1. Greek Culture
By: Kelly Carroll

2. Greek Culture
Greece is a country of great interests and diverse cultures, influenced by its location, at the junction between the East and the West and by the many occupations of the Greek people throughout history. In general, the Greeks are particularly proud of their culture and speak of their country with an intense passion, feeling that the culture in Greece is a definition of their national and ethnic belonging. Traditions, religion, music, language, food and wines are the major composites of the culture in Greece and constitute the base for those who wish to visit and understand today's country. Source:

3. Why Greek culture?
Greece is one of the most beautiful places on the planet. Greece is one of the top 3 places I want to visit on my bucketlist. Greek culture has always intrigued me, so I want to learn more.

4. Surface culture Music:
Music in Greece is of unbelievable diversity due to the creative Greek assimilation of different influences of the Eastern and Western cultures of Asia and Europe. Music is an important aspect of the daily Greek culture. It has a long history dating from the Antiquity, during which poetry, dancing and music were inseparable and played an important part in the ancient Greek's everyday life. The Greek tragedy used music as one of its component elements Source:

5. Surface culture Dance:
Greece is one of the few countries in the world where folk dances are as alive today as they were in ancient times. Dance has always played an important role in the life of a Greek. It is an expression of human feelings and everyday life. The Greeks danced at religious festivals, ceremonies; they danced to ensure fertility; to prepare for war and to celebrate victories; they danced at weddings; to overcome depression and to cure physical illness. Almost every dance has a story to tell.

6. Surface culture Food/Wine:
Greek food and wine is an important aspect of the culture of Greece. The Greek food and wines are famous for their good quality and amazing taste. Some dishes are common all around the country, whereas some others are local culinary specialties and can be found only in a specific region or Greek island. While you holiday, do not miss the chance to try the local Greek dishes in the many restaurants of Greece and the Greek islands. There are such traditional taverns in almost every corner of the country. Source:

7. Surface culture Clothing:
Ancient Greeks wore simple garments that draped over their bodies. The chiton and peplos were both simple outfits made from one-piece rectangles of fabric, with holes cut out for the head. The peplos was sleeveless, while the chifton covered part of the arms. Over this, people could wear a cloak called a himation. These outfits were usually made of wool.

8. Surface culture Festivals:
There are many sorts of festivals in Greece that take place mostly in summer. Festivals have a religious base and they are in accordance with the Orthodox calendar. The Orthodox calendar is similar to the Catholic calendar, except for Easter sometimes. Those Greek festivities are part of the Greek culture. Source:

9. Surface Culture Language:
Since language constitutes one of the most important elements of Greek culture and its best transmitter, it is interesting to see how the Greeks speak today, how the Ancient Greek language became the modern one known today. Source:

10. Deep culture
Greek family values are so strong that elements of tradition and culture transcend many generations. A young Greek man with a family in the States may still honor and respect the wishes of a great-great Greek grandparent whom he has never met. Of course, this is a generalization, and some of these traditions are changing and becoming diluted as families become more "Americanized." However, core values remain the same generation after generation.

11. Deep culture Religion:
The religion of Greek people is an important aspect of the Greek culture. The Greek population in mainland Greece and the Greek islands is Christian Orthodox per 98%. The religion of rest of the population is Muslims, Catholic and Jewish. Greece and Russia are the only countries to have such a great proportion of Orthodox population. The Orthodox Church forms the third largest branch of Christianity, after the Roman Catholics and the Protestants. Source:

12. Deep culture Traditions/Customs:
Customs and traditions in Greece and the Greek Islands one important aspect of the Greek culture. There are either of a religious character or coming from paganism. Furthermore, most of the traditions and festivals still celebrated today are religious. The Greeks are very superstitious and believe a lot in religion but also in supernatural or paranormal phenomenon. Traditions and superstitions vary from island to island, from villages to villages and from region to region. Source:

13. Deep culture Superstitions:
Greek superstitions are coming either from religion or paganism. They vary from region to region. Source:
The Evil Eye (Mati) Some Greeks, especially in villages, believe that someone can catch the evil eye, or matiasma, from someone else's jealous compliment or envy. A person who has caught the evil eye usually feels bad physically and psychologically. To avoid the matiasma, those who believe in it wear a charm, a little blue bead with an eye painted on it. Blue is believed to be the color that wards off the evil eye, but it is also believed that people with blue eyes are most possible givers of the matiasma. Source:
Spiting It is believed that spitting chases the devil and the misfortune away. That is why when someone talks bad news (deaths, accidents, etc), the others slightly spit three times saying ftou, ftou, ftou. Source:

14. Deep culture Superstitions Continued:
Hobgoblins : According to the folk Christmas traditions, the hobgoblins are short, ugly creatures with many deformities. All year round, they live underground and saw the tree of the year. From Christmas until the Epiphany Day (January 6th), they come up to the world and tease people with many pranks. On the Epiphany Day, the priest of the village goes from house to house and sprinkles the rooms with blessed water so that the hobgoblins return underground. Source:
Tuesday the 13th Unlike the western belief, in Greece the unlucky day is Tuesday the 13th and not Friday the 13th. Source:

15. Deep culture
Holidays:

16. Greek art

17. 3000 B.C. the first major civilization in the region begins on the island of Crete.
Greek history
776 B.C. the first Olympic Games are held at Olympia.
338 B.C. King Philip II of Macedonia conquers Greece after wars between city-states weaken the country.
546 B.C. the Persian Empire, a large and powerful Asian kingdom, conquers much of Greece.
1500 B.C. the Mycenaean (My-suh-nee-un) culture develops on the Greek mainland. It’s people are the first known Greek speakers.
1453 Invaders from Asia known as the Ottoman Turks conquer the Byzantine Empire and take control of Greece.
During the Balkan Wars, Greece gains power over Turkish-controlled land, including Crete and southern Macedonia.
145 B.C. Romans invade and conquer the Greek Empire.
480 B.C. Greek cities defeat Persians at sea.
2010 Greece faces a major debt crisis. To avoid bankruptcy, the Greek government gets $61 billion from the European Union.
Greeks, tired of living under Turkish rule, defeat the Ottoman Turks in the Greek War of Independence.

18. Children’s literature
Mila The Camel: An exciting desert adventure for children 6 +. A story that shows the power that lies in the acceptance of ourselves, as they are. The power that is hidden in the help of a friend, the time you just need it.

19. Children’s literature
D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths: All the great gods and goddesses of ancient Greece are depicted in this big, beautiful classic, lovingly illustrated and skillfully told. Young readers will be dazzled by mighty Zeus, lord of the universe; stirred by elegant Athena, goddess of wisdom; intimidated by powerful Hera, queen of Olympus; and chilled by moody Poseidon, ruler of the sea.

20. Children’s Literature
The Librarian Who Measured the Earth: A colorfully illustrated biography of the Greek philosopher and scientist Eratosthenes, who compiled the first geography book and accurately measured the globe's circumference.

21. Teaching Greek culture
Get the students up and involved!
Let the children dress up and act out different scenes from history.
If your school allows, bring in traditional Greek foods fro everyone to try.
Create the Olympics for your own class, integrating physical activities along with academic activities.
Most importantly, allow the students to have fun while soaking up knowledge. They will be more likely to retain information when they are intrigued and involved.

22. Greece

23. resources