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New Year in Greece. New Year's customs of Greece. How to celebrate the New Year in Greece - traditions, gifts and dishes for the festive table

New Year in Greece. New Year's customs of Greece. How to celebrate the New Year in Greece - traditions, gifts and dishes for the festive table

20.07.2019

Holiday bread or pie. The main symbol of the Christmas table is Christ's bread - "Christopsomo". The best flour is chosen for it, spices are carefully selected, and the dough must be prepared with special love and warmth. It is baked with the addition of wine, dried fruits and nuts. The bread is decorated with a “cross” with a walnut in the middle and cut out figures from the dough. "Christopsomo" is considered sacred bread, so it is served only after church services.

The New Year's table must be decorated with the festive Vasilopita cake. The pie is decorated with nuts, berries, dough patterns or generously poured with glaze.

Variety of meat dishes. The Greeks do not ignore this tradition. Most often, their table is decorated with baked pork cooked in various options along with a roasted young pig on a bed of potatoes, but some families prefer the traditional Christmas turkey, flavored with wine sauce. On New Year's table Housewives also prepare cabbage dishes, such as cabbage rolls (“lahanosarmades”) or pickled cabbage.

Traditional cookies. As a dessert for the holiday table, the Greeks bake Christmas cookies “melomakarona” with nuts and “kourabiedes”. While preparing the dessert, the female component of the family specially gathers to bake a huge amount of cookies, which anyone can enjoy.

Additionally, sweets are served on the festive table, for example “tiganitas” (cookies sprinkled with honey).

Pomegranate, like dried fruits and nuts, is also an integral part festive table, since since ancient times it has been considered a symbol of the well-being and prosperity of the family.

What do Greeks give each other for New Year and Christmas?

As mentioned above, shops and fairs in Greece are always crowded with various gift items during the Christmas and New Year period. In most cases, these are all kinds of souvenirs with a traditional theme, for example, decorated various stones pomegranate, or colorful little boats.

But still, the Greeks, as a rule, rarely deviate from old customs and give inexpensive gifts, such as a new deck of cards (perhaps from some New Year's gift collection) and a large basket filled with excellent varieties of wine.

A wonderful gift can be traditional cookies decorated in beautiful packaging. “Vasilopita” can also be used as a gift; just write a wish for happiness for the New Year with icing.

New Year and Christmas are the most long-awaited and wonderful time of the holidays. All the people around are in a pre-holiday and joyful bustle, and during the holidays friendly folk festivities take place in every corner of the streets. Ships of fantastic beauty and brightness float on reservoirs, people hold various New Year's competitions with water, and on land they put on funny theatrical performances and make fun of passers-by. Each establishment has its own festive program, which anyone can enjoy and celebrate the most unforgettable Christmas or New Year in life.

New Year in Greece is a big and important holiday. First day calendar year always associated with good wishes, with hopes and expectations of new happiness, good luck and new beginnings in next year.

New Year in Greece is not celebrated as widely as Christmas, which precedes the New Year and is celebrated on the night of December 25th. This day has a special role in the life of the Greeks; it is associated with national traditions and a great religious holiday.

We should note that for the Greeks, Father Frost or Santa Claus is Saint Basil, so many Greek New Year traditions are associated with the person of Basil the Great.

Saint Basil of Caesarea

Basil of Caesarea ( Βασίλειος Καισαρείας ) was originally from Asia Minor, grew up in a family of pious parents. He was well educated, studied in the schools of Constantinople and Athens, was a preacher of Christianity, and performed healings through prayers. When he was Bishop of Caesarea, residents recalled with great gratitude how he protected the poor and orphans: he built homes for the elderly, created orphanages, distributed free clothes and food.

For these merits, Vasily was called the Great and became the heavenly patron of the Greek people. In 379, on January 1, Basil the Great died, he is still in the memory of the Greeks, and “Protochronia” (the first day of the new year) is the day of remembrance of St. Basil.

Greek New Year traditions

Pomegranate: on New Year's morning, the family goes to church for the divine liturgy in memory of St. Basil the Great, carrying a pomegranate with them for consecration. Upon returning, entering the house, the owner throws the pomegranate forcefully onto the floor so that more grains fall out of it, while saying: “health, happiness, joy in the New Year, how many grains a pomegranate has, so many pounds it will bring.” The brighter the grains and the more of them that fall out of the pomegranate, the more happy days there will be in the New Year.

