3. Content
Flamenco
Sant Fermin festival
Tomatina festival
The Fallas festival
Spanish art La Meninas
The potatoes omelette
Classic music with a classic guitar
Carnival of Tenerife
5
6
6
7
7
7
8
8
Nazar BoncuğU (The Amulet)
Jewellery-pinning ceremony
Hidrellez (spring feast)
The Plateau Festivals
April 23rd International Children’s Day
The Commemoration of ATATÜRK, Youth and Sports Day
Turkish Coffee
9
10
10
13
13
14
16
Colapesce Legend
The Legend of Spring: The Rape of Proserpine
St. Paul’s Celebration
Carnival
The celebration of Saint Sebastian of Palazzolo Acreide
17
18
19
19
20
Christmas in Greece
"Kalanda" or Carols
Sweets & Treats
Easter in Greece
Easter Banquet
Apokries: The Greek Carnival
Patras: The King of Greek Carnivals
Xanthi: The Folk Carnival
The "Old Men" of Skyros
“Flour War” in Galaxidi
32
32
32
33
34
35
36
36
36
37
The Lithuanian Song and Dance Celebration
Užgav n s
Advent
Saint Jonas' Festival
Klaip da Sea Festival
27
28
29
29
30
Śmigus-dyngus – Wet Monday
Christmas in Poland
Traditions of the Christmas
Kupala Night
21
23
25
26
Page 3
4. When we come to the world, we find customs, songs, which are very important for
us.Our parents, grandparents follow fairy tales, they use wise proverbs. Never know what
their authors, who lived long ago, hundreds of years ago. No one can not count how many
people used creations, changed, forgot and remembered again, before they were written
and began to live in our books.
Take a look back to your past, to your roots. Do you know much about it? Everyone
should know his/her nation's way of life, mythology, rituals, customs, traditions, festivals,
dances, folklore and songs. We have to take over and give meaning to the best traditions of
the past and pass them from generation to generation. Traditional culture from the cradle
should be accompanied by a man. When the young generation from childhood has grafted
love and respect for the nation's cultural heritage, develop the national consciousness,
which encourages the desire to nurture and develop their own cultural values through inte-
raction with other cultures.
Page 4
5. Spanish
Reino de España
Capital Madrid, population 46 661 950, official
language Spanish, currency Euro (EUR), area
504 782 km², religion Roman Catholic.
King Chuan Charlos I Coat of arms Flag
One of the most famous
Spanish folk type of music is Fla-
menco. It is a style of music and
dance that has like base Andalusian
music and the dance it has its origin
in S. XVIII.
In the Flamenco, the musical
instruments are voice, clapping, gui-
tar and “castañuelas” and the “cajón
flamenco” is a gypsy instrument.
Spanish Flamenco is often associated
with the Romani people of Spain
(Gypsies) and a number of famous
flamenco artists are of this ethnicity.
Singers and dancers wear traditional
colourful dresses.
This music is still sung and
dances nowadays and people of all
ages like it. Diego Cigala is a popular
flamenco singer, Fondo Flamenco is a
flamenco band and Carlos Piñana is a
flamenco composer.
Jordi O’Riordan &
Pau Esplugues
Flamenco
Page 5
6. Sant Fermín
This festival is celebrated in honor of San
Fermin, the patron saint of Navarra (north of Spain),
this is a religious but also folk festival. People from
all over the world come to Pamplona these days.
This party is celebrated from the 6th to 14th of July
in Pamplona. All the people can participate in this
party. At seven o’clock all the people go to the street
and start the bullfight. The people run in the street in
front of the bulls to the bullsring. This party is very
exciting and dangerous but it is one of the most in-
teresting festivals in Spain.
Marc Adam & Pablo Rosa
It Is a typical festival of Buñol ( Valencia). Its origin dates
back to a joke; a man was in the town square singing and playing
music, when a group of teenagers who were listening decided to start
throwing tomatoes.
Tomatina
Since then every year a
tomatoes fight is held among
people from the village and
tourists.
It was first celebrated
in Buñol in 1945. It is usually
held on the last Wednesday of
August, during the week of
festivities of Buñol.
Participants throw
tomatoes and get involved in
this tomato fight purely for
fun. All the people who want
participate.
Mar Nácher &
Joceline Hidalgo
Page 6
7. Las Meninas is famous painting made by one of the most important Spanish artists of all time,
Velázquez. It was made in 1656 in the palace of the king Felipe IV and its a portrait of his family, but he
also includes himself in the painting, and now the painting is in the Museum of Prado, (Madrid).
Jordi O’Riordan & Pau Esplugues
Spanish art
Las Meninas
The artist: Diego Velázquez The painting “Las Meninas”
The potatoes omelette
The potatoes omelette is a tipycal Spanish dish. In 1519, in Europe
and in America, already began to prepare the potatoes omelette. Nowadays in
Spain the potatoes omelette is popular to eat hot or cold, for lunch or dinner,
etc. People eat it at hom, in a bar or when they go in an outing to the country-
side, it can be eaten everywhere. The ingredients are: potato, egg, olive oil,
salt.
By: J.Marcos & Daniel Monje
The Fallas
Fallas, is a festivity of Valencia, there are different speculations
regarding the origin of the Falles festival. One suggests that the Falles started in
the Middle Ages, when artisans disposed of the broken artifacts and pieces of
wood they saved during the winter by burning them to celebrate the spring
equinox.
The five days and nights of Falles are a continuous party, it begins on
14th March. Each neighbourhood of the city has an organized group of people,
the Casal faller, that works all year long holding fundraising parties and dinners,
like the famous speciallity paella (typical rice dish). Each casal faller produces a
construction known as a falla which is eventually burnt. A casal faller is also
known as a comissió fallera.
Josep Llanes
Page 7
8. Classic music with a classic guitar
Spanish classic mu-
sic is played with the classic
guitar. The guitar is a very
popular instrument in Spain.
There is evidence
that a four-stringed instru-
ment similar to the guitar
was played by the Hittites
(who occupied a region now
SPANISH TRADITION
Carnival Tenerife
The Carnival of Tenerife (Canary
islands) is a festival that is celebrated in
February or in March according to the year.
