Christmas carols in Greece (by High school of Koroni, Greece)
A very old custom which remains today practically unchanged is the Greek Christmas carols, which is called calanda in Greek. Children, in groups of two or more, still make the rounds of houses singing carols, usually accompanied by the triangle or guitars, accordions or harmonicas.
The children go from house to house, knock on doors and ask: "shall we say them?" If the homeowner's answer is yes, the kids sing the Christmas carols for several minutes before finishing up with the wish, "And for the next year, many happy returns." Years ago the homeowners offered the children holiday sweets and pastries, but today they usually give them some money.
The carols are sung on the eves of Christmas, New Year and Epiphany, and they are different for each holiday.
Sude U. KTSO MTAL
Cribs in Naples - Istituto Andrea Torrente, Italy
The crib is an old tradition in Italy, but in Naples it has become art!
Fatme Raimova SU Sv.sv. Kiril i Metodii Smyadovo, Bulgaria
6th January : The Finding of The Cross..Dionisis D, 5th Gymnasium of Kalamata, Greece
In Greece, every 6th Of January, our church celebrates the Baptism of Christ.While the priests praise God, a Cross is thrown into the sea and some of the Christians that are watching the ceremony are diving in the sea to find the Cross. The one who finds it, is consider to be blessed throughout the whole year
Merdin Mehmedov SU Sv.sv. Kiril i Metodii Smyadovo, Bulgaria
Chasing the cross into the freezing waters
La Befana - Istituto Andrea Torrente, Italy
La befana is a witch who brings gifts on the night between january 5th and 6th.
Christmas fish markets - Istituto Andrea Torrente, Italy
During the winter holidays, in Naples fish markets are open in the nights before Christmas eve and the new year's eve.
Olympia P., 5th Gymnasium of Kalamata, Greece....''Celebration of Easter in Corfu''
The celebration of Easter has a special place in the Greek tradition. Easter in Corfu is associated with the custom of ''Botides'' on Holy Saturday.With the signal of the first Resurrection at 12pm, the people of Corfu throw huge jugs full of water - the ''Botides'' - from their balconies. The boots are the clay jugs with a narrow mouth and two handles on the side for transporting them. The balconies are decorated and the residents tie red ribbons on the boots - red is the color of Corfu.
İmece Culture by Öykü Uzun Şahin Schools
İmece culture is people gather and make foods for winter for example tarhana (İt's our traditional food.) and noodles (İt's long thick pasta.) İmece culture is not just about foods. For example in the villages village people gather and build their needs like houses,markets or mosques. İmece culture improves our sense of unity and togetherness.By the way my parents were doing this when they were child and they say it's so much fun.
Nevruz
(Turkish New Year's Day)
Mehmet Kemal Kanyılmaz
Şahin Schools
Sakarya/Turkey
Eleftheria T., 5th Gymnasium of Kalamata, Greece....''Lighted Ships''
In Greece, at Christmas some families instead of decorating a tree, decorate a ship..In my town Kalamata a ship decorated with lights is being placed at the harbor during all Christmas Holidays.
Ceren Özalp Turkey, Sakarya
I introduced two of our very common traditions to you. Hope you enjoy reading!
Nehir Tiryaki-Şahin Schools, Turkey
Ataberk G. KTSO MTAL Filiz ŞEN
Hıdırellez or Hıdrellez is one of the seasonal holidays celebrated in Central Asia, the Middle East, Anatolia and the Balkans. The day of Hıdırellez, known as Ruz-ı Hızır (Khidr Day), is considered and celebrated as the day Khidr, who is thought to be the helper of those in trouble in the world, and Ilyas, who is believed to be it. Become the ruler of the seas, meet on earth.
AHMET METE SERBES
GROOM SENDOFF
Tuana Yalılı- Secondary School- Turkey
Sueda Abdulbakioğlu, Şahin Schools, Turkey, Sakarya
Efe Gürel, Şahin Schools, Sakarya, Turkey
According to the belief Hızır İlyas and Zülkarneyn go to a travel to find the Eternity Water. All 3 goes to differenct directions but Hızır's and İlyas' path crosses and they decide to travel together. When they arrive the Zulumat they stop near a fountain and start eating. While they are eating fish, the fish jumps to the fountain and starts swimming. They understand that it was the water they looking for. After drinking water an Angel comes and says that they are going to live forever and help other people. Accourding to belief Hızır and İlyas helps the people who are in bad situations.
Xrysa Tz., 5th Gymnasium of Kalamata, Greece......''Carnavali''
In Greece, the Carnival is called "Apokries". The festival consists of two weeks of the feast, beginning from the Sunday of Meat Fare and ends with the first day of the Lent, called Clean Monday (Kathari Deutera). Everyone is costumed and parties take place in the streets and bars, throwing colored confetti to each other. The most famous Carnival Parade takes place in the city of Patra. In many towns around Greece and in the islands, local customs revive. The Carnival is believed to come from paganism, and more precisely from the old festivities worshipping Dionysus, the god of wine and feast.
Efthimia B., 5th Gymnasium of Kalamata, Greece...''Name Day Celebration'
Most Greeks are named after a religious saint. A very important tradition is that everyone who has a name coming from a saint celebrated by the church celebrates his name on a given day of the year. On the "name day" of someone, his friends and family visit him without invitation and offer wishes and small presents.
Italian coffee by Miriam - Ist. Andrea Torrente, Italy
Italians can't live without coffee. In Italy any time is good for "un buon caffè" (a good coffee). In my video you'll see how we make coffee at home.