Magazyn kulturalny “Kikimora” – Wydanie poświęcone Grecji (lato 2012)

Kwartalny magazyn kulturalny “Kikimora” (wydanie lato 2012, numer 11, s. 200, http://www.kiki-mora.pl), który kierowany jest do rodziców i trendsetterów, specjalizujący się w sztuce, stylu życia, edukacji, projektowaniu itd. opublikował pod tytułem “Hellada” wydanie poświęcone Grecji.
Przed wydaniem publikacji, wydawca Jacek Rekuc oraz redaktor naczelna Agnieszka Marszałek współpracowali z Biurem Prasowym i Komunikacji oraz z Biurem ds. Handlowych i Ekonomicznych Ambasady Grecji w Warszawie.

Magazyn zawiera obszerne artykuły poświęcone modzie dla dzieci i trendom w Grecji (np. fotograficzny reportaż mody inspirowany starożytnymi igrzyskami olimpijskimi, starożytną grecką filozofią oraz mitologią  – patrz «Olympic Games», «Philosophy», “Καλημέρα”, «Σ», «Τhere is no place for Gods»), greckiej modzie oraz wpływami starożytnej Grecji, greckim kreatorom mody (np. Maria Katrantzou), greckim projektantom mody i kreatorom nowoczesnych form sztuki w Grecji  (kino, fotografia), młodym artystom greckim itp.

Równocześnie publikowane są rozmowy poświęcone mieszanym grecko – polskim rodzinom (wywiady zostały przeprowadzone z rodzinami Gmochów, Vasileiadis’ów i Vafidisów) i opisują życie rodzinne w Polsce (święta, zwyczaje, itp.) oraz podkreślają  znaczenie rodziny w Grecji i Polsce.
W słowie wstępnym redaktor naczelna magazynu Agnieszka Marszałek twierdzi, że “rodzina ma się dobrze, greckie kino i dizajn, literatura rozwija się – być może kryzys pozytywnie wpłynie na kulturę i sztukę Grecji. Być może wierność rodzinie, tradycji, ideałom uratuje Greków”.

W sekcji pt “Ateny” prezentowane są atrakcje idealne dla wizyt rodzinnych, propozycje wycieczek, festiwali, wystaw, rozrywki i zakupów w greckiej stolicy (Greckie Muzeum Dziecięce, Muzeum Benakisa, Muzeum Dotyku, Park Uwrażliwienia Środowiskowego im.  Antonis’a Tritsisa, Technopolis, Galeria Rzeźby, dzielnica Monastiraki, kina letnie, sklep muzyczne, galerie, sklepy mody, itp.).
W obszernych artykułach poświęconych greckiej sztuce prezentowane jest greckie kino, zwłaszcza twórczość reżyserki Athiny Rachel Tsangari, muzyka, w rozmowie z grecko-polskim muzykiem i wydawcą Costas’em Georgakopoulos’em, założycielem festiwalu “Art Avant”, fotografia poprzez wywiad z fotografem Christiną Dimitriadis (rozmowa zatytułowana “Wierzę w duchy pamięci”), literatura (publikacja poświęcona pisarzowi Christosowi Tsiolkas zatytułowana “Straszne dziecko starej Grecji”), komiksy i artykuł o  Apostolos’ie Doxiadis’ie.
Publikowane są również reportaże społeczne,  m.in. artykuł dziennikarza o greckich korzeniach Dionisios’a Stouris’a (zatytułowany „Młodzi grecy pakują walizki”) jak też artykuły poświecone greckiej rodzinie oraz skutkom kryzysu gospodarczego.
Pojawiają się także artykuły o słynnych Grekach, takich jak Maria Callas, Arystoteles Onassis i Telis Savalas.

Aφιέρωμα στην ελληνική οινοποιία και γαστρoνομία (δημοσίευμα με τη συνεργασία του Γραφείου Τύπου)

Το διμηνιαίο περιοδικό οινολογίας «Czas Wina» (τεύχος Φεβρουαρίου – Μαρτίου), υπό τον τίτλο «Ελλάδα – Η παράδοση της ποικιλίας», δημοσιεύει αφιέρωμα 23 σελίδων (έγχρωμο εξώφυλλο και 22 σελίδες κειμένου) στην ελληνική οινολογία και γαστρονομία, με εκτενείς αναφορές στον ελληνικό πολιτισμό, το οποίο επιμελήθηκαν οι Wojciech Gogolinski και Anna Miodonska.
Εισαγωγικά, με τίτλο «Ζωή αλά ελληνικά», τονίζεται ότι η Ελλάδα είναι «ένα πανάρχαιο κράτος, η κοιτίδα του ευρωπαϊκού πνεύματος και της δημοκρατίας, αν και στην σημερινή εποχή διατηρεί περισσότερο βυζαντινά χαρακτηριστικά. Γεμάτη από χρώματα, γεύσεις και ομορφιές, αν και βυθισμένη στην κρίση. Η Ελληνική Δημοκρατία θεωρείται κληρονόμος της αρχαίας Ελλάδας. Μερικές χιλιάδες χρόνια ιστορίας και μια ιδιαίτερα πλούσια πολιτιστική κληρονομιά. Λίκνο του δυτικού πολιτισμού, γενέτειρα της δημοκρατίας, της φιλοσοφίας, των Ολυμπιακών Αγώνων. Βασίλειο για την γαστρονομία και το φαγοπότι. Πατρίδα των ελάχιστα εκτιμημένων ή ελάχιστα γνωστών ελληνικών κρασιών. Ήρθε η ώρα να το αλλάξουμε!».