It is celebrated from 1605. The place where
it is done is in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Dur-
ing the holidays several famous events are
celebrated, including: Choice of show of the
Carnival queen, cavalcade and Burial of the
Sardine. People of Tenerife participates
very actively in the festival. It is a very col-
ourful festival and girls wear very heavy
and elaborated dresses.
Ester Donat & Marcella Sáez
Page 8
known as Asia Minor and Syria) about 1400 BC. This
instrument was characterized by its smooth and curved
sides - one of the first basic features of any identifiable
instrument predecessor of the guitar. The Greeks also
produced an instrument like that was later modified by
the Romans. Both versions seem lack the curved sides.
What is interesting here is that this cithara Roman ap-
peared in Spain centuries before the Moorish invasion.
The most popular Spanish guitarrists of the 20th
& 21st C are Paco de Lucia and Nèstor Mont.
Marc Adam & Pablo Rosa
9. Turkey
Türkiye Cumhuriyeti
Capital Ankara, population 77 861 312, offi-
cial language Turkish, currency Turkish lira,
area 780,580 km², religion Islam.
Coat of arms Flag
President
Abdullah G l
Nazar BoncuğU (The Amulet)
Page 9
A nazar boncuğu is an eye-shaped amulet believed to protect against
the evil eye. The word "nazar" is derived from the Arabic "sight" or "seeing".
A typical amulet is made of handmade glass featuring concentric circles or
teardrop shapes in dark blue, white, light blue and black, occasionally with a
yellow/gold edge. It is often hung in homes, offices, cars, children's clothing,
or incorporated in jewellery and ornaments. Its most important characteristic is
its alleged power to protect its owner from danger or harm.
The amulet, nazar boncuğu, can be in different shapes and sizes and it
is also used as a designal pattern on some clothes or objects.
Gözde KATIRCI/ 11th
Grade
10. While the relatives are pinning the gold
or the money, both the bride and the groom kiss
them. The first ones to pin something to the
couple are the parents and sisters or brothers of
the bride and then the groom. After the cere-
mony finishes, the new couple and the guests
dance together.
Nur Aleyna KUL/11th Grade
ceremonies or various rituals at every place in which mankind lives. Within the seasonal cycle, winter
symbolizes death; spring symbolizes revival or regeneration of life. Thus, time for the days full of hope,
Page 10
There are some special ceremonies that are held
during the Turkish weddings. In order to help the newly
married couple with their expenditures, all the guests pin
gold, jewellery or money on a ribbon which is worn by
the bride and the groom. Generally, the groom’s relative
spin them to the groom and those of the bride’s do the
same for the bride.
Hıdırellez or Hıdrellez is celebrated
as the day on which Prophets Hızır and Ilyas
met on the earth. The words Hızır and lyas
have since used together pronounced as
Hıdırellez. One widespread belief suggests
that Hızır has attained immortality by
drinking the water of life. He often wanders
on the earth, especially in the spring, and
helps people in difficulty. People see him as
a source of bounty and health, as the festival
takes place in spring, the time of new life.
To date, the arrival of spring or summer,
figuratively meaning the rebirth of nature or
the end of winter, has been celebrated with
JEWELLERY-PINNING CEREMONY
HIDRELLEZ (SPRING FEAST)
11. health, happiness and success comes.
Therefore, Hıdırellez Day is highly significant
since it is believed to be the day on which Hızır
and lyas met on the earth, which is accepted as
the arrival of spring/ summer. In Turkey, it is
widely believed that Hızır is the prophet who
while bringing fertility to man wanders on the
earth and as for the prophet lyas, he is
accepted as the water deity.
In order to fulfill some of their
missions, these two prophets wander around the
land and the sea throughout the year and meet
on May 6. This meeting stands for the fusion of
the land and water.
Today, the ceremonial activities for
Hıdırellez are prevalently and elaborately
prepared especially in villages or towns rather
than metropolises. The preparations for the
celebrations are associated with the issues as
cleaning the house (before Hıdrellez Day,
houses are cleaned from top to bottom, since
people think that Hızır will not visit houses that
are not clean) and the garments, dress, finery
and food-drink and doing shopping for the
feast. The indoor of the houses and the outdoor
places as gardens are supposed to be clean,
because Hızır is expected to visit the houses on
that day. Almost everywhere, garments and
other apparels and food-beverages are common
components of Hıdırellez ceremonies.
Page 11
All the preparations related to the
ceremonies are of particular concern to the
young men or women, since Hıdırellez is
regarded as the most proper occasion for the
youth-willing to marry in the future-to find
a suitable match.
Hıdrellez ceremonies are held in the
countryside near the cities, towns or
villages where generally streams, lakes or
other water springs exist. By great majority,
there are tombs or shrines open to visits in
those locations which are placed on hills.
Bearing the specific features, Hıdırlıks are
particularly chosen for Hıdırellez
ceremonies.
As Hızır is believed to be a healer,
some ritual practices as regards to health
issues can be seen on Hıdırellez Day. On
that day, meals cooked by lamb meat are
traditionally feasted. It is believed that on
Hıdırellez Day all kinds or species of the
living, plants and trees revive in a new
cycle of life, therefore the meat of the lambs
grazing on the land which Hızır walks
through is assumed as the source of health
and happiness. In addition to these, some
special meals besides lamb meat are cooked
on that day.
The other ritual practice for seeking
health and cure is the ritual of jumping over
the fire which is built by old belongings or
bushes. While uttering prayers and riddles,
people jump over the fire at least three
times. That fire is called Hıdırellez fire;
hence, it is believed that all illnesses or
diseases are warded off all the year long.
Another ritual practice for having good
health on Hıdırellez Day is to be awash or
bath by water brought from some holy
places. It is believed that all the wishes and
prayers come true on the eve and the very
day of Hıdırellez.
If one wishes to have more
properties, she makes a small rough model
of it onto the ground in the garden and
Hıdırlık. Occasionally, the wishes or
prayers are written on a piece of paper and
thrown at a river or sea nearby.
12. Various practices are performed on Hıdrellez night
in the belief that Hızır will bring blessing and abundance
to the places he visits and the things he touches.
