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nadellii

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There won't be any parades :( so I'm looking for fun ways to keep the Greek spirit alive, any tips?

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Hopefully 2022 there will be Greek parades like normal!

For this year I plan on wearing blue and white on Greek Independence Day March 25th!

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There won't be any parades :( so I'm looking for fun ways to keep the Greek spirit alive, any tips?

View attachment 110
Last year we ALMOST went to march in the Greek Independence Day Parade in Tarpon Springs. That got canceled of course....no big celebration this year either. There's a church service on this morning, Feast of the Annunciation, that is a consideration. Ill wear blue and white and nothing much beyond that.
 
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Hopefully 2022 there will be Greek parades like normal!

For this year I plan on wearing blue and white on Greek Independence Day March 25th!

View attachment 112
Hopefully 2022 there will be Greek parades like normal!

For this year I plan on wearing blue and white on Greek Independence Day March 25th!

View attachment 112
I remember one year attending the Greek Independence Day Parade in Boston. Such a beautiful way to celebrate our heritage. I also remember that when I was in Jr. High, I had a Greek friend who would buy me a blue and white carnation that she and I would proudly wear that day. I also remember that on that day, the kids of the church would do a Greek Independence Day program at coffee hour. Oh my oh my...Lord willing, all will be back to "normal" some day soon.
 
Things are so depressing these days I need to spend March 25th playing Greek music in my house, dancing and celebrating what it truly means to be Greek: to have kefi and make it through difficult times with spirit and grace. Happy Independance Day everyone!!! Xronia polla!!
 
I am going to get back to the roots of history, and do a little studying as to why we celebrate in the first place. For the longest time, I thought March 25th signified the END of the struggle with the Ottoman Empire, but instead, it is considered to be the beginning of the war that led to independence, but it is also the day that marks the beginning of the independent Greek state. I was shocked when I learned that because my perception was a lot different than the reality.
 
If you live in Boston, the city is lighting up buildings and bridges blue to commemorate the day!
 
I am going to get back to the roots of history, and do a little studying as to why we celebrate in the first place. For the longest time, I thought March 25th signified the END of the struggle with the Ottoman Empire, but instead, it is considered to be the beginning of the war that led to independence, but it is also the day that marks the beginning of the independent Greek state. I was shocked when I learned that because my perception was a lot different than the reality.
Wow I had no idea either. That sort of changes the way I view the whole holiday. Looks like I have to brush up on my history too lol, thanks!
 
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Greek Naming Traditions?

I have noticed that in Greece, there are some traditions associated with naming their children. Although some Greek families in the United States have done this, many have seemed to lose the traditions.

Does anyone know what some of these traditions are? I am helping a friend name his upcoming child... Here's some of what I have learned:

1. Firstborn daughter names after maternal grandmother
2. Firstborn son named after paternal grandfather
3. Firstborn son named after father

Those are the ones I have figured out. I don't know what is traditional from Greece and what has just been made up amongst Greeks in the US.

List of Cretan Dances?

I will be attending a Cretan wedding and am curious about the traditional Cretan dances! I know the dances are slightly different and I want to learn some. I don't know the names of the dances so that I can look them up. I did some research, though. Are any of these dances common at these weddings?
  • Pentozali
  • Sousta
  • Siganos
  • Chaniotis
There's a dance the wedding party typically does in Crete. Which dance is that?

Thinking about the Greek way of hospitality...

I thought I would ask your thoughts oh Philoxenia - or the Greek way, or art, of hospitality. I noticed this when I travel in Greece. People are so kind, they often go out of the way for us, when I feel that they don't have to! How can one describe this to someone?

From what I understand, Philoxenia is not merely a practice but a deeply ingrained value within Greek culture that extends far beyond the simple act of hosting. It reflects a genuine, heartfelt welcome to strangers, treating them with the same respect and generosity one would show to a dearly beloved friend. This beautiful tradition, passed down through generations, turns the act of hosting into an art form, embodying warmth, respect, and a profound sense of human compassion. There have been so many stories I can think of...

This thought process was triggered because we were watching My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 - someone in the village had taken on a Syrian refugee. Is this a Greek hospitality thing? Philoxenia?

Learning about hospitality in Greece

I was trying to explain to some non-Greek friends about hospitality in Greece. I feel like it's next level, but how do you explain it?

Could anyone help me explain any of the following:
  • Traditional welcome gestures in Greece
  • Common household customs when visiting a Greek home
  • Etiquette for showing appreciation to Greek hosts
  • Any specific do's and don'ts that a foreigner should be aware of

Where did plate smashing come from?

When Greeks feel happy and are dancing and have a good time, they've been known to smash plates. I've seen it! It's not just a tourist thing - but they don't do it much because I am sure they won't want to smash their expensive dish wear.

I was just at a wedding and they had purchased plates to smash - so basically they were cheap throwaway plates that actually smashed really well. I almost wonder if they were made for the purpose...

It got me thinking - where did this tradition come from? Does anyone know?
Share and discuss Greek traditions related to Greek weddings, christenings, dance & holidays!

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