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Μy students wear their "Marti" bracelet.

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From the 1st to the 31st of March, children wear a bracelet made of twisted white and red thread on their wrist, called Marti or Martia. According to popular tradition, Martis protects children's faces from the first sun of Spring, so they don't burn.

Do you have a similar custom in your country?

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On March 25, when we celebrate the Annunciation of the Virgin and the celebration of the Revolution of 1821, it is customary to eat cod and garlic.
The cod, this tasty and nutritious fish entered our table and claims a top place in our national cuisine.
Do you have a traditional food in your country?

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Varchiglia alla monacale is a delicious typical dessert from Cosenza made with almonds and chocolate. Its origins date back to 1300 and was created by the Discalced Carmelite nuns, who had established a convent in Cosenza at that time. The term varchiglia derives from the Spanish barquilla or little boat, due to the characteristic oval appearance of the dessert, which is reminiscent of a small boat. It is said that it was the novices of the wealthy families of Cosenza who copied the recipe from the nuns and spread it in the good salons of the city, continuing it up to the present day.

The original recipe was composed of a soft filling of almonds and sugar, enclosed in a shortcrust pastry shell and covered with a sugar icing. With the spread of chocolate in the early 1800s, the recipe evolved with the addition of dark chocolate to the almond and sugar filling and also for the covering.

Would you like to taste this dessert? come to Cosenza we will be happy to share it with all of you

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Refers to the first day of Great Lent in Orthodox Christianity. It symbolizes the beginning of the 40-day fasting period before Easter. In Greece, on Clean Monday many people fly kites, gather in parks and open spaces The kite has various symbolic interpretations but usually it symbolizes freedom, renewal and rebirth. The kite rises into the sky with the wind holding it, showing man's ability to overcome obstacles and break free from limitations. Also on this day the Greeks do not eat meat but beans soup called "fasolada" and "lagana" which is a traditional long narrow bread and they all together dance and celebrate.

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Gaitanaki is a traditional Greek dance that we dance during the carnival. It is a colourful and funny dance! We need 13 people for this dance! One person is holding a wooden pole with 12 ribbons hanging from its top. The ribbons have different colours and every person is holding a ribbon. When the music begins, the dancers move towards the pole, go under the other dancer’s ribbon, move far from the pole and then towards the pole again! A colourful braid is created on the pole when the dance finishes.This dance is a symbol of the circle of life. We move from happiness to sadness, from winter to spring, from life to death and the opposite!

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The traditional carnival songs, sung in local dialects, follow the traditional dances and instruments of each region.
What makes them special is their theme. People sing them acting roles.
The more opposite the role one plays, the funnier the disguise and therefore the more laughter and fun it causes.
So we often see old people masquerading as babies, men as women, etc
A favorite Halloween theme is the wedding.
The bride is always male and the groom female. One of these songs: The crab is getting married

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Kids songs - παιδικά τραγούδια

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Παντρεύουνε τον κάβουρα

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Kids songs - παιδικά τραγούδια

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Kids songs - παιδικά τραγούδια

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Παντρεύουνε τον κάβουρα

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The Kaziukas Fair takes place in Vilnius. Kaziukas Fair in Vilnius is the opening of spring and the largest fair of handmade products creators from all over the country, attracting lots of visitors.This fair has a special spirit. Tradition and authenticity are extremely important here.The Fair is the oldest event of its kind in Vilnius.

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This monument is in the temporary capital Of Lithuania-Kaunas (Kaunas was the capital during the interwar period).In September 2023 the modernist buildings in Kaunas, that were built while Kaunas was the temporary capital of Lithuania, were recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

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This is our cold beetroot soup of pink colour! It is served with hot potatoes. We usually eat it in summer or spring, when it's already hot.

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Gliders used to be made in our town and gliding competition is still organized in Pociunai. Gliderers from many countries come to compete here.

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In the Lithuanian language, the letter "ė" is unique. It is the only one with a dot, and if you rub it, you get a completely different letter. Unfortunately, in the world of technology, the dot is increasingly disappearing, so in order to make it meaningful, the sculpture "Dot" was unveiled in Kaunas' Student Square.

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Students attend a club of national dances and enjoy dancing at school or during various celebrations.

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A worldwide typical dessert, rice pudding, is considered in Northern Spain a local and very traditional one. Traditionally, grandmothers prepare it during long hours of work, using milk stright from the cows. The old recipe says you have to stir it continously for hours so milk does not produce milk skin. A bit of cinnamon or sugar, and it is ready. Enjoy it!!!

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The wonderful landscape of Lake Messolonghi and the "pelades".

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The wonderful landscape of Lake Messolonghi and the "pelades".

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The traditional fishermen's huts of Messolonghi, the "pelades", are not only a part of the history and a monument of the traditional activities of the people of Messolonghi but also the characteristic element of the landscape of the lagoon. The shallow lagoon of Messolonghi and Aitoliko, where they are located, stretches for 50 kilometers across from the Gulf of Patras. Its 22,000 hectares of water hide the richest fish-producing seabed in the country, while it has been designated as an Environmental Park and is protected by the RAMSAR treaty. There, we will also encounter the picturesque hut-houses, the "pelades".

What are the "pelades"?

They are wooden houses of traditional folk architecture of the Greek countryside in the area of Messolonghi. They are the first type of residence that developed in the 16th century when sailors and fishermen first settled in the area.