Foodbowls, pantries and purses are left open. And
definitely a window is left open for Hızır to visit the
house. Those who want a house, or garden believe that
Hızır will help them obtain such things if they make a
small model of what they want. Some also hang models
and papers on which their wishes are written on a Nahil
Tree. It is also a tradition to throw those papers into a
running water or sea enabling Hızır to pick them and to
carry out the wishes written.
Yasemin YAVUZ, 11th
Grade
Page 12
13. The Plateau Festivals
The Plateau Festivals are of the
most famous of all Turkish festivities in
The Black Sea Region. The festivals
take place on high plateaus which are
called ‘yayla’. They dance as a big cir-
cle and play their national folk dance
‘horon’.
Some musical events, such as concerts, also take place.
Some of the celebrations suggest a ritualistic origin from an-
cient and forgotten hostilities related to the delicate issue of
yayla demarcation amongst the various communities of the
mountains. The most important aspect of these festivals is their
unifying aspect as too many people from different parts of the
country come together with peace.
Elanur AKSOY/ 10th Grade
APRIL 23rd
INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S DAY
This national day (23rd
April National Sovereignty and Children's Day) in Turkey is a unique
event. The founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, dedicated April 23 to the children of
the country to emphasize that they are the future of the new nation. It was on April 23, 1920, during the
War of Independence, that the Grand National Assembly met in Ankara and laid down the foundations of a
new, independent, secular, and modern republic from the ashes of the Ottoman Empire. Following the
defeat of the Allied invasion forces on September 9, 1922 and the signing of the Treaty of Lausanne on
July 24, 1923, Atatürk started his task of establishing the institutions of the new state. Over the next eight
years, Atatürk and his followers adopted sweeping reforms to create a modern Turkey, divorced from her
Ottoman past. In unprecedented moves, he dedicated the sovereignty day to the children and entrusted in
the hands of the youth the protection of this sovereignty and independence.
Page 13
14. Every year, the children in Turkey celebrate this "Sovereignty and Children's Day" as a national
holiday. Schools participate in week-long ceremonies marked by performances in all fields in large
stadiums watched by the entire nation. Among the activities on this day, the children send their
representatives to replace state officials and high ranking bureaucrats in their offices. The President, the
Prime Minister, the Cabinet Ministers, provincial governors all turn over their positions to children's
representatives. These children, in turn, sign executive orders relating to educational and environmental
policies. On this day, the children also replace the parliamentarians in the Grand National Assembly and
hold a special session to discuss matters concerning children's issues.
During their stay in Turkey, the foreign children are housed in Turkish homes and find an important
opportunity to interact with the Turkish kids and learn about each other's countries and cultures. The
foreign children groups also participate in the special session of the Grand National Assembly. This results
in a truly international Assembly where children pledge their commitment to international peace and
brotherhood.
The importance of April 23 as a special day of children has been recognized by the
international community. UNICEF decided to recognize this important day as the International
Children's Day.
Beyzanur ATALAY/ 10th
Grade
THE COMMEMORATION OF ATATÜRK, YOUTH AND SPORTS DAY (19th May)
The founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, arrived in Samsun on May 19, 1919,
to start a popular uprising against the decision of the World War I allies to divide many territories of the
defeated Ottoman Empire. Turkey presently accepts the date of Atatürk’s arrival in Samsun as the starting
date of the Turkish War of Independence. Following Atatürk’s wish, the Turkish government declared May
19 to be Youth and Sports Day and made it an official holiday in 1938. The day received its present name,
the “Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day”, in 1981, which became the 100th anniversary of
Atatürk’s birth.
Over the last two
decades, the Turkish
officials have been
w o r k i n g h a r d t o
internationalize this
important day. Their
efforts resulted in large
number of world states'
sending groups of children
to Turkey to participate in
the above stated festivities.
Page 14
15. Many Turks also observe
May 19 as Atatürk’s birthday.
Although the exact date of his birth
is not known, Atatürk used to say
he was born on May 19 (referring
to his political career). Many people
lay wreaths to Atatürk’s
monuments and hang Turkish flags
outside their windows.
The Commemoration of
Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day is
an official holiday in Turkey. All
administration buildings, post
offices, schools, and most
businesses are closed on this day.
Public transport routes may vary in
the event of marathons and similar
events.
The Turkish flag, images of
Atatürk and the boat on which he
arrived in Samsun, as well as
images related to sports are the
symbols of the Commemoration of
Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day in
Turkey.
Elif KEBELEK/ 11th
Grade
In the run-up
to the May 19
celebrations, young
Turkish athletes
carry the national
flag from Samsun a
Black Sea port from
where Mustafa
Kemal Atatürk
started Turkey’s War
of Independence in
1919, to Ankara, the
country’s capital.
T h e m a r a t h o n
usually takes about
10 days. The Turkish
president accepts the
flag at a ceremony
on May 19.
Various sports events take place on May 19 throughout Turkey. Many people celebrate this day by
watching athletes perform at their local stadiums or by participating in sports events that are open to the
public, such as half-marathons. University students usually prepare special programs for their teachers and
parents on this day.
Page 15
16. TURKISH COFFEE
Turkish coffee is a method of preparing coffee.
Roasted and then finely ground coffee beans are boiled in
a pot (cezve), usually with sugar, and served in a cup
where the grounds are allowed to settle. It is a symbol of
hospitality.
It forces you to stop and rest. This is simply because you have to sit down first
before you can even take a sip. Otherwise it will spill on you due to the tiny cups. In other
words it is not the kind of a beverage you just grab and run or drive with!
Teaches patience. You have to cook it slowly for the best results. The process
requires about 5-10 minutes of preparation time (depending on the quantity). It cannot be
rushed, but it is well worth the wait! (We support the "slow food" movement).
Makes you relax. When you are ready to sit down to have your brew, you will
generally be pretty calm due to anticipating a period of rest and relaxation in a perfect
mind-set to enjoy a delicious cup of foamy coffee, sip by sip!
Encourages conversation. In the Turkish tradition, freshly brewed coffee is typically
shared with someone you care about like family, friends, business acquaintances etc. The
idea is to sit down together, savoring the flavors and the friendship while you converse!