Happy foot: for the Greeks, it is important who will be the first person to enter the house after midnight, luck in the New Year depends on this. As a rule, Greeks prefer it to be Small child, because children are innocent and there is no malice or envy in their hearts.

Vasilopita: on the festive New Year's table, the main place is occupied by vasilopita - a pie in honor of St. Basil. Housewives prepare it on New Year's Eve and always put a fluri coin there, which, according to tradition, will bring good luck to the one who gets this piece of vasilopita. The head of the family solemnly cuts the vasilopita - the first piece is for Christ, next to the house, and then to each family member (according to seniority).

Playing cards and other games of chance: exactly at New Year's Eve luck in the form of winnings accompanies the players. Therefore, many Greeks want to try their luck in the hope that the New Year will bring good luck in the game.

New Year's bow: This is a wild plant that looks like a large onion, it tends to be without soil (soil) and without water for a long time after being cut. The Greeks believe that this is big life force while wanting to possess her. The plant is hung in the house or on the other side of the door so that it attracts strength and health.

How to celebrate New Year and Christmas in Greece - history, customs and traditions

At first glance, modern Greece looks like an ordinary European country on New Year's Day. There are Christmas souvenirs, decorated Christmas trees, colored illuminations and Santa Clauses everywhere. Of course, American influence has noticeably standardized the symbols of the New Year, but in Greece they do not forget about national New Year customs and traditions.

New Year's traditions in Greece, as in other countries, have developed over the years, passing from generation to generation. However, what was traditional for Ancient Greece did not always turn into New Year’s traditions in modern Greece. Therefore, let us consider the historical and current customs of the Hellenes separately.

New Year in Ancient Greece

As you know, there were many gods in Ancient Greece. Therefore, the Greeks cannot talk about Christmas here, but the New Year in Greece has really been celebrated since time immemorial.

The Hellenes did celebrate, but again with a demonstration of the free Greek character - the New Year in Ancient Greece fell on June 22, the day of the summer solstice. Why was this day chosen to start the year? There are two versions. The first relates the choice of date to the ceremony of the Olympic Games: they started on the first full moon following the summer solstice.

According to another legend, it was so easily regulated moon calendar, which the Greeks were then guided by. The month was either 29 or 30 days, thus losing 11 days of the solar year. The Hellenes understood this and tried to adjust the difference by adding the missing days every 8 years. To begin chronology, it was convenient to use days clearly associated with natural phenomena.

One way or another, the New Year in Ancient Greece was different interesting traditions. Merry folk festivities were held throughout the country on this day, and the main rite of the holiday was a carnival procession dedicated to the god of wine, Dionysus. Those walking dressed as satyrs (the retinue of Dionysus), who were reputed to be unrivaled lovers of women and wine. And the spectators encouraged the procession with loud shouts and jokes. The wine flowed like a river, and the fun lasted literally until you dropped.

Today, it is customary for the Greeks to celebrate the New Year according to the general calendar: from December 31 to January 1. Also, with the advent of Orthodoxy in the Greek lands, the Christmas holiday received special respect here. The Greeks celebrate it together with other European countries - from December 24 to 25. How Christmas is celebrated in Greece, and what New Year traditions modern Greeks honor right now.

So, the first holiday in a long series winter holidays- Nativity. On this day, you can find many installations about the Holy Family on the streets, and in every house figurines of angels, candles and treats are prepared for guests. At Christmas, it is customary for the Greeks to attend church, especially for godparents and their godchildren. Adults go with their children to the service, and afterward they give the children symbolic Christmas presents.

An unusual feature of Christmas among the Greeks is the tradition of cleaning the fireplace. This procedure is considered a symbol of getting rid of last year’s “cargo.” It is understood that by sweeping away the ashes, a person cleanses the house of all the adversities, problems and difficulties of the past year.
During the day at Christmas, children especially frolic: they go from house to house and sing kalandas - small songs on the theme of Christmas, the Greek equivalent of carols. As in Russia, it is simply impossible to refuse little artists a reward for their work, so the kids receive well-deserved portions of tasty treats or even hard coins.

