Colors of Attica Region - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

The Greeks are justifiably proud of their country and history; they call themselves Hellenes, claiming to be the descendants of the ancient culture. Today, Orthodox customs and traditions have a significant impact on the life of this region. You will surely pay attention to the warm hospitality of the locals. They are happy to entertain guests at their place. You should drink a cup of coffee at least; otherwise, you will hurt the hosts’ feelings.

The Greeks love coffee, you can often see the elderly Greeks enjoying a leisurely conversation or playing cards in a coffee shop, sipping their coffee, tea or even a stronger beverage. Although strong drinks are widely consumed here and the preference is given to really strong spirits, it is almost impossible to see drunk people on the streets. It seems fair to say that the Greeks are quite conservative. For years, and even from generation to generation, men have been going to the same cafes and taverns, and women have been buying foodstuff at the same shops for decades.

Here the daily routine is the same as in most Mediterranean countries, which means a siesta after lunch, slowness, and leisureliness in everything. Trying to hurry up the locals or make them work at a quicker pace is really fruitless. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Despite the fact that the European fashion is generally accepted here, for a business lunch or negotiations you still need to come wearing the appropriate clothes; even if it is too hot outside, a businessman in shorts is defined as ill-mannered. However, during your vacation, there should not be any issues coming up related to the length of the skirt or your dress code. In the taverns, it is often possible to hear the national songs performed not only by professional musicians but also by ordinary guests. On holidays, the Greeks are pleased to dance and sing while wearing their national costumes.

The country is modern and European, but many events, such as baptism, weddings, national holidays, are celebrated in line with the traditional ceremonies. If you are lucky enough to witness any celebration or to participate in the festivity, this will definitely enhance your holiday experience. Since more than 90% of the population in the region are Orthodox Christians, the religious holidays are celebrated most actively in the country.

If you arrive here on Christmas Day (December 25), you will be able to take part in the traditional Christmas carols, to attend a festive church service and to taste the delicious Christ's Bread (Christopsomo). This bread is baked on Christmas Eve; cinnamon, crushed cardamom seeds and walnuts are its essential ingredients. Christ's Bread is considered a sacred tradition in many Greek Orthodox homes and the care with which it is made is said to ensure the well-being of the home in the year to come.

Epiphany Day also has an unusual ceremony, during which the priest throws a cross into the sea at the end of the traditional church service. The one, who gets it from the sea bottom, becomes a hero of the holiday. Every year this kind of competition involves hundreds of men of all ages.

A very interesting ceremony is held during the celebration of the Feast Day of Saints Constantine and Helen (May 21). It is called “Anastenaria”, which means dancing barefoot over the glowing-red coals.

The Greeks celebrate Easter on a large scale. The traditional dishes are prepared, festive processions and open-air celebrations take place everywhere. If you visit Attica during this period, you will have an opportunity to participate in the festivities and take along with you not only memorable souvenirs but also amazing impressions. Each village, town, and district celebrate feast days of patron saints. These celebrations are full of joy, fun and rich treats. Do not miss a chance to take part in the traditional dance called sirtaki, taste the festive meals and drinks.

Besides the national holidays we highly recommend visiting the festivals that are held annually in Attica. One of the biggest festivals is the Athens Festival, also called the Athens and Epidaurus Festival. As part of this event, concerts and theatrical performances are held annually at many venues for several months. With a legacy that spans more than sixty years, today the festival incorporates a full programme of music, theatre, dance, and visual arts. The performances are hosted by many different stages for a few months. Along with the national theater troupes and groups, artists from all over the world come to the country to take part in the festival. The period when the festival takes place is from June to September. The tickets’ price varies depending on the specific event, but in general, the tickets are cheap, they will cost you around 5-10 Euro.

From April to October at the Acropolis, there are nightly performances in English related to the culture and history of Athens held on the Pnyx hill. They come with a magnificent light show. And, of course, there is no age limit during such performances. Near the Acropolis, you also can enjoy a dance performance of "Dora Stratou" Greek Dances Theatre. From May to September one of the oldest national groups performs every evening in the garden theater located on Philopappou Hill, opposite the Acropolis.