Μήνας: Απρίλιος 2015

by Loukia Pakkidi

In Canada, the New Year’s Day celebrations, begin on the 31st of December and continue till the early hours of the 1st of January. This day is either celebrated with a party in which lots of relatives and friends are invited, or with a gathering, where the only people are the parents and the children.
In the evening, the family has already gathered at the home in which they will eat and have begun the preparations. Some will prepare the turkey, some will set the table or make the desserts and the kids will make something easy like the cranberry sauce. After everything is done, and everyone has eaten, they go outside to a square where lots of people will be or an ice skating rink so everyone can have fun while skating or drinking hot chocolate.
When the day is coming to an end, almost everyone, young and old, gather outside and watch the fireworks and count the minutes till midnight. After the countdown is over, everyone embraces each other and the relatives kiss each other and wish each other to have a happy new year.

New Year’s Celebrations in New York

by Ntaka Anthoula, Oikouta Chrysafina

Celebrating the New Year, in New York is unlike any other. The different festivities involve people from all over the state, from all over the country, and from all over the world. The most famous celebration includes the infamous Waterford Crystal Times Square New Years Eve Ball. At 11:59 pm the ball begins to drop, and millions of people who have gathered together from all over the world, chant and count down the last seconds of the year. Other New Year Celebrations include the Brooklyn Bridge Walk, New Year’s Eve Midnight Run, and Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza outdoor party. Each of these events inspires people to come together and celebrate the New Year whether it involves crossing a bridge, running a four mile race through Central Park, or just a grand party with music, dancing and fireworks. Whichever event you decide to join, just remember, New Year Celebrations in New York are fabulous.

Christmas in Greece

by Chrysoula Leventi
Christmas is the most magical time of year. In Christmas everybody enjoys the warm atmosphere from getting together with other members in their family and celebrate because Jesus Christ come to bring people in this Earth hope, peace, and joyfulness.

 

 

 

In Greece the Christmas season begins on December 6th, which is Saint Nicolas day, and ends on January 6th, which is the Feast of the Epiphany.

Saint Nicolas is the protector of sailors. For this reason, you will often see boats decorated with many sparkling lights, rather than the Christmas trees.

 

Greece is a country where traditions and customs are a part of everyday life. Most holidays in Greece are celebrated traditionally, and Christmas in no exception. Christmas caroling is very popular, and although you might hear them being sung at any given moment during the holiday season, there are actually three “official” caroling days. The custom is that children go from house to house singing the carol, with the accompaniment of a triangle, and residents of the houses give them a small amount of money. Greek Christmas carols are sung on the mornings of Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and January 5, the Eve of the Epiphany.

 

Furthermore according to tradition, during the days of Christmas goblins come out to tease people and eat their food. This tradition is based on the legend that the “waters aren’t christened” since Christ has not yet been baptized. The goblins are renowned for their ugliness and their impishness. They are not very intelligent and can’t really hurt anybody. It is said that they enter houses through chimneys, and this is the reason people, especially in villages, keep the fireplace lit during the 12 days of Christmas.

 

As far as Christmas food and sweets is concerned, in Greece is everything delicious!

Vasilopita is a cake that is eaten on New Year’s Day. Before the cake is baked, a coin covered in foil is placed in it. The New Year is written on top of the cake with almonds. The person who cuts the cake makes the sign of the cross three times above it and then starts serving the pieces, one to each person, the house, Christ, The Virgin Mary and Saint Vasileios. Whoever has the coin in his piece of cake will have luck for the rest of the year.