giovedì 24 gennaio 2013

New Year's customs

After i have finished singing kalanta with Thomas i have to learn more about New Year's customs. I think tradition here is a bit different than the other countries. So, i have asked Yiannis, Dimitris, Anestis, Konstantina, Sofiana and Anastasia to tell me how they spend and what they do on New Year's Eve and day.
I was right! Things here ARE different!

The Greeks call father christmas Ayios Vasilis (Saint Vasilis), the saint's name day celebration is on the 1st of January. The first of January is celebrated as the first day of the year and the day that all children accept their presents.

For the Orthodox Christians Santa Claus dates back to Basil the Great (Ayios Vasilis), who lived in Cappadocia which is the capital of Caesarea (an ancient city of the Byzantine years) he spent almost his entire life helping his fellow man and is in world history as the initiator and first author of organized philanthropy. According to tradition, St. Basil the Great was a lanky, with black eyes and a white beard.

The kids here write their letters to Ayios Vasilis asking him to bring them the gifts they want.  All presents are given on the New Year's Eve midnight. Children wait for Ayios Vasilis to visit and to leave their presents underneath the christmas tree. Rarely he brings presents for the older members of the family! Usually they exchange presents they have to buy alone!!! According to the tradition they do this in memory of the gifts the three magicians brought to the new born Christ. 

Late at night families gather to welcome the new year together and partake in a number of traditions all having to do with good fortune, health/longevity and prosperity for a new stage of life.

In addition to a dinner of lamb, roast pork or turkey, with an extra place set for Ag. Vassili at the table, everyone plays cards or other games of chance to not only pass the time until midnight, but also because it is considered a lucky night whether you win or lose.

Before the stroke of midnight, the lights are turned off to cast darkness on “the old” and all family members exit the home. A person considered lucky is selected and handed the pomegranate, which had been hanging either on or above the door since Christmas.

When the new year turns, the pomegranate is smashed on the floor in front of the door or on the door itself to break it open and reveal an abundance of seeds symbolizing good fortune and prosperity (the more seeds, the more luck), the lights are turned on to cast light on “the new,” and everyone wishes each other “Kali Chronia” or “Chronia Polla.”

The same person, or another considered good or lucky — usually a child because their hearts are innocent and without malice — then steps into the home using the right foot (Kalo Podariko in Greek or good foot), thus giving the family an omen of good luck for the new year. All other family members then follow, also entering with the right foot.

After that everybody starts looking if Ayios Vassilis has come with the presents!

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