What Makes drinking
Turkish coffee so special?
Fatma DOĞAN/ 11th
Grade
Turkish coffee is really
all about socializing and
relaxing. It also makes a
fantastic after meal drink
(because it is known to help in
the digestion process) and is an
anti carcinogen! Finally, it is
economical, because you don't
need to use as much coffee!
Page 16
17. Italy
Repubblica Italiana
Capital Rome, population 60 642 308, official
language Italian, currency Euro (EUR), area
301 338km² , religion Roman Catholic.
Coat of arms
President
Giorgio Napolitano Flag
Colapesce Legend
History and Myth In Sicily
Colapesce is the most loved and known Sicilian legends in the
world. Many American and European poets had written story based on its.
Colapesce is from Messina. He is son of a fishing man and he spent his
days swimming in the sea. One day his mother tired for his behaviour
throw him a spell. So Cola became half man and half fish and never came
back to the land. One day Sicily King, listened his story, wanted to meet
him. He went near Messina, where Colapesce lived, and threw a golden
cup in the waves. Cola took it from the submarine abyss and told the king
what marvellous things he had seen. The king threw in the sea his crown
and Cola took it and told that he has seen Sicily held by three columns.
Sicily is a fantastic land, in which dream and reality became one and everything seems possi-
ble.
Mito: from the Greek Myth, means a story with hidden philosophical truth. It's used to
teach, like a parable.
Legend: it's a story derived from an historical event really happened. In the oral tradition the
history absorbed imaginary particulars that transformed it.
Page 17
18. One was deleted, the other was in bad condition, only one was good. He also told that in the abyss
there was a magical fire. The king didn't believe him and threw, for the third time, his golden ring in sea.
Cola, dived again, but he told the king if he had seen legumes went back afloat, meant he had remained in
the bottom to the sea. After some hours the ring went back, but it was burnt. Later also the legumes went
back, and they had burned too. Cola had remained in the bottom to the sea, maybe to support the last col-
umn. Its sacrifice saved Sicily, and that's why Sicilian people love him so much.
The Legend of Spring: THE RAPE OF PROSERPINE
Torch in hand, her sorrowing mother sought her through the wide world, and finding her not she
forbade the earth to put forth its increase. So all that year not a blade of corn grew on the earth, and men
would have died of hunger if Zeus had not persuaded Pluto to let Proserpine go. But before he let her go
Pluto made her eat the seed of a pomegranate, and thus she could not stay away from him for ever. So it
was arranged that she should spend one-half of every year with her mother and the heavenly gods, and
should pass the rest of the year with Pluto beneath the earth. There can be little doubt that this is a
mythological expression for the growth of vegetation in spring and its disappearance in autumn.. Her char-
acter of goddess of the spring was honoured with flower-festivals in Sicily.
PROSERPINE (Proserpina), the
Latin form of Persephone,' a Greek
goddess, daughter of Zeus and the
earth-goddess Demeter. In Greek my-
thology. Demeter and Proserpine were
closely associated, being known to-
gether as the two goddesses, the vener-
able or august goddesses, sometimes as
the great goddesses. Proserpine herself
was commonly known as the daughter
(Core), sometimes as the first-born. As
she was gathering flowers with her
playmates in a meadow, the earth
opened and Pluto, god of the dead, ap-
peared and carried her off to be his
queen in the world below.
Page 18
19. St. Paul’s celebration is the most important festivity in Palazzolo. This Saint is celebrated on 29th
June. At 13.00 the saint’s simulacrum comes out of the church on a particular structure which is carried
by shoulder by fifty devotees. During the coming-out the Saint is acclaimed with hundreds fireworks and
a lot of little pieces of paper called “’nzareddi” (look at the picture). A particular use is to relieve chil-
dren to the simulacrum for a benediction .
After, at the 15.00 circa, the simulacrum returns in its church and the celebration restarts in the
evening when it goes around the town and a lot of devotees decide to make an offer to the simulacrum.
At midnight, it returns again in to the church with a lot of fireworks often accompanied by music.
ST. PAUL’S CELEBRATION
Carnival
In Palazzolo Acreide, carnival is celebrated
about 40 days before Easter.
During the celebration people use to wear
costumes and dance to the carnival music through
the streets, while drinking some wine and eating
some typical food, such as sausage’s sub.
The main characteristic of this celebration
are the “allegorical floats”, giant-sized puppets
representing caricatures of politics’ characters.
Page 19
20. The Saint is celebrated on
the 20th January as well as the
10th of August. The celebrations
last 10 days and are a really big
event. Many people come from all
parts of Sicily and the world to ta-
ke part and enjoy the great attrac-
tions such as the beautiful church
and the fireworks shows. On the
10th of August the “sciuta” takes
place on the churchyard. While the
saint’s simulacrum comes out of
the church’s main door, carried on
the shoulders of devoted volun-
teers, thousands of “nsareddi” (2
meters long coloured paper stripes)
are shot in the air with mortars and
fireworks in the background. Then,
the saint’s simulacrum goes on a
procession through the main streets
of the town, followed by thousands
of devouts and barefoot women,
while naked children get rised in
front of the saint for good herald.
At night time, a great fireworks
show , synchronized to music, ta-
kes place once again on the chur-
chyard, ending the celebrations,
while the simulacrum enters its
chamber, where it will stay until
the next day of celebration the next
year.
The celebration of
Saint Sebastian in
Palazzolo Acreide
In the province of Syracuse,
the cult of Saint Sebastian, elected
by the church as “depulsor pestis”
and defender of faith, is prior to
1414, year of the arrival of the mi-
racolous statue of the Saint in Me-
lilli. Ever since that year, the cult of
Saint Sebastian diffused
extraordinarily in the Iblei area and
it then strengthened in entire Sicily.
In Palazzolo Acreide, the big devo-
tion to this Saint is very ancient, as
there are many proofs of its
existence since 15th century.
Page 20
21. Poland
Rzeczpospolita Polska
Capital Varsaw, population 38 536 869, official
languag Polish, currency Zloty (PLN), area
312,679 km², religion Roman Catholic.
