General information
On this page you will find information about the greek language to holiday information and celebrations in Greece.
Greek Language
The greek language is as they say, typical greek ! Its not the easiest language to learn, but few phrases is helpful to know and facilitate your stay in Greece. Here is a few of the most common phrases and the local people gets very excited when you appeals to them in their language. Try to say, Kalimera in the morning which means good morning and maybe Tí kani´s which means how are you?
The greek language you can learn in many ways today, online or in a course. Its not so easy, but have you learned you have come a far way. Good luck!
Here is some phrases to practise before your holiday!
Good morning – Kalimera
Good Evening – Kalispera
Good night – Kali nichta
Goodbye – Adioa
How are you? – Ti kanis?
Im feeling fine and you? – Kala esi?
Im feeling fine – Kala ine
Im feeling very fine – Poly kala
Whats your name? – Pos selene?
My name is… – Me lene…..
Im from Sweden – Ime apo ti Zoidhia
I want to pay – Leroso me parakalo
Yes – Ne
No- Ochi
OK – Endaxi
Thank you – Efharisto
Today – Simera
Tomorrow – Avrio
Night – Nichta
Passport – Diavatirio
One – Ena
Two – Dhio
Three – Tria
Four – Tessera
Five – Pente
Excuse me – Signomi
Water – Nero
Beer – Bira
Greek traditions
Christmas in Athens
To be in Athens at christmas is a special experience. They decorate a lots and large christmas trees is set up on the big squares. People come out and hang out much more. They even put up special areas with ice so you can go ice skating.
Holidays such as Easter, Lent and Carnival
Fly a dragon
The monad after the big karneval its called, Clean Monday or Ash Day. This day its the first day of the lent and the traditions say that this day is the day to fly dragons. You will see lots of families with dragons.
Epitaph procession in Plaka
Come out and enjoy the parade of people that walks with candles in their hands from the churches and through Plaka. Its an amazing light experience before Good Friday.
Enjoy a great traditional greek easter dinner
If you get invited to a dinner at easter time, you have to go. After the midnight mass they eat the traditional soup, Mageritsa and you can also test your luck by egg tapping. Each person should meet the red egg that is hard-boiled and seeing which of the eggs that are strongest.
Try some of the delicious greek sweets
The Lamb
Almost all greeks grills lamb this time at easter and it is attached to a skewer, which may spin for long time. The meat is so tender after that and then its time to eat and we say Kali Orexi ! That means, enjoy your dinner.
Dance
When all have been eating its time for the traditional greek dance, very often danced i a circle and to some typical Zorba music. Maybe you have learned from before or just want to learn. So let start and enjoy. This is a dance that is very common in greek weddings.
Greek Holidays
New Years Day
- 1 January
Epiphany
- 6 January
This is the day when the sea will be blessed by the priests, who throws in a cross. The young men are to appear in and the one who finds it will be blessed. A very popular celebration where brave Greek men throw themselves into the water all around Greece.
National Day
- 25 March
A wonderful celebration of the national day with parades of various kinds throughout Greece. If you have the opportunity to be there, so stay and have fun. Learn more about celebrations, under the independence day.
Ash Monday (clean monday)
- 41 days before easter.
This is the day when the lent starts and they will eat a dinner without meat. The tradition is that go out and fly with dragons and celebrate Koulouma.
Self Independence Day and celebrations of Evaggelismos
- 25 March.
Easter
- From Good Friday to Easter Monday. On Good Friday they decorate the churches with Epitaph. It is a sacred symbol of Christ. It is a religious practice in which each person holding a lit candle and singing hymns. People are walking the streets and its the night of the resurrection. This is celebrate midnight before Easter Sunday with Fireworks and lighting candles.
- On the easter day most of the greeks eat barbecued lamb and celebrating with songs and dance the whole day.
First of May ” Labor Day”
- 1 May
Flower festival all over Greece where they decorating wreaths and hang on their doors. The tradition is to welcome the spring time and as a symbol to hang this wreath over the front door to the home until next spring.
Pentecost
- Pentecost is celebrating 50 days after easter.
Holy Virgin Mary’s name day
- 15 August
This is something that is celebrated widely in the whole of Greece. At some of the Islands, it is somewhat chaotic, especially Tinos considered to have healing powers. People make pilgrimages and creeps up to the cross to be healed. I personally have been on such a celebration, on the island of Aegina. It is a memory i will never forget, if you have the opportunity to visit one of the churches in Greece this day so don’t hesitate.
28 October
- National celebrating of the ”oxi” ( no) day, that celebrates with military parades.
Christmas
- 25-26 December