Dwumiesięczny magazyn „Czas Wina” (nr 1 / luty-marzec 2012) publikuje pod tytułem „GRECJA – Tradycja różnorodności” 23-stronnicową serie artykułów na temat greckiej enologii i gastronomii, umieszczając również obszerne informacje na temat greckiej kultury. Materiał został opracowany przez Wojciecha Gogolińskiego i Anna Midońską.

„Republika Grecja jest uważana za spadkobierczynie starożytnej Grecji. To kilka tysięcy lat historii i przebogate dziedzictwo kulturowe. Kolebka całej cywilizacji zachodniej, miejsce narodzin demokracji, filozofii, igrzysk olimpijskich. To również królestwo dobrej kuchni i biesiadowania. Ojczyzna niedocenionych lub słabo znanych greckich win. Trzeba ten stan zmienić:
Więcej: http://czaswina.pl/archiwum/55/czas-wina-nr-55

Christmas in Greece

Traditionally, the Christmas holiday period in Greece lasts 12 days, until January 6, which marks the celebration of the Feast of the Holy Theophany (Epiphany).
There are many customs associated with the Christmas holidays, some of which are relatively recent, “imported” from other parts of the world (like eating turkey on Christmas day and decorating the Christmas tree).
The modern Christmas tree entered Greece in the luggage of the country’s first king, Otto of Greece, who ascended to the throne in 1833 – yet, the tree did not become popular until the 1940s.
In the past, Greeks decorated small Christmas boats in honour of St. Nicholas. Today, they are increasingly choosing to decorate boats, instead of trees, reviving this age-old Christmas tradition. Undoubtedly, celebrating Christmas and New Year’s Eve in Greece is a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Xmas: A Word of Greek Origin
Where did “Xmas” come from? Some transliterations of Greek spell Christos as “Xristos.” The “X” stood in for the first letter of the word Christ (ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ).
“Xmas” has been used for hundreds of years in religious writing, where the X represents the Greek letter X (chi). While in modern times Xmas is regarded as a kind of slang, it was originally considered to be a perfectly respectful.
Christmas (“Χριστούγεννα”), the Feast of the Nativity of Jesus is one of the most joyful days of the Greek Orthodox Church.
Christmas Elves
Greece’s hobgoblins are called “kallikántzari,” friendly but troublesome little creatures which look like elves. Kallikantzari live deep down inside the earth and come to surface only during the 12-day period from Christmas until Epiphany. While on the earth’s surface, they love to hide in houses, slipping down chimneys and frightening people in various ways.
Throughout Greece, there are customs and numerous rituals performed to keep these hobgoblins away. In Epirus, residents place twelve spindles in front of the fireplace to prevent the kalikantzari from climbing down the chimney.
On Christmas Eve, in the town of Grevena, people place a large log in the corner of the house and set it alight. As the fire burns, lasting until the Feast of the Epiphany, it protects the family from the naughty kalikantzari. On the island of Cephalonia, women burn incense at the front door of their houses making the sign of the cross in order to repel these undesirable “guests.”
The “kallikántzari” disappear on the day of Epiphany when all the waters are blessed, and they return to the earth’s core.
Sweets & Treats
Traditional culinary delights symbolise good luck in the New Year and adorn the white-clothed tables. “Melomakarona” (honey cookies) and “kourabiedes” (sugar cookies with almonds) are the most characteristic. In the past, melomakarona were made exclusively for Christmas, while kourabiedes were prepared for the New Year.
Today, this distinction is not observed anymore and both melomakarona and kourabiedes are prepared and consumed throughout the festive season.
Another traditional custom that dates back to the Byzantine times is the slicing of the Vassilopita (St.Basil’s pie or New Year Cake). The person who finds the hidden coin in his/her slice of the cake, is considered to be lucky for the rest of the year.
At the meal table there is also a special decorated round loaf called “Vasilopsomo” or St. Basil’s bread -which is really identical in form to the “Christopsomo” or “Christ bread” eaten on Christmas Day – and the “Photitsa” or “Lights’ bread” that is eaten on Epiphany.
“Kalanda” or Carols
The singing of Christmas carols (or kalanda, in Greek) is a custom which is preserved in its entirety to this day. On Christmas and New Year Eve, children go from house to house in groups of two or more singing the carols, accompanied usually by the sounds of the musical instrument “triangle,” but also guitars, accordions, lyres and harmonicas.
Until some time ago, carollers were rewarded with pastries but nowadays they are usually given money. Listen to some sound extracts with Greek Christmas carols (Kalanda) from Ikaria Island. Things to Do, Places to Go…. 
A Christmas spirit is taking over the squares and streets of the country’s major cities, as local authorities organise a variety of events and festivities, culminating with New Year’s Eve countdown parties in central squares.
Festivities in Athens revolve around Syntagma Square and its Christmas tree, with daily concerts throughout the season, while the National Garden turns into storybook Magical Forest for children.
Thessaloniki runs the country’s biggest Christmas village: the Helexpo pavilions are hosting Christmas Magic City, featuring shows, workshops and a big Christmas market.
The north-western city of Kastoria celebrates with “ragoutsaria,” the local carnival that starts on New Year’s Day, with every neighbourhood forming a carnival group, complete with brass band. In Agios Nikolaos, Crete, the New Year will come from the sea, with the New Year’s Eve party at the port, and Santa arriving on a boat.
…And Holiday Performances
Venues and clubs participate in the Christmas spirit with special holiday performances.
The National Opera’s Christmas rich programme includes the Snow Queen ballet and Hansel and Gretel opera for children.
The Athens Concert Hall hosts the Bolshoi Theatre Academy on December 22-29, in a much-awaited performance of the Nutcracker, and the London Community Gospel Choir on December 27-28.
The recently inaugurated Onassis Cultural Centre presents Jean-Baptiste Thiérrée and Victoria Chaplin in their phantasmagoric yet poetic Invisible Circus, on December 28-30 and January 1-2.
At the Michael Cacoyannis Foundation, on December 27 & 28, the Sounds of Christmas Go Baroque: a festive concert featuring Baroque Concertos.
(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)