Coat of arms
President
Bronislaw Komorowski Flag
ŚmigusŚmigusŚmigusŚmigus----dyngusdyngusdyngusdyngus –––– Wet MondayWet MondayWet MondayWet Monday
The second day of the Easter is called Easter Monday and in Po-
land this is special day called 'śmigus-dyngus'- Wet Monday. The cus-
tom at first was connected with ceremonies to celebrate the passing win-
ter. The people enjoyed the coming spring.
Page 21
Śmigus and Dyngus for a long time were separate cus-
toms. Śmigus mainly consisted of symbolic leg beating with
Easter palms and pouring cold water on people. It symbolized
a spring cleaning from dirt, illnesses and sins. Dyngus came
from the custom of paying a visit to acquaintances and fami-
lies. A customary snack was served.
22. Page 22
Traditionally, boys throw wa-
ter over girls and spank them with
willow branches. Wet girls could be
sure that they will get married this
year. Particularly attractive girls could
expect to be soaked repeatedly during
the day.
At first the custom of pouring water over peo-
ple was only known in the country.
In cities distinguished men confided them-
selves only to spraying young girls with perfume or
rose water.
Today it can be an unforgettable experience when water is about 0 °C but it’s only a joke and
every reason for a smile is good ☺
Diana Górska II a
23. Page 23
Christmas in Poland
Everyone loves Christmas. It is the most favourite
and most eagerly awaited holiday each year. This is a
unique time when people try be kind, friendly and gener-
ous to one another. They forget about their problems and
enjoy being together. Christmas is preceded by many days
of preparation. Streets are lit by coloured lamps, shops are
full of people buying presents, choosing Christmas cards.
Christmas trees are set up in every home and decorated
with special lamps, candles and toys.
The atmosphere of
excitement and expectation
can be felt almost every-
where. The day preceding
Christmas Eve is a unique
one. It is believed that every-
thing that might happen on
the day might influence the
whole year to come. Some
people say that if you ask for
food on that day, you will be
hungry throughout the year.
The moment everyone waits
for is Christmas Eve. When
the firs star appears in the
sky, people take seats at the
Christmas table. They don't
forget about leaving an
empty place for an unex-
pected guest. The table is
covered with a white table-
cloth and hay is spread under
it.
On the table traditionally there should be twelve dishes and everybody must try all of them. The most
popular dishes are red borsch, pies or sauerkraut with mushrooms, fish- carp and poppy-seed cake.
24. Before the family starts eating all its mem-
bers share the holy wafer a kind of white paper thin
wafer.
At midnight many people go to church to attend a special mass during which Christmas carols are
sung. This night is miraculous because it is believed that animals can speak with human voice. The first
day of Christmas is usually spend at home. On that day carol- singers dressed as an angel, a devil, King
Herod or Death visit people's houses. They sing carols and people give them money for it.
The second day of Christmas is spent in a
different way. The most often people go to their
families for a Christmas dinner.
Page 24
Children can’t wait to get presents
which they find under a Christmas tree or are
handed up by someone dressed up as Santa
Clause.
25. Christmas traditions
Page 25
Julita Karetko, kl. 2a
Poles are a nation fond of celebrating, tied to tradition,
supporting the old customs. Bounding to the tradition is most
likely seen at the time of the greatest church holidays such as
Christmas, Easter and Corpus Christi. I’m going to give you a
closer look at some Christmas traditions.
Roman Catholic Christmas is celebrated on December
25 but is preceded by an advent (the three-week fast). In
churches Christmas celebration begins the day before the anni-
versary of the birth of Jesus-Christmas Eve (December 24,
evening), hereinafter referred to as "The Star". At this day
Poles are obliged to a strict fast. The highlight of this day is
supper. Following the tradition, the family is required to sit
after the appearance of the first stars in the sky, the symbol of
a first star leading the Magi to the stable.
Christmas Eve supper begins with common prayers and
reading the Gospel of the birth of Jesus, and later followed by
sharing mutual wishes submission accompanied by a wafer.
Supper consists of 12 Lenten dishes (including carp, beetroot
soup with dumplings, dumplings with mushrooms, juice made
of dried fruits) to commemorate the 12 Apostles. Tradition
dictates to try each of the dishes, as a sign of respect for the
food given from God. A Christmas Eve tablecloth cannot miss
some hay underneath, as a sign of the birth of Jesus in the sta-
ble. After dinner comes Santa Claus, who distributes gifts for
the polite children and adults. He’s traditionally dressed in a
red coat, lugging a huge sack of presents on his back. At night,
usually at midnight, in the churches raise awareness and be-
gins a solemn mass called Pasterka. According to tradition, it
commemorates the arrival of the shepherds to Bethlehem and
their tribute for the newly born Messiah.
In all houses there is a beautifully decorated Christmas
tree, without which it is hard to imagine Christmas.
On December 25 the whole family sits together for
Christmas Eve. The inseparable part of Christmas is singing
carols that tell about the birth of Jesus. In Polish tradition we
have a lot of them (among others. Today in Bethlehem, Silent
Night.
The celebrations of Christmas Eve and related customs
and rituals, and especially the cult practices have survived to
the present day because one needs them to nurture and sustain
their soul.
26. Kupala Night
Page 26
Kupala Night, Ivan Kupala Day (Feast of St. John the
Baptist; Polish: NocKupały) is celebrated in Poland
(Mazowsze and Podlasie) currently on the night of 23/24
June in the Gregorian or New Style calendar, which is 6/7
July in the Julian or Old Style calendar still used by many Or-
thodox Churches. Calendar-wise, it is opposite to the winter
holiday Koliada. The celebration relates to the summer sol-
stice when nights are the shortest and includes a number of
fascinating Pagan rituals.
Some early mythology scholars, such as Sir James Frazer,
claimed that the holiday was originally Kupala; a pagan fertil-
ity rite later accepted into the Orthodox Christian calendar.
There are analogues for celebrating the legacy of St. John
around the time of the summer solstice elsewhere, including
St. John's Day in Western Europe.
