is important!
More info below

Read this article in Greek and listen to the audio

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