Construction of the "pelades":

The "pelades" were built on vertical stakes deeply embedded in the soft organic mud to distribute the weight. The stakes were made of alder trees and the supports from tamarisk. The frame of the masonry was made of thick reed and tied with bundles of straw. The walls and roof were covered with woven straw, thin reeds, seaweed, and rushes. After drying in the sun and proper processing, the straw was used as rope for these constructions, while woven rushes were used as carpets or mattresses. Initially, in their first form, they were single-roomed, while later, the more modern ones became wooden with separate rooms.

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Tarantella (Italian pronunciation: [taranˈtɛlla]) is a group of various southern Italian folk dances originating in the regions of Calabria, Campania and Puglia. It is characterized by a fast upbeat tempo, usually in ⁶
₈ time , accompanied by tambourines.[2] It is among the most recognized forms of traditional southern Italian music. The specific dance-name varies with every region, for instance Sonu a ballu in Calabria, tammurriata in Campania, and pizzica in Salento. Tarantella is popular in Southern Italy, Greece, Malta, and Argentina. The term may appear as tarantello in a linguistically masculine construction.

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During the music lesson we enjoy playing together.

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Classi 3A e 5A via Milelli lezione di musica

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The Lithuanian Song Festival is a massive traditional song and dance festival. The first song festival was held in 1924. Since then, the song festival became a tradition in Lithuania. From 1950 on, the National Dance Day was added to the Song Festival.

The festival is considered to be the unique manifestation of the national culture and the symbol of unity and strength.

The Celebration includes more than 40 000 participants – both amateur and professional ensembles, artists, also cultural and educational institutions.

Consisting of 4 main parts the Celebration usually is held for 7 days. The four main parts are the Folklore Day, which is dedicated to the traditional culture, the Ensembles’ Evening, which is dedicated to folk dance, song and instrumental groups, the Dance Day, presenting massive choreographic compositions, and the Song Day.The distinctive feature of the celebration is singing a cappella. For this the Song Day usually gathers more than 20 000 singers to perform both arranged folk and modern songs of Lithuanian composers, some modern songs being the staple of Lithuanian mass culture.

The centennial 21st Lithuanian Song Festival will take place from 29 June to 6 July 2024.

The Baltic song festivals (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) are traditional amateur song and dance festivals in the Baltic States included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

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Easter eggs are dyed red to represent the blood of Christ, whose resurrection is celebrated on Saturday. The hard eggs shell symbolizes the sealed Tomb of Jesus Chris, from which he emerged following his crucifixion.

These are our own red eggs that we dyed in our classroom and decorated our recyclable Easte baskets.

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The Easter tradition of magiritsa is deeply rooted in Greek culture and cuisine. Magiritsa is a traditional Greek Easter soup made from lamb offal, greens, and herbs. It holds a special significance as it is typically consumed after the midnight Easter service, marking the end of the Lenten fast.

The preparation of magiritsa often begins on Holy Saturday, with families coming together to clean and chop the ingredients. Lamb offal, such as liver, lungs, and intestines, are commonly used, along with onions, rice, and a variety of aromatic herbs like dill and parsley.

Magiritsa is more than just a dish it symbolizes the transition from the solemnity of Lent to the joyous celebration of Easter. Its consumption after the midnight service signifies the end of the fasting period and the beginning of the Easter feast. Families gather around the table to enjoy this hearty soup together, reinforcing bonds of kinship and tradition.

Beyond its culinary significance, magiritsa embodies the cultural heritage and spiritual essence of Greek Easter. It reflects the idea of renewal and rebirth, mirroring the resurrection of Christ celebrated during this time. Thus, magiritsa serves not only as a nourishing meal but also as a symbol of hope, unity, and the enduring traditions that define Greek Easter celebrations.

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The statue of Alexander the Great, of the Greek Macedon, on the waterfront of Thessaloniki is an impressive structure that catches the eye of both visitors and residents of the city.

It depicts Alexander the Great riding a horse, showcasing the splendor and grandeur of the leader.

The statue is made of bronze and is located on a central pedestrian promenade near the sea, making it easily accessible for those who wish to admire it.

Its location allows visitors to enjoy the view of the sea alongside this impressive historical monument.

Construction was completed in 1974, and it has since become a landmark of the city, offering a characteristic point of reference.

Although decades have passed since its erection, it remains one of the city's most popular attractions.

Visitors often take photos next to it, preserving a memory of their visit to Thessaloniki.

The statue is surrounded by a sidewalk, allowing visitors to walk around and examine it up close.

Overall, it creates an atmosphere of respect and admiration for this historical leader.

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Lagana, the bread of the pour

Lagana is a flat bread with a thin crumb and a spicy crust. It’s sprinkled with sesame seeds

§People in Greece eat it every “Clean Monday”, which marks the beginning of the Great Lent

Lagana is unleavened bread , that is, it’s prepared without leaven, only with flour and water

It’s said, that unleavened bread was used by the Israelites on the night of the Exit from Egypt under the guidance of Moses

In our days we eat lagana at the countryside enery “Clean Monday” with other delicious dishes such as: taramas, olive oils, octapus, vegetables  and halvas. Lagana is very tasty and everyone likes it!

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According to a traditional about the color red in eggs  the Virgin Mary took a basket of eggs and offered them to her Son's guards, begging them to treat him well! When her tears fell on the eggs, they turned red!

According to another version. Maria Magdalene went to Tiberius  Caiafa's and announced to him that Jesus had risen. Beside him there was a man holding  a basket of eggs. Caesar asked surprised the Magdalene to prove it to him, what she was saying by painting the white eggs in the basket red, something that happened.

The red eggs are dyed on Maundy Thursday, which considered the day of Last Supper, when Jesus offered bread and wine as symbol for his body and blood, ready to be sacrificed to set the world free.