Fun and festivities in Greece - celebrations, festivals and cultural events

Greece is a fairly religious country. Although many modern Greeks have moved away from strict Orthodox rites, religious holidays are celebrated in accordance with all the rules. Along with Catholic Europe, Greeks celebrate Christmas according to the Julian calendar, on December 25. On New Year's Eve, locals go to streets to sing carols. The Christmas bread called Vasilopita is baked. The dough hides a coin, and the one who will find it, will succeed in business all next year. On January, 1, the country celebrates the day of St. Basil or Agios Vasilias, who is considered the patron of good and helper to the poor. The most important religious holiday in the country is Easter. There are colorful processions throughout the country.

One of the most joyful holidays is Apokries, which lasts about two weeks and ends before the Great Lent. During this time, the Greeks cook a variety of meat dishes, which are mostly of pork, and treat relatives and friends. After the feast, the Greeks dress up in costumes and go to the main square, where they continue to drink wine and have fun. The holiday ends with a grand carnival. One of the most spectacular feasts is the carnival in the city of Patras on the Peloponnese Peninsula. During the event, spectators can enjoy the procession of chariots. The festival ends with the burning of the carnival king. The dates of carnivals vary depending on the date of Easter. They begin about 2 weeks before this holiday.

On January 8, Greece celebrates the Women's Day. On this day, women change roles with men. Latter should spend all day at home and do household chores, including cleaning, cooking, and home assignments with children. At this time, their wives go to bars and places where they can meet their friends. Ladies can spend the whole day with fragrant coffee. There are no common worries and problems. Most cafeterias in Greece are managed by the same families for many years. Mostly men run restaurants. Therefore, women manage to try a fundamentally new role on this day. The summer solstice on June 23 is peculiarly celebrated. At night, the Greeks perform mysterious rituals and burn flowers collected specifically for this holiday in May. In such a manner, they drive evil spirits away from their families. It’s also common to augur the future at night. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

On May 1, a traditional festival takes place in Greece, during which city residents leave the metropolitan areas for a while and go to the countryside. At this time, performances, picnics and popular festivities are held. Parties are accompanied by loud music and dancing. At the end of May, a festival of roses takes place on the island of Rhodes. Solemn events are held in the old part of the city, which allows all participants to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the Middle Ages. At this time, buds are blossoming and fine weather is set on the island. The festival begins with the sound of a trumpet that is heard from the castle. Cavalry and foot knights marche through the streets. In the small village of Epidaurus, there is an ancient theater, which has perfectly preserved to the day. This facility hosts the famous Hellenistic Festival that is one of the most iconic in the theatrical world.

There is a large number of theater festivals in Greece, because the country is the birthplace of this art. In December, there is a festival of puppet theaters and pantomime in Thessaloniki. About 40 different performances are shown during 11 days. Lectures, master classes and seminars are held in the city. The Greeks are very fond of music, so music festivals are often held on the summer terraces. RockWave in Athens, where dozens of the most famous rock artists of Greece and foreign musicians come every year, is among the largest. Other significant event takes place on the island of Samothraki. That’s the world music festival.