This document discusses several cultural traditions from different parts of the world: - Straw Bear Day is an old English tradition where a man dressed in straw costumes dances from house to house in exchange for money or beer. - Carnival in Greece lasts two weeks before Lent and involves costumes, parades, and throwing confetti. In Ireland, Women's Christmas on January 6th is when women get the day off and men do housework. - The Bed Setting Ceremony in Greece involves decorating the marital bed and placing money or a baby on it to bless fertility.

1. KEEPING TRADITIONS &KEEPING TRADITIONS &
CUSTOMS ALIVE!CUSTOMS ALIVE!
by Cathy Vezou - Zack Vezos - Angela Vezou

2. Straw BearStraw Bear
Straw Bear (Strawboer) Day is an old English tradition held onStraw Bear (Strawboer) Day is an old English tradition held on
the 7th of January. It is known in a small area of Fenland.the 7th of January. It is known in a small area of Fenland.
This day is believed to be the traditional start of the agriculturalThis day is believed to be the traditional start of the agricultural
year in England. A man or a boy wears a straw costume coveringyear in England. A man or a boy wears a straw costume covering
him from head to toe. He goes from house to house where hehim from head to toe. He goes from house to house where he
dances. As prize for his dancing, people give him money or beer.dances. As prize for his dancing, people give him money or beer.

3. CarnivalCarnival
The Carnival in Greece is called "Apokries". The festival lastsThe Carnival in Greece is called "Apokries". The festival lasts
for two weeks and ends on the first day of Lent, on Clean Mondayfor two weeks and ends on the first day of Lent, on Clean Monday
(Kathari Deutera).(Kathari Deutera).
Everyone is costumed and parties take place in the streets andEveryone is costumed and parties take place in the streets and
bars, where the people throw coloured confetti to each other. Thebars, where the people throw coloured confetti to each other. The
most famous Carnival Parade takes place in the city of Patra.most famous Carnival Parade takes place in the city of Patra.
The Carnival is believed to come from the old festivities for theThe Carnival is believed to come from the old festivities for the
worshipping of Dionysus, the god of wine andworshipping of Dionysus, the god of wine and feast.feast.

4. Women’s ChristmasWomen’s Christmas
/ Nollaig na mBean/ Nollaig na mBean
January 6 is the Feast of the Epiphany and is traditionally whenJanuary 6 is the Feast of the Epiphany and is traditionally when
the Irish finish celebrating Christmas. It is also known as Nollaigh nathe Irish finish celebrating Christmas. It is also known as Nollaigh na
mBean in Irish (Women’s Christmas).mBean in Irish (Women’s Christmas).
Tradition has it that women get the day off and the men of theTradition has it that women get the day off and the men of the
house get to do the housework, cook and take down the Christmashouse get to do the housework, cook and take down the Christmas
decorations. Women meet up, have a day out and treat themselves.decorations. Women meet up, have a day out and treat themselves.

5. Bed Setting CeremonyBed Setting Ceremony
The Bed Setting Ceremony or “The Krevatia” is a Greek weddingThe Bed Setting Ceremony or “The Krevatia” is a Greek wedding
tradition which blesses the marital bed and the couples fertility.tradition which blesses the marital bed and the couples fertility.
The marital bed is decorated for the wedding and money is thrown onThe marital bed is decorated for the wedding and money is thrown on
it by the relatives of the new couple as a gift for their new beginning andit by the relatives of the new couple as a gift for their new beginning and
common life.common life.
The bed setting ceremony takes place a couple of days before theThe bed setting ceremony takes place a couple of days before the
wedding and sometimes it includes a tradition known as the “flipping of thewedding and sometimes it includes a tradition known as the “flipping of the
baby”. A baby is placed on the wedding bed as a symbol of fertility andbaby”. A baby is placed on the wedding bed as a symbol of fertility and
blessing, a girl if the couple wants their first baby to be a girl, or a baby boyblessing, a girl if the couple wants their first baby to be a girl, or a baby boy
if they wish their first child to be a boy.if they wish their first child to be a boy.

6. Horse races onHorse races on
St. Stephen’s DaySt. Stephen’s Day
Saint Stephen is the patron saint of horses, andSaint Stephen is the patron saint of horses, and
horse races on St. Stephen’s Day have become ahorse races on St. Stephen’s Day have become a
tradition in Ireland. The races in Leopardstown intradition in Ireland. The races in Leopardstown in
south Dublin, attract almost 20,000 people every year.south Dublin, attract almost 20,000 people every year.
In Ireland, going to the races is a chance to getIn Ireland, going to the races is a chance to get
out of the house, stretch your legs and have a drinkout of the house, stretch your legs and have a drink
with friends.with friends.