Hellenic Christmas

  Sweets & Treats (GREEK NEWS AGENDA)

In the past, the honey cookies (melomakarona) were made exclusively for Christmas, while sugar cookies with almonds, or kourabiedes, were prepared for the New Year.

Today, though, this distinction is not observed anymore and both melomakarona and kourabiedes are prepared and consumed throughout the festive season. Another traditional custom that dates back to the Byzantine times is the slicing of the Vassilopita (Basil’s cake or New Year Cake). The person who finds the hidden coin in his/her slice of the cake, is considered to be lucky for the rest of the year.

“Kalanda” or Carols

The singing of Christmas carols (or kalanda, in Greek) is a custom which is preserved in its entirety to this day.

On Christmas and New Year Eve, children go from house to house in groups of two or more singing the carols, accompanied usually by the sounds of a musical instrument the “triangle,” but also of guitars, accordions, lyres or harmonicas. Until some time ago they were rewarded with pastries but nowadays they are usually given money. Listen to some sound extracts with Greek Christmas carols (Kalanda)  from different parts of Greece. Thrace & Epirus & Ikaria Island

Christmas in Greece

 (Greek News Agenda) Xmas: A Word Of Greek Origin

Where did “Xmas” come from? Some transliterations of Greek spell Christos as Xristos.
The “X” stood in for the first letter of the word Christ (ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ). “Xmas” has been used for hundreds of years in religious writing, where the X represents the Greek letter X (chi).

While in modern times Xmas is regarded as a kind of slang, it was originally considered to be a perfectly respectful abbreviation, especially as it included a form of the cross in the shape of the “X”.

Christmas (“Χριστούγεννα”), the Feast of the Nativity of Jesus is one of the most joyful days of the Greek Orthodox Church.

Christmas Elves

Kallikantzari are little creatures that live deep down inside the earth and together with the legends of Greece, play an important part in the customs and traditions of this holiday.
From Christmas until the Feast of the Epiphany, residents in Epirus place twelve spindles in front of the fireplace so that the kalikantzari see them and do not climb down the chimney.
On Christmas Eve, in the town of Grevena, the followers place a large log in the corner of the house and set it alight.
As the fire burns, lasting until the Feast of the Epiphany, it protects the family from the kalikantzari.

Culture and Customs of Greece in a Book

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)   Artemis Leontis, Culture and Customs of Greece, Greenwood Press April, 2009. The Parthenon, Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle, and Homer’s epic poems. All of these images bring to mind traditional pictures of Greece, the cradle of Western Civilisation. But what do we know of modern Greece? The answer to that question and more can be found in this comprehensive look at contemporary Greek culture. This reference source is packed with illustrative descriptions of daily life in Greece in the 21st century. Ideal for high school students and even undergraduates interested in studying abroad, this extensive volume examines topics such as social customs, language, performing arts, modern art and architecture, among many other topics. Woven into the text are beautiful and accurate vignettes of Greek life, helping to illustrate how people live. “Culture and Customs of Greece” is a must-have volume for all high school and public library shelves. Artemis Leontis is Associate Professor of Modern Greek and Coordinator of the Modern Greek Program, at the University of Michigan, USA.