The adults are fussing about preparing the evening feast. Christmas Eve is traditionally celebrated on family circle at a beautiful and wide table. Truly Christmas festive dish in Greece it is considered Christopsomo. This is a honey loaf with the addition of various spices. On Christmas Eve, every family member must enjoy a piece of Holy Bread.

New Year traditions in Greece are more diverse, because this holiday is secular in nature. Greeks can celebrate the beginning of the year both in a narrow family circle and in a noisy group of friends. In any case, the celebration is fun and exciting.

By the way, if in Greece they celebrate the New Year at a party, then they come to the house of hospitable hosts not empty-handed, but with stones. Sometimes guests bring a large stone as a gift, and then it symbolizes a full cup of wealth, prosperity and success. Or you can give the owners a small pebble. In this case, it should be said that all the hardships and sorrows of this house in the new year will be as small and inconspicuous as a stone offered.

Popular family tradition on the Greek New Year - fortune telling by pomegranate. The head of the family throws the fruit with all his might at the wall, so that the grains scatter as far as possible from each other. In Greece, a fruit broken into hundreds of small pieces symbolizes good luck and prosperity at home: a scattering of pomegranate seeds promises the owners a lot of money, joy, success and happy moments in the coming year.

Another New Year's ritual– a symbolic exchange of “photographs” before the festive feast. Skewers are purchased especially for the holiday and decorated with fruits, sweets and candles. For young Greek women, the New Year is also an occasion to tell fortunes: the girls place a piece of pie received at dinner near their heads and fall asleep with the hope of seeing their chosen one in a dream.

While the adults are telling fortunes and exchanging small gifts, children are hanging socks or shoes for gifts in front of the fireplace. After all, at night, the most important guest will make his way into the house through the chimney - Agios Vasilis, as Father Frost is called in Greece. Let's talk about the Greek wizard in more detail.

Greek Santa Claus

Santa Claus in modern Greece, of course, is partly related to the image of Santa Claus. The cute fat man in a bright red suit and with a bag of gifts has already become a worldwide symbol. But there is also a national Santa Claus in Greece, nicknamed Agios Vasilis.

The ancestor of the Greek Grandfather Frost was the Orthodox Saint Basil. This man did not look like Santa at all; on the contrary, his lifestyle was ascetic: thin, emaciated, with pale skin and an early gray beard, Vasily lived only 49 years. But his good deeds left him with great fame. He lived by charity: he helped the poor, looked after orphaned children, took care of animals, provided various assistance to those in need, and did not demand any return.

For his righteous deeds, Agios Vasilis became the prototype of the New Year's wizard. And now in Greece you can meet people who have dressed themselves in the image of St. Basil. The outfit consists of a multi-colored costume, reminiscent of monastic vestments, and a tiara hat. The elder does not have a bag with an abundance of gifts behind him, but Agios Vasilis will always find a worthy present for a good person.

As stated above, the real Greek Santa and Father Frost do not give expensive gifts. Therefore, in Greece it is not customary to give luxurious gifts for the New Year: most often everyone makes do with symbolic gifts.

Thus, most Greeks receive a basket of elite wines from each other during the holidays. Often such a gift is supplemented with decks of playing cards: this means the guest of the house wishes the owners a lot of money and good luck that always accompanies business. The already mentioned “cameras” and pebbles are also considered unique gifts. Children get on New Year sweets, toys, books, etc.

What is served on the New Year's table in Greece

In the evening, all family members and guests are gathered at a magnificent festive table. Traditionally, Greeks serve suckling pig with baked potatoes or turkey. Be sure to serve desserts at the feast: honey cookies and Vasilopita pie. This is a traditional New Year's loaf with nuts and currants. Often a coin is placed in it to determine who will be luckiest in the New Year. In this case, the first piece of the pie is left to Saint Basil, and then they look at seniority: the youngest of the celebrants is the last to receive his pie.

What not to do on New Year's Eve in Greece

The Greeks strictly observe New Year's prohibitions. Bad omen It is considered to allow animals with black fur into the festival, breaking dishes and grinding coffee. Some even prefer not to drink coffee at all on this day! Also, on New Year’s Day in Greece it is not customary to make noise or stomp loudly, otherwise St. Basil will not bestow blessings on your home. But all this is quite conventional, so young people, celebrating the beginning of the year in club bars and restaurants, have a carefree break and have fun wildly to the roar of music.

