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Christ- bread is one of the oldest Christmas customs in Greece. It is bread with decorative ornaments made of dough and the shape of the Cross. On Christmas Day, the father of the family cuts the bread and offers it to all family member at the festive table.
3rd GEL Argyroypolis.

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At Christmas, according to tradition, Greeks used to decorate a ship instead of a Christmas tree. Although this custom has faded, in recent decades, many Municipalities decorate both.
3rd GEL ARGYROYPOLIS

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3rd GEL Argyroupolis - Christmas traditions

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3rd GEL Argyroupolis - Christmas traditions

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NARDUGAN FEAST-Importance of December 21stTurks used to celebrate the return of the sun under the holy maple tree at the Nar-Dugan festivities. They would convey their wishes to God by tying tapes to the branches of maple trees. Akcam was the tree of life connecting the heavens and Mother Earth. This symbolism still exists in Anatolian rug designs today. The tree of life, reaching from the ground to the sky, was also present in Sumerian traditions.In the Turks, the sun was sacred but was not worshipped as God. The sun was just a symbol to remember God`s holiness. Interestingly, long before the emergence of Heavenly religions, Turks had a monotheistic belief system, but this is a topic that requires a separate story.On December 22, the day prevails from the endless fight of night and day, which is in constant conflict. Therefore, Nar-dugan was very important in Turkish history, symbolizing the day’s rebirth from the night.

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NARDUGAN FEAST-Importance of December 21stTurks used to celebrate the return of the sun under the holy maple tree at the Nar-Dugan festivities. They would convey their wishes to God by tying tapes to the branches of maple trees. Akcam was the tree of life connecting the heavens and Mother Earth. This symbolism still exists in Anatolian rug designs today. The tree of life, reaching from the ground to the sky, was also present in Sumerian traditions.In the Turks, the sun was sacred but was not worshipped as God. The sun was just a symbol to remember God`s holiness. Interestingly, long before the emergence of Heavenly religions, Turks had a monotheistic belief system, but this is a topic that requires a separate story.On December 22, the day prevails from the endless fight of night and day, which is in constant conflict. Therefore, Nar-dugan was very important in Turkish history, symbolizing the day’s rebirth from the night.

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The main Christmas meal also requires special preparation

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Greek christmas cookies/ kourabiedes with ouzo

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How to make the perfect kourabiethes with ouzo

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Rogatsaria’ – A folk Christmas custom with its roots in peasantry

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Ρουγκατσαρια (1)

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During the month of December Greeks are looking forward to buy, bake, eat or treat the typical Christmas sweets.
One of the typical Christmas cookies you can find in every bakery, patisserie or household, are the “melomakarona”.

What is a melomakarono ?

The melomakarono  is an egg-shaped Greek desert,  like a cookie.  Along with the “kourabies” it is a traditional dessert prepared primarily during the Christmas holiday season.

Typical ingredients of the melomakarono are flour or semolina, sugar, orange zest and fresh juice, cognac (or similar beverage), cinnamon and olive oil. During rolling they are often filled with ground walnuts. After baking they are immersed for a few seconds in hot syrup made of honey and sugar dissolved in water. Finally, they are decorated with ground, as well as bigger, pieces of walnut. Dark chocolate-covered melomakarona are also a more recent variation of the traditional recipe.

Melomakarona are not difficult to make and you can find many recipes on the internet as well as videos showing you how to prepare them.
It is also a nice activity to do together with kids.

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1st Primary School of Ymittos

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In our country, on New Year's Eve, turkey is cooked and lots of prayers are said.

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Also one of the most known greek customs is kids waking up early, knocking on random peoples doors and singing christmas songs. After that, the house owners reward the children with treats or money!

Hara & Katerina
3rd high school of Argyroupoli

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In greece there is a christmas custom from the ancient years that Greeks used to decorate a ship instead of a tree because they were deeply connected with the sea .

Katerina & Hara
3rd High school of Argyroupolis

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On the morning of the first day of the New Year, the family goes to church and the father of the family keeps a pomegranate in his pocket during the mass so that it will be blessed.

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Panettone a tipical Italian cake for Christmas 

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Greek customs by the 2nd Graders of Helioupolis

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Greek customs by the 2nd Graders of Helioupolis

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Aghios Vassilis is the Saint that brings gifts to children (He is the spirit of giving)

Christmas and New Year's desserts are : kourabiedes are cookies mde of almong and covered in icing
Trimming the Christmas tree 🎄
house decorations

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The new year is written on the cake. It is baked with a lucky coin. On New Year's Day we cut the cake in slices and each member of the family gets one slice. The one that gets the slice with the coin is going to be fortunate for the whole year. (by the 2nd Graders, 10th Helioupolis Primary Helioupolis)

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CHIOS (AN ISLAND OF THE NORTHEASTERN AEGEAN SEA)
11th primary school of vyronas

THE ISLAND IS CONSIDERED TO BE ONE OF THE MOST NAVIGATIONAL POWERS WORLDWIDE! MOST OF ITS POPULATION MAKE A LIVING BY BEING OCCUPIED AS SAILORS OR MARINE OFFICERS.

APPARENTLY, THIS IS THE REASON WHY THE CUSTOM OF <NEW YEAR’S MINIATURE SHIPBUILDING> HAS SURVIVED AND STILL EXISTS THROUGH YEARS.

THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE YEAR PEOPLE PREPARE THEIR SPECIAL MODEL SHIP. THEY WORK WITH VARIOUS MATERIALS (MAINLY WOOD) AND THEIR AIM IS THEIR REPRESANTATION TO DEPICT A REAL SHIP BUT OF COURSE IN SMALLER SIZE.

CARGO SHIPS, TANKERS, MERCHANT SHIPS OR EVEN FISHING BOATS CAN BE FOUND AT THE EXHIBITION! THEY MAY DATE BACK A CENTURY AGO UNTILL RECENT YEARS.

THERE IS A KIND OF EXHIBITION AND COMPETITION! THE WINNER IS USUALLY THE ONE WHO HAS MANAGED TO CREATE THE BEST AND CLOSEST CONTRUCTION AND ITS QUALITY TO THE AUTHENTIC VESSEL. THE CONSTRUCTORS OF EACH TEAM (<THE CREW> ) SING LOCAL CHRISTMAS CAROLS WHEN PRESENTING THEIR WORK TO THE PUBLIC!

THIS TRADITION IS STILL ALIVE AND LIVELY! CREATORS AND VISITORS ALWAYS ENJOY IT! NO MATTER WHO THE WINNER IS!

THE EVENT TAKES PLACE AT NEW YEAR’S EVE!