The Ukrainian, Belarusian and Russian name of this
holiday combines "Ivan" (John — the Baptist) and Kupala
which is related to a word derived from the Slavic word for
bathing, which is cognate. The latter is reinterpreted as John's
baptizing people through full immersion in water (therefore
his biblical title of the Baptist). However, the tradition of Ku-
pala predates Christianity. Due to the popularity of the pagan
celebration that with time it was simply accepted and reestab-
lished as one of the native Christian traditions intertwined
with local folklore.
On Kupala day the youth jump over the flames of bonfires in a ritual testing of one's bravery and
faith. A couple in love's failure to complete the jump while holding their hands is a sign of their destined
separation.
Girls would float wreaths of flowers often lit with candles on rivers and would attempt to gain
foresight into their relationship fortunes from the flow patterns of the flowers on the river. Men may at-
tempt to capture the wreaths, in the hope of capturing the interest of the woman who floated the wreath.
There is an ancient Kupala belief, that the eve of Ivan Kupala is the only time of the year when ferns
bloom. Prosperity, luck, discernment and power would befall on whoever finds a fern flower. Therefore,
on that night village folks would roam through the forests in search of magical herbs and especially the
elusive fern flower.
Traditionally, unmarried women, signified by their garlands on their hair, would be the first to
enter the forests. They are followed by young men. Therefore, consequent to the quest in finding herbs
and the fern flower may be the blooming of relationships between pairs of men and women within the
forest. It is to be noted that biologists have held the persistent scientific fact that ferns have never and will
never bloom.
In Gogol's story The Eve of Ivan Kupala a young man finds the fabulous fern-flower but is cursed
by it. Gogol's tale may have been the stimulus for Modest Mussorgsky to compose his tone poem Night
on Bald Mountain.
The holiday is still enthusiastically celebrated by younger people of the Eastern Europe. The night
preceding the holiday (Tvorila night) is considered the night for "good humour" mischiefs (which some-
times would raise concerns of law enforcement agencies). On Ivan Kupala day itself, children are engaged
in water fights and perform pranks mostly involving pouring water over someone.
Many of the rites related to this holiday within Slavic religious beliefs, due to the ancient Kupala
rites, are connected with the role of water in fertility and ritual purification.
27. Lithuania
Lietuva
Capital Vilnius, population 2 988 381, official
language Lithuanian, currency Litas (LTL), area
65,300 km², religion Roman Catholic.
President
Dalia Grybauskait Coat of arms Flag
The Lithuanian Song and Dance Celebration
The Lithuanian Song
and Dance Celebration is an
undoubtedly significant
Lithuanian cultural tradition
when the human self-
expression, love and solida-
rity for the homeland create
the unforgettable event
where thousands are able to
participate in, and which at-
tracts visitors from all over
the world, especially Lithua-
nian emigrants to come back
home at least for one magni-
ficent week.
Page 27
28. Užgav n s is a Lithuanian festi-
val that takes place during the seventh
week before Easter (Ash Wednesday).
Its name in English means "the time
before Lent". The celebration corres-
ponds to Roman Catholic holiday tradi-
tions in other parts of the world, such
as Mardi Gras, Shrove Tuesday, and
Carnaval.
Užgav n s begins on the night
before Ash Wednesday, when an effigy
of winter (usually named Mor ) is
burnt. A major element of the holiday,
meant to symbolize the defeat of winter
in the Northern Hemisphere, is a staged
battle between Lašininis ("porky") pe-
rsonifying winter and Kanapinis
("hempen man") personifying spring.
Devils, witches, goats, the grim reaper,
gypsies, and other joyful and frighte-
ning characters appear in costumes du-
ring the celebrations.
T h e p a r t i c i p a n t s a n d
masqueraders dance and eat the tradi-
tional dish of the holiday - pancakes
with a variety of toppings, since round
pancakes are a symbol of the returning
sun. In Lithuania's capital Vilnius, the
celebration takes place on Gediminas
Avenue, as well as at many youth orga-
nizations. The festival is a major event
at Rumšišk s park.
Užgav n s
The Lithuanian Song and Dance Celebration is a national level occasion which is even included in-
to the UNESCO World Heritage list as to be an accredited world-line cultural worth.The main concerts of
Lithuanian Song and Dance Celebration are held on the huge stage in Vingis park.
Page 28
29. Advent
The Season of Advent, which begins on a Sunday about four weeks before Christmas Day, is celeb-
rated by Catholic .It is a time for people to prepare themselves for two different things: for the coming of
the baby Jesus and Christmas, and for the Second Coming of Jesus, when he shall rule over all the Earth in
peace. Some people use it as a time of fasting, study, meditation and prayer. Special Advent Calendars are
made for children, with pictures or treats for each day of Advent.
Generally, Advent is a time when many people are very busy in preparation for Christmas Day,
cleaning and decorating, buying food and gifts, writing cards and letters, and cooking the Christmas feast.
Some churches use special candles during advent. Advent starts on the fourth Sunday before December 25,
which is the Sunday between November 27 and December 3.
Advent (Latin Adventus means coming) - concentration, preparation of Christ's coming into the
world, lasting nearly a month. This is a faithful reflection of concentration and time when Catholics abstain
from noisy fun and festive.
The beginning of Advent - St. Andrew's Day is about November 30th
and always ends on Decem-
ber 25, Christmas Day. In the past, during the Advent people fasted (did not eat meat, milk) three times a
week (Wednesday, Friday and Sunday), it is now - only on Friday.
Before the Advent people weave Advent wreath with four candle. Every Sunday for four weeks in a
row, lit one candle. On Christmas Eve, on the wreath must burn all four candles.
During Advent we must not sit a long time, especially after midnight, because evil spirits haunted
the people - they knocked on the windows and who looks at them, he can avoid death. Although parties,
dancing and singing were not allowed, people came up with a less noisy entertainment.
Saint Jonas' Festival
Midsummer Day or St. John's Day is a midsummer folk
festival celebrated on June 24 all around Lithuania. While mid-
summer day is celebrated throughout Europe, many Lithuanians
have a particularly lively agenda on this day. The traditions inc-
lude singing songs and dancing until the sun sets, telling tales,
searching to find the magic fern blossom at midnight, jumping
over bonfires, greeting the rising midsummer sun and washing
the face with a morning dew, young girls float flower wreaths on
the water of river or lake.
