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dubai_suzie

Active member
Where are the best panigiria and celebrations?? I want to celebrate the Greek way :)
 
We would recommend spending time in a small village and often those are some of the best panigria celebrations!

Here is more information to look at:
 
You need to go to a village. I go to the village (we are from a small village) for it and there are a couple thousand people who show up in the village to dance (they are from surrounding villages) and we go to each others' villages to celebrate... You may want to brush up on your Greek if you choose to go to a village (unless it's a touristy one) because many people in the villages don't speak English - you will find very few people in my village and the surrounding villages who speak English.

These are some videos taken from my wife's village and another village near by. As you can see, there are a lot of people. This is what you have to look forward to if you go to a village



 
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You need to go to a village. I go to the village (we are from a small village) for it and there are a couple thousand people who show up in the village to dance (they are from surrounding villages) and we go to each others' villages to celebrate... You may want to brush up on your Greek if you choose to go to a village (unless it's a touristy one) because many people in the villages don't speak English - you will find very few people in my village and the surrounding villages who speak English.

These are some videos taken from my wife's village and another village near by. As you can see, there are a lot of people. This is what you have to look forward to if you go to a village



This looks amazing! Everyone coming together for a wonderful celebration, that's exactly what I was looking for, thank you. I think I'll ask around and see if my Greek friends have any family from smaller villages. Does this type of party happen at most villages? Or is it the more traditional ones?
 
I totally agree, you'll want to spend time in a village! If you're staying in a hotel, you might want to ask there, where to go for the celebration.
 

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?

Greek Wedding Traditions Roundup

I am helping someone plan her Greek wedding. I wanted to make a list of all the traditions we need to keep in time for the big day. Did I miss anything?

The Stolisma

The wedding day begins with the ritual of 'Stolisma,' where the bride and groom are prepared separately by their families. It's a moment filled with emotion, songs, and blessings, setting the tone for the day. I had honestly never heard of this. Do people still do it?

The Krevati

An amusing tradition is the 'Krevati' (bed making), where family and friends gather to decorate the couple's future bed with baby items, symbolizing fertility and a happy family life. Money is also often thrown on the bed for good luck and prosperity.

The Crowning (Stefana)

One of the most iconic rituals during the ceremony is the exchange of crowns or 'Stefana.' I believe they need to buy the crowns they want in advance?

Koufeta

No Greek wedding would be complete without 'Koufeta'—sugar-coated almonds given to guests as wedding favors. These bittersweet treats represent the ups and downs of married life and are shared in odd numbers to symbolize indivisibility and shared life.

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?

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.

Greek Name Days Celebrations

I have been encouraging my family and friends to let me know when their name days are. I know for my immediate family, of course, but I want to start honoring name days in addition to birthdays like they do in Greece.

But aside from wishing someone Chronia Polla, or happy name day, what else can we do? How do people in Greece celebrate? Is it much like a birthday?
Share and discuss Greek traditions related to Greek weddings, christenings, dance & holidays!

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