Holidays in Greece for the New Year

If you are planning to visit Greece in December or early January, then it is better to go to the city of Athens or go to the resorts of the islands. During the New Year holidays, the capital Athens becomes the epicenter of the festivities: here tourists will find a lot of interesting and vibrant events. However, the resorts are also not lagging behind in terms of organizing leisure time - there is more than enough fun for everyone. Come, relax on holidays in Greece and enjoy fresh impressions and new discoveries!

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After Christmas, which is celebrated in Greece on December 25, Greeks, especially children, look forward to the New Year. New Year in Greece is not only a secular celebration, but also religious holiday. Devout Greeks celebrate the feast day of St. Basil the Great on January 1st. Russian Orthodox Church also honors the elder, but according to the old Julian calendar - January 14. In Greece, the so-called New Julian style was adopted, so everything church holidays coincide with Catholic ones. Saint Basil (Agios Vasilis), for the Greeks is a semblance of Santa Claus. In fact, Saint Basil the Great was a real person who lived in the 4th century AD in the city of Caesarea in Cappadocia. All his life he preached the true Christian doctrine, and gained fame as a defender Orthodox faith. In addition, the wonderworker Basil, through the power of prayer, healed people and brought notorious sinners to repentance, converted unbelievers and cared for the poor, the infirm and orphans.

New Year tradition

The date January 1 for the Greeks in old times was not considered the beginning of the new year. In each region of ancient Hellas, the New Year came at different times, but most often it occurred in the summer or early autumn. The tradition of celebrating the New Year on January 1 was brought to Greece by the Romans in the 1st century AD. Further, Christian church timed the holiday to coincide with St. Basil's Day. This was done in order to erase from people's memory the customs of the December Roman Saturnalia, which were feasts that often turned into orgies.

On St. Basil's Day in Greece it is customary to give gifts. Mostly children receive them. On New Year's Eve, children put their shoes in a prominent place in the house (and sometimes even outside the door), where caring parents put gifts or envelopes with money on behalf of the saint.

Vasilopita

Another New Year's custom associated with the name Vasilisa is the baking of rich bread called “vasilopita”. These loaves are prepared differently in each region of Greece. So, in the north they add sesame or pumpkin filling, in Lesvos they add special cheese “myzithra”, and in Ipiros the traditional vasilopita is a meat or cheese pie. Sometimes they make small sweet pies with a double-headed eagle design on the surface. Despite the variety of shapes and flavors of New Year's bread, one detail remains unchanged - when kneading the dough, they hide a gold or silver coin “for good luck”, which then goes to the luckiest member of the family.

Eating vasilopita is also a special ritual. On New Year's Eve, the meal begins with bread, which is cut by the head of the family. The first piece is not for food - it is given to Saint Basil, the second - to the house, the third - to the elder, and then, according to importance and age, it is distributed to the rest of the household. It is clear that in big family Vasilopita is baked in huge sizes. It's a pity that only one coin is deposited! By the way, such pies with money in holidays can be found in any bakery and even supermarket, but homemade baked goods are undoubtedly tastier.

Saint Basil

Saint Basil also has something to do with the following tradition. It is believed that on January 1, the heavenly patron sanctifies all fresh water, so the Greeks perform the “Revitalization of Water” ritual - “old” water is poured out of all containers and jugs, replacing it with new, fresh “Water of St. Basilis”.

In general, in Greece there are a lot of customs related to food in one way or another. In particular, in Argostol, on New Year’s Day, it is customary to break a pomegranate fruit against the wall of the house - the seeds scattered to the sides portend prosperity and well-being. Already everywhere, the main New Year's seasoning is basil, it is even called the herb of St. Basil. The Greeks are sure that this plant has healing properties and protects the house and its inhabitants from the Yuletide evil spirits. Basil is not only added to food, but also mixed with water and sprinkled on the corners of the home.