Page 29
30. These are customs brought from pagan culture and beliefs. The latter Christian tradition is based on
the reverence of Saint John the Baptist. Lithuanians with the names Jonas, Jon , Janina receive many gree-
tings from their family, relatives and friends.
Klaip da Sea Festival
The Klaip da sea festival is con-
ducted every year in Klaip da city in
Lithuania between twenty sixth July
and twenty nineth June. It has been ta-
king place for over seventy years now
and is a very important sea festival in
Lithuania. The third largest city in
Lithuania and situated in the west, Klai-
p da has around two lakh inhabitants
and is a perfect place to pick if you
want to enjoy those months in summer. The location of it on the coast of the Baltic Sea and the Curonian
lagoon is where the entire place got its fame.
The Klaip da sea festival draws nearly half a million people every year and there is a great deal of
variety that can be found in it every year. Each year brings with it a different flavor and style to
the Klaip da sea festival. Many local dishes are made and served right on the street. The most popular fea-
ture of the Klaip da sea festival are the arts and crafts stores put up by over three hundred craftsmen and
artists who come to the festival every year.
Apart from this, the
talented musicians who at-
tend the Klaip da sea festi-
val every year play various
genres of music.
Apart form shop-
ping, the Klaip da sea festi-
val is also very famous for
the Baltic Sprint Cup regatta
and other international sai-
ling events like the Baltic
Sailing.
Page 30
32. "Kalanda" or Carols
• Sweets & Treats
Traditional culinary delights symbolize good luck in the New Year
and adorn the white-clothed tables.
"Melomakarona" (honey cookies) and "kourabiedes” (sugar cookies
with almonds) are the most characteristic and they characterize the beginning
of Christmas festivity.
Another traditional custom that dates back to the Byzantine times is the slic-
ing of Vassilopita (St.Basil’s pie or New Year’s Cake).
The person who finds the hidden coin in his slice of the cake is con-
sidered to be lucky for the rest of the year.
(Xristougenna), the Feast of the Nativity of Jesus is one of the most joyful days of the Greek Or-
thodox Church. Traditionally, the Christmas holiday period in Greece lasts 12 days, until January 6, which
marks the celebration of the Feast of the Holy Theophany (Epiphany). There are many customs associated
with the Christmas holidays, some of which are relatively recent, “imported” from other parts of the world
(like eating turkey on Christmas day and decorating the Christmas tree). In the past, Greeks decorated
small Christmas boats in honour of St. Nicholas and today, they are increasingly choosing to decorate
boats, instead of trees, reviving this age-old Christmas tradition.
Greek Customs and Traditions
The singing of Christmas carols (or
kalanda) is a custom preserved in its entirety to
this day. On Christmas and New Year Eve, chil-
dren go from house to house in groups singing the
carols, accompanied usually by the sounds of the
musical instrument "triangle," but also by guitars,
accordions, lyres and harmonicas. Until some
time ago, children were rewarded with pastries
but nowadays they are usually given money.
Page 32
Christmas in Greece
33. On Saturday morning, preparations start for the festive dinner and a special soup is cooked called
“maghiritsa”.
Shortly before midnight, people gather in church holding white candles which they light with the
“Holy Light” distributed by the priest. When the latter chants “Christ is risen” (Christos Anesti), people
exchange wishes and the so-called “Kiss of Love”.
Easter is a moveable holiday. Its celebration
falls on the first Sunday after the full moon of the
spring equinox. All over Greece, a plethora of customs
and traditions are observed during the week prior to
Easter, the Holy Week. The preparations for the cele-
bration of the Resurrection start on Holy Thursday. On
that day, housewives traditionally prepare special cakes
named tsourekia, biscuits and red colour eggs. The use
of egg is a symbol of rebirth while the red color stands
for the blood of Christ. In the past, in many households,
people used to place the first red egg on the icon stand
of the house in order to cast out evil spirits.
Friday is the most sacred day of the Holy Week,
the day of the culmination of the passion of Christ with
the deposition from the cross and Christ’s burial. Be-
cause it is a day of mourning, housewives avoid doing
housework. Women and children go to church to deco-
rate the Epitaph (Bier of Christ) with flowers, while in
the evening the Epitaph procession takes place.
Considered the most important holiday on Greek calendar and one of the richest in folklore, the
celebration of Orthodox Easter (Pascha) is unique throughout Greece. From Crete to Macedonia, Easter
customs become a herald of the spirit’s and nature’s rebirth, while Easter celebrations constitute a vivid
aspect of the folk culture, rich in meaning and symbolism.
Easter in Greece
The Feast of all Feasts
Page 33
34. With the “Holy Light” of the candles they make three times the sign of the cross on the door post
over the front door of their houses for good luck. Then they all gather around the table, they crack red eggs
and wish one another Christos Anesti. On Sunday morning, mainly in Greek countryside, lamb is prepared
on the spit and people eat and dance usually until late at night.
Easter is by far the holiest of Greek holi-
days, but it is also the most joyous, a celebration
of spring, of rebirth in its literal as well as figu-
rative sense. As Greeks leave the cities in droves
to spend Easter in the countryside, food is cen-
tral to all festivities.
The Easter table is a reflection of tradition
combined with the seasonality of Greek cuisine. The
ingredients, the seasonings, and the dishes might differ
from place to place, there is always one rule surely
followed: nothing must be wasted.
The most typical dishes are whole lambs on a
spit, slowly roasting; red-dyed eggs; braided sweet
breads (tsoureki); Easter soup (magiritsa) and grilled
tripe roll (kokoretsi).
Easter Banquet
Travelling
Travelling in Greece during Greek Orthodox Easter offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy the
Greek countryside and to experience some traditional and festive atmosphere.
Visiting the Ionian island of Corfu during Easter is ideal, since the town hosts the most splendid and
melodic celebrations in the country, with the city’s philharmonics in full action. On Holy Saturday morn-
ing, one of the highlights is the dropping of ceramic pots "botides" full of water from the windows onto the
cobblestone streets.
In the Aegean island of Chios, another custom takes place where residents of the village of Vronta-
dos revive the tradition of "the rocket war." After Resurrection, Vrontados breaks into a pandemonium of
fireworks lighting up the midnight sky.