7. Guy FawkesGuy Fawkes
Four hundred years ago, in 1605, a man called Guy Fawkes and a groupFour hundred years ago, in 1605, a man called Guy Fawkes and a group
of people attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London withof people attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London with
barrels of gunpowder placed in the basement. They wanted to kill King Jamesbarrels of gunpowder placed in the basement. They wanted to kill King James
and the king’s leaders.and the king’s leaders.
Guy Fawkes was given the job to keep watch over the barrels ofGuy Fawkes was given the job to keep watch over the barrels of
gunpowder and to light the fuse. On the morning of 5th November, soldiersgunpowder and to light the fuse. On the morning of 5th November, soldiers
discovered Guy hidden in the cellar and arrested him. He was taken to thediscovered Guy hidden in the cellar and arrested him. He was taken to the
Tower of London. He was tortured and questioned about his friends. To startTower of London. He was tortured and questioned about his friends. To start
with, he didn't tell the soldiers anything about the plot. But, eventually hewith, he didn't tell the soldiers anything about the plot. But, eventually he
started to tell the truth.started to tell the truth.
In celebration of his survival, King James ordered that the people ofIn celebration of his survival, King James ordered that the people of
England should have a great bonfire on the night on 5England should have a great bonfire on the night on 5thth
November.November.

8. Christmas Day SwimChristmas Day Swim
Christmas day swims take place all over Ireland on ChristmasChristmas day swims take place all over Ireland on Christmas
morning, but probably most famously at the Forty Foot Rock, justmorning, but probably most famously at the Forty Foot Rock, just
south of Dublin. On Christmas Day hundreds of people can be seensouth of Dublin. On Christmas Day hundreds of people can be seen
jumping off the rock into the Irish Sea wearing only their swimmingjumping off the rock into the Irish Sea wearing only their swimming
costumes.costumes.
The water in the Irish Sea on Christmas Day is usually aroundThe water in the Irish Sea on Christmas Day is usually around
1010oo
C. Unfortunately, the temperature outside the water is usually farC. Unfortunately, the temperature outside the water is usually far
below that. This is certainly not for the weak.below that. This is certainly not for the weak.

9. Pamplona Running of the BullsPamplona Running of the Bulls
The San Fermin Festival is held every year from July 6–14. TheThe San Fermin Festival is held every year from July 6–14. The
first bull running is on July 7 at 8 am in the morning and is followed byfirst bull running is on July 7 at 8 am in the morning and is followed by
one on each of the following mornings of the festival.one on each of the following mornings of the festival.
The festival started in the 16th century and is also known for itsThe festival started in the 16th century and is also known for its
all-night street parties.all-night street parties.
Each morning, six fighting bulls head from stables to the ringEach morning, six fighting bulls head from stables to the ring
where matadors (bullfighters) will star in late afternoon bullfights.where matadors (bullfighters) will star in late afternoon bullfights.
The fiesta attracts tens of thousands of young people eager toThe fiesta attracts tens of thousands of young people eager to
mix alcohol with the adrenaline of running alongside the massivemix alcohol with the adrenaline of running alongside the massive
bulls. Dozens of people are injured each year.bulls. Dozens of people are injured each year.

10. HalloweenHalloween
Halloween is celebrated on the evening of October 31st, which is theHalloween is celebrated on the evening of October 31st, which is the
evening before the Christian feast of All Saint’s Day.evening before the Christian feast of All Saint’s Day. Halloween is a festivalHalloween is a festival
of fun for kids. An occasion to dress up as little monsters, ghosts or witches.of fun for kids. An occasion to dress up as little monsters, ghosts or witches.
They goThey go from house to housefrom house to house knocking on doors and shoutingknocking on doors and shouting “trick or“trick or
treat”. People then give the children apples or buns and later candy to keeptreat”. People then give the children apples or buns and later candy to keep
from being tricked.from being tricked.
HalloweenHalloween isis celebratedcelebrated by millions of people in multiple countries. Itby millions of people in multiple countries. It
is a fun time for kids but it is also known as a time of witches, goblins, andis a fun time for kids but it is also known as a time of witches, goblins, and
ghosts.ghosts.

11. GlossaryGlossary
agricultural =agricultural = αγροτικόαγροτικό
attempt =attempt = απόπειρααπόπειρα
basement =basement = υπόγειουπόγειο
bless =bless = ευλογώευλογώ
bonfirebonfire = υπαίθρια φωτιά= υπαίθρια φωτιά
cellarcellar = κελάρι= κελάρι
ceremony =ceremony = τελετήτελετή
eager =eager = ανυπόμονοςανυπόμονος
Epiphany =Epiphany = ΘεοφάνιαΘεοφάνια
fertility =fertility = γονιμότηταγονιμότητα
festivity =festivity = εορτασμόςεορτασμός
fiesta =fiesta = γιορτήγιορτή
fusefuse = φιτίλι= φιτίλι
goblin =goblin = καλικάντζαροςκαλικάντζαρος
gunpowder =gunpowder = πυρίτιδαπυρίτιδα
lent =lent = νηστείανηστεία
marital bed =marital bed = νυφικό κρεβάτινυφικό κρεβάτι
massivemassive = ογκώδης= ογκώδης
matador =matador = ταυρομάχοςταυρομάχος
parliament =parliament = βουλήβουλή
patron saint =patron saint = προστάτης, πολιούχοςπροστάτης, πολιούχος
plotplot = πλοκή= πλοκή
strawstraw = άχυρο= άχυρο
torture =torture = βασανίζωβασανίζω
treason =treason = προδοσίαπροδοσία
worship =worship = λατρείαλατρεία