If we're talking about food, then we need to mention, at least in passing, traditional New Year's dishes. On almost every Greek table during the holiday you can see pork dishes. This is not only baked or fried meat with a side dish of rice, but also delicious jelly “pihti”, fried sausages, as well as cabbage rolls “lahanodolmades” and salted, smoked pork - “siglino” or “apaki”. Pickles, cheeses, various fresh vegetables— the range of snacks is wider than ever. Sweets such as “diples”, “melamacarons” and “kourabiedes” delight not only children, but also adults.

customs in Greek villages on New Year's Eve

On New Year's Eve, children continue to earn money with Christmas “kalandas”. A gang of kids is visiting all the neighboring houses, as well as offices and shops. Previously, the custom of caroling was widespread only among rural residents, but now the cheerful tradition is also adopted by city dwellers. The little mummers receive quite a decent reward; it is considered extremely impolite not to thank the child or to get off with a small coin. The kids try their best - they sing Christmas and New Year's songs, hit small metal triangles and beat on drums.
In some regions of Greece, ancient New Year's customs have been preserved. For example, on the island of Amorgos on the morning of the new year, the owner of the house is the first to go outside, and then immediately returns, takes two steps into the house and says: “Come in, goodness and happiness.” This “ritual” is repeated three times. In other areas, it is customary to “treat” the log with wine and oil before burning it in the oven. This ritual is also carried out with the aim of attracting wealth and prosperity to the family.

In Greek villages, guests on New Year's Eve bring their owners as a gift... a mossy stone. Of course, they don’t hand it over, but throw it under the door. If a large cobblestone is brought, then they say: “Let the purse of the head of the family be as heavy as this stone.” And if a small pebble is thrown, then they say another phrase: “Let the eyesore be as small as this stone.” True, the first version of sayings is more common. Guests also exchange “fotik”, which are sticks with fruits strung on them (figs, apples), decorated with candies and a candle on top.

There are many more Greek New Year rituals and ceremonies. Probably, every village, every small village will have its own, unique and interesting customs.

in cities

In large cities, some traditions, unfortunately, are irretrievably lost. Residents of megacities celebrate the New Year cheerfully, but in a standard, European way. However, both villagers and townspeople are united in one thing - the New Year is family holiday, which is often held in the father's house. Sometimes a crowd of relatives gathers in taverns, of which there are a great many in Greece.

Some Greeks prefer to travel on New Year's weekend to country houses, having picnics on the lawn with a barbecue or grill. Young people, of course, prefer gatherings in central squares, where modern music plays, attractions operate, and fireworks light up the sky.

Popular artists perform in central squares and streets. All bars, clubs, restaurants are crowded this evening, and there is no hope of finding a place in any of them after midnight. Closer to midnight, everyone pours out into the streets, excitedly awaiting the arrival of the New Year (Protochronya) and fireworks.

As in any other country, in Greece, on the New Year, hopes are placed on good luck, prosperity, and the fulfillment of desires. But in addition to this, gambling Greeks play cards, backgammon, at home, in cafes, clubs throughout the country on New Year's Eve. Luck next year will depend on winning or losing. The stakes on this day are low, so as not to upset the loser too much.

Celebrating the New Year in Russia is associated with a whole host of traditions, both ancient and modern. Unchangeable attributes New Year's holiday in our country are a Christmas tree, Olivier salad, “The Irony of Fate” on TV, making wishes while the Kremlin chimes are striking...

But other countries around the world also have their own New Year traditions. Moreover, some of them may seem no less strange to Russians than to foreigners our attachment to Olivier and the adventures of a drunken doctor lost between two capitals.

7. Finland. Kissel instead of Olivier

Finnish New Year traditions are not too far removed from Russian ones. After all, Finnish Joulupukki is perhaps the closest relative of our Father Frost among foreign New Year's wizards. But what can really surprise you on New Year's Eve in Finland are the dishes of the traditional New Year's table.

Of course, it would be strange if the Finns served Olivier. However, it is unlikely that any Russian will be happy if he is served rice porridge for the New Year. And the Finns are happy, because rice porridge is the traditional New Year's food of the inhabitants of this country. Plum jelly is served with the porridge, which also does not fit in the Russian consciousness, not just with the New Year, but with any holiday in general.

But nothing can be done, other people's traditions should be respected.