In the Cycladic island of Tinos, on Holy Friday, parishioners of both Orthodox and Catholic
churches carry the Holy Sepulchers of their churches to the port, where they join forces in chanting hymns,
before each Sepulcher follows its own itinerary through neighborhoods.
Page 34
35. Greece’s Carnival season known as "Apokries" is
mainly a period of masquerading, but also eating, drinking
and dancing. Traditionally, it begins ten weeks before Greek
Orthodox Easter and culminates on the weekend before
"Clean Monday," (Ash Monday) the first day of Lent.
"Apokria", literally means “goodbye” to the period of meat-
eating, or abstinence from meat (Apo-kreo, meaning away
from meat). The following week is a fast-free week un-
til Meatfare Sunday which is the last day before Easter for
eating meat. (Apo-kreo, meaning away from meat).
On Thursday of this week which is known as Tsiknopempti - Charred, Smoky or Barbeque Thurs-
day- because of the smell of the grilled meat in the air, family and friends gather in taverns or homes to eat
large quantities of charred meat and celebrate, just ten days before the beginning of Lent.
The last Sunday of the Carnival period
is known as Cheesefare Sunday or Tyrofagos
as only dairy products can be consumed on
this day. Cheesefare Sunday is the final day of
pre-Lent, as the Monday following -known as
Clean or Ash Monday- marks the beginning of
Great Lent. During the weekend preceding
Clean Monday, carnival celebrations around
Greece culminate with vigorous parades, mas-
querade parties, reviving many traditional cus-
toms in different parts of the country, and
proving that carnival in Greece is closely re-
lated to the cultural heritage of each region.
Clean (or Ash) Monday is a public holiday
in Greece which marks the end of the carnival fes-
tive season and the start of Lent or the period of
fasting until Easter. If the weather permits it, peo-
ple spend Clean Monday outdoors, organizing pic-
nics while children fly kites. Since it marks the
beginning of the fasting period special food is
eaten on this day. Eating red meat, poultry, fish or
dairy products is not permitted. However, a host
of other dishes and delicacies is available: lagana
(a special unleavened bread eaten only on this
day), taramasalata (a fish roe spread), dolmadakia
(vine leaves stuffed with rice), grilled octopus,
gigantes plaki (oven-baked broad beans), seafood
salads and shellfish as well as a special semolina
pudding known as halvas are just some of them.
Apokries: The Greek Carnival
Page 35
36. Page 36
• Patras: The King of Greek Carnivals
The port city of Patras hosts the biggest
carnival in Greece, and one of the biggest in
Europe. The "king" of Greek carnivals begins in
January with an announcement by the town crier,
and reaches its peak in the last weekend of carni-
val. Patras carnival features a variety of events:
balls, parades, street theatre, and much more.
The carnival reaches its apogee on the last
weekend of Triodion: Saturday evening brings
the walking parade (with participants taking the
streets holding torches), while the phantasmagori-
cal floral, artistic, and satirical floats parade on
Sunday, with the Carnival King and Queen in all
their splendor.
But Patras carnival is mostly the thou-
sands carnival-goers of all ages, participating
spontaneously to the events taking place every-
where in the city -homes, bars, streets - turning
the whole city into a gigantic party.
• Xanthi: The Folk Carnival
The Thracian city of Xanthi hosts one of
the most popular carnivals in the country. Xanthi
carnival started in 1966 as an urban event but has
incorporated many traditional elements, based on
the city’s multicultural character that renders it
the most folklore of urban carnivals. The high-
light is the Folk Parade on Saturday before Ash
Monday: bringing together cultural associations
from all over Greece, the troupes go singing and
dancing through the neighborhoods of the pictur-
esque Old Town and merge in an all-night Balkan
folk music fiesta in the main square. Cheesefare
Sunday leads to the custom of Burning the tzaros,
a human effigy placed on top of a pile of brush-
wood.
• The "Old Men" of Skyros
The carnival in the Aegean island
of Skyros comes alive with the sounds of clanging goat
bells. These are worn around the waists of the island men
who take part in the carnival playing the role of geros
(old man), a figure dressed in a hooded black cape and
hanging goat skin. The "old men" run through the streets
individually or in groups, singing, dancing and making
as much noise as possible, while locals and guests must
always toast, drink and dance with the "old men".
37. Page 37
• “Flour War” in Galaxidi
In Fokida Prefecture, the town
of Galaxidi is one of Greece’s top desti-
nations especially during carnival season.
The picturesque small town impresses
visitors with its tranquil charm and its
rich maritime heritage, notably the old
captains’ mansions, the so-called
kapetanospita. During Carnival, the town
revives the unique custom of
"alevromoutzouromata" dating back to
the heyday of the town’s merchant fleet,
as a fun event for departing sailors at the
end of the Carnival. On Clean Monday,
Galaxidi is transformed into a battlefield
as hundreds of people pelt mercilessly
one another with large quantities of flour
and dance around the fires – the most dar-
ing even jump over them!
Did you know?
In Greece, people celebrate the “name day” of the saint that bears their
name rather than their own birthday.
There are over 4000 traditional dances that come from all regions of
Greece. There are also Pan-Hellenic dances, which have been adopted through-
out the Greek world.
Greeks do not wave with an open hand. It is considered an insult to show
the palm of the hand with the fingers extended.
Put together by students of the Music School of Agrinio:
Maro Tsompou
Yiannis Vatsikas
Konstantina Balomenou
Evalene Karapiperi
(source http://www.mfa.gr/uk/en/about-greece/history-and-culture/culture.html?page=8)
38. Page 38
Lithuanian COMENIUS working group members:
Violeta Šimelionien
Banga Sabaliauskien
Rasa Gailiuvien
Gitana Pociut
Zita Pranevičien
Jūrat Šukien
Sigita Žemaityt
Tel./fax. nr.: +37044158683
School email address: rastine@juknaiciai.silute.lm.lt
School website: www.juknaiciai.silute.lm.lt
Adrress:
Beržų g. 2,
Juknaičių k., Juknaičių sen.
LT-99332 Šilut s r.
Lithuania
