Syros island and Hermoupolis town, are locations our students love deeply.
Every Summer, since 2005, Omilo organizes Greek Language and Culture Courses on the Cycladic island of Syros.
After all those years, the island feels like a second home to the Omilo team, as well as to many returning students.
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Lefkada, also called Lefkas, is a beautiful Greek island in the Ionian Sea on the west coast of Greece; south of Corfu, and North of Kefalonia island.
The island is connected to the mainland by a long causeway and floating bridge.
Because Omilo organizes every year a Greek Language and Culture courses on Lefkada island, during the month of May / June,
we love to introduce you to some facts as well as to the rich mythological tradition of this Greek island.
The Myth Of Lefkada
Almost every place in Greece has a mythical tradition. Ancient Greeks always wanted to associate places with stories about Gods or famous heroes. Lees meer
Greek songs which also became international hits, are more than you might think! However, few people today realize that some classic songs were actually written by Greek composers,
When you regularly visit, you definitely have understood that music plays a very important role in the life of Greeks. In joy and sorrow, Greeks sing. And the truth is that they have the opportunity to choose among several categories of songs, in order to express every time their feelings: there are plenty of folk songs, rebetika, laika, entexna as well as rock and pop songs.
The Greek Traditional Christmas Boat is very popular again since the last decade.
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.
Already several years have passed, without Mikis Theodorakis…
Mikis Theodorakis, the beloved and internationally known Greek composer,
whose music and political life are also well-known abroad, died on September 2nd, 2021. He was 96.
Theodorakis’ career, which started in his early years, produced a hugely varied body of work.
He has not only composed symphonic music, music for operas, ballet, chamber music, but of course a great number of Greek songs.
Apart from his musical career, he is also remembered by Greeks for his stubborn opposition to postwar regimes and dictatorships.
He will be never forgotten.
The town of Nafplion is a beautiful Venetian town with ancient Greek roots and a lot of history.
It is located in the Peloponnese, at 2 hours driving from Athens.
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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.
However, since Omilo organizes
1- and 2-week courses on Syros island, in Azolimnos, (4 km south of Hermoupolis)
we, therefore, suggest mostly accommodation close to the course location in the village of Azolimnos.
What about reading a Greek book, while learning about modern Greek, through stories of famous people?
It’s easy to get caught up with the exciting and dramatic times of Ancient Greece, but the history of the Greek state and nation ever since the Greek Revolution in 1821 (*), can be equally fascinating – and stormy!
(*) 2021 was the 200th anniversary of Greece’s War of Independence from the Ottoman Empire
Click below to read the article in Greek
Listen to the Greek text, improve your listening skills, while learning more about Saffron.
Saffron is a delicious spice coming from the Krokos (crocus) flower, is growing in Greece and known since ancient times! Saffron is being used in many different ways: for its flavor in the kitchen, for its color in cosmetics and paint, for its healing properties in the pharmaceutical sector. Cleopatra saw the value of using saffron in cosmetics, in the Old Testament, it was mentioned because of its essence and Aeschylus described it as a way to dye fabric.
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Which is the most important meal of the day? Of course, it‘s the breakfast 😉
Although most Greeks do not really eat a big Greek breakfast or any breakfast at all, slowly slowly things are changing. More and more hotels in Greece now understand the value of breakfast and more and more Greeks also start discovering how many products they actually have to enjoy the most delicious breakfast.