By the way, until recently, a visit to Joulupukki looked quite threatening for Finnish children. The wizard appeared in the house with rods and asked the question: “Are there any obedient children in this house?”

But now Joulupukki’s rods had to be abandoned altogether - the strict grandfather could have been thrown into jail for using force against minors.

6. Cuba. splashing water

In Cuba, before midnight on New Year's Eve, as in Russia, glasses are filled, but not with champagne, but... with water.

No, the point is not at all about the general sobriety of the inhabitants of Liberty Island. According to Cuban tradition, when the clock strikes at midnight, you should throw water from glasses into open windows. It means that old year ended happily and Cubans wish each other that the coming one will be as clear and pure as water.

By the way, water is splashed not only from glasses - especially generous people pour it from buckets and basins, so the likelihood of being doused “for luck” on New Year’s Eve in Cuba is very high.

5. Bulgaria. Blind kisses

In Bulgaria, many New Year's traditions are similar to Russian ones, but one of them may cause surprise, to put it mildly, to an unprepared person. Exactly at midnight on New Year's Eve, the lights go out in Bulgarian houses, and everyone present... begins to kiss. Moreover, it doesn’t matter at all who is with whom - relatives and strangers, men with women, as well as men with men... True, this does not last very long. After the “lucky” kisses, the hostess of the house cuts the birthday cake, and here you also need to be careful - it is customary for the Bulgarians to put “surprises” in it. If you come across a rose twig, it means love, if you come across a coin, it means wealth. And if you break a tooth, it’s time to visit the dentist!

4. Scotland. Coal present

In Scotland, on New Year's Day it is customary to visit each other and give gifts. There are random gifts, and there are strictly regulated ones. You should come to visit a Scot on New Year's Eve with a piece of pie, a glass of wine and... a piece of coal. The point is not that the Scots are stingy, although jokes are made about the thriftiness of this nation. When you come with such gifts, you wish the owners prosperity - plenty of food, drink and warmth.

Ukrainians will obviously soon adopt the tradition of giving coal on New Year's Eve. It’s unlikely that just one piece will do here - “gift coal buckets” are expected!

3. Spain. Eat grapes, amigo!

In Spain, New Year is considered a public holiday, and it is customary to celebrate it on the streets of cities. Before midnight on New Year's Eve, it is customary to gather around the Christmas tree in the central square of the city. You should have grapes with you. When the clock strikes, you need to try to eat 12 grapes. Each grape represents one month of the coming year, and if you eat all 12 within the allotted time, this guarantees the fulfillment of your most cherished desire.

By the way, if you are timid and your personal life is not going well, you can also turn one Spanish tradition to your advantage. On New Year's Eve in Spain, boys and girls write their names on pieces of paper, which they then draw out like lottery tickets. This is how pairs of “grooms” and “brides” are determined. Such “love at first sight” lasts, according to tradition, until the end of Christmas time. It is interesting that the Catholic Church turns a blind eye to such entertainment among young people - “bride and groom lotteries” sometimes take place right next to local churches.

2. Greece. Get down, pomegranate!

Greek new year tradition is also capable of capturing the imagination of those who are not ready for it. If at midnight the owner of the house goes out into the yard and starts throwing agricultural products at the wall, this does not mean that he has “too much” and it’s time to call the police.

According to Greek tradition, on New Year's midnight the owner of the house must smash a pomegranate against the wall. If the grains scatter throughout the yard, the family will have a happy life in the coming year.

Yes, and when going to visit a Greek on New Year’s, don’t forget to take a mossy stone. It should be left to the owners with the words: “May your money be as heavy as this stone.”

1. Italy. Down with old stuff!

When celebrating the New Year in Italy, you should stay away from houses on New Year's Eve, because it is unknown what will fly out of the windows in the next second. Italians are temperamental people, but this is not a matter of drunken rioting. According to Italian tradition, before the clock strikes midnight, old and unnecessary things should be thrown out of the house so that they remain in the outgoing year with all the hardships and troubles.

One of the most popular gifts On New Year's Day in Italy, red underwear is worn. It is given to both men and women. For Italians, red means newness. So the red panties that Dulin tried to give to Mikhalych are just a traditional Italian gift!

Based on materials from: http://www.aif.ru/ny/tellings/1414193