In this installment of our guide to holidays in Greece we look at Greece's culture...
Greece lies where the Middle East meets Europe, this location and its many occupations by foreign powers have given the country a colorful and diverse culture. Most Greeks have a strong passion for their culture and country.
Greek is the national official language and is the native tongue of the vast majority of the population, but English-speaking visitors encounter no significant language problem since English is the most widely studied and understood of foreign languages in Greece (followed by French, Italian, and German).
In fact, 1 million residents there (equivalent to 10% of the population) are foreign-born (mainly from Eastern and Central Europe, Middle East, South and Southeast Asia, and Africa); which has contributed to not only language diversity, but also to the Greek cultural landscape in general.
The vast majority - about 97% - of the population profess to be Orthodox Christians. The Greek Orthodox Church plays a prominent and influential role in Greek society and the separation of Church and State is not as clear-cut as in other European countries.
They can also be said to be of a superstitious nature and to have beliefs in supernatural or paranormal phenomenon. Traditions and superstitions vary from village to village and from region to region, but common ones include spitting to chase the devil and misfortune away and blessing bread by making the sign of the cross with a knife before slicing it.
Easter is the most celebrated holiday, and involves feasts and costumed parties, whereas Christmas tends to be a private, family holiday, though lights and decorations still adorn city squares across the country. In addition to Easter and Christmas, many towns and regions have their own regional festivals throughout the year commemorating various historical events, local patron saints, or wine harvests.
Greece lies where the Middle East meets Europe, this location and its many occupations by foreign powers have given the country a colorful and diverse culture. Most Greeks have a strong passion for their culture and country.
Greek is the national official language and is the native tongue of the vast majority of the population, but English-speaking visitors encounter no significant language problem since English is the most widely studied and understood of foreign languages in Greece (followed by French, Italian, and German).
In fact, 1 million residents there (equivalent to 10% of the population) are foreign-born (mainly from Eastern and Central Europe, Middle East, South and Southeast Asia, and Africa); which has contributed to not only language diversity, but also to the Greek cultural landscape in general.
The vast majority - about 97% - of the population profess to be Orthodox Christians. The Greek Orthodox Church plays a prominent and influential role in Greek society and the separation of Church and State is not as clear-cut as in other European countries.
They can also be said to be of a superstitious nature and to have beliefs in supernatural or paranormal phenomenon. Traditions and superstitions vary from village to village and from region to region, but common ones include spitting to chase the devil and misfortune away and blessing bread by making the sign of the cross with a knife before slicing it.
Easter is the most celebrated holiday, and involves feasts and costumed parties, whereas Christmas tends to be a private, family holiday, though lights and decorations still adorn city squares across the country. In addition to Easter and Christmas, many towns and regions have their own regional festivals throughout the year commemorating various historical events, local patron saints, or wine harvests.
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