Tell me how it was in your time, Grandfather

Comenius Project 2012-2014

2nd Theme Booklet

Social life,

customs and

ethnic

traditions

България / Βουλγαρία / Bulgária / Bulgaria

/ Bulgaristan / Bulgaria / Bulgária / Bulgarien

Сурвакане

В българския народен календар Нова годинае известна като Сурваки или Васильовден. В ранните зори на31 декември момчетата от селото отивали в гората да отсекатнапъпили дрянови пръчки за сурвакници. Дрянът, който още встудените декемврийски дни разпуква своите пъпки, билсимвол на идващата пролет, свързана с надеждите заблагополучие и плодородие. Тъй като зрее най-късно спореднарода, е символ и на мъдрост.Върху сурвачката, която води своето начало от славянскатапрародина, можем да поставим всичко, което ражда земята икоето превръщаме в гиздава премяна – пуканки, чушки, боб,царевица, кравайчета, вълна, вълнени конци.

Сурвакарите отиват във всеки дом, като шибат здраво със сурвакницата наред млади и стари, изричайкиблагословия „ Сурва, сурва весела година, живот, здраве до година, до година до амина...”Вярвало се, че живителната сила на дряна ще даде живот и здраве на сурваканите.Стопанката дарявала сурвакарите с всичко, което имали в дома си: орехи, сушени плодове, кравайчета,пари.

Старчевата” – така в Разлог наричат кукерския карнавал. Отвсички махали прииждат кукери, маскирани младежи, оркестри стъпани и зурни. Разложките кукери са уникални. Тук се наричат

България / Βουλγαρία / Bulgária / Bulgaria

/ Bulgaristan / Bulgaria / Bulgária / Bulgarien

„чауши” или „старци”, костюмите им са изработени от козякожа, а конусовидната, достигаща 2 м шапка, завършва сконска опашка. Най-важната част, обаче, са звънците, коитопохлопват при всяко движение. Често тяхното тегло достига40-50 кг, а „чаушите” танцуват през целия ден на новатагодина.

Вие се дълго и пъстро хоро, което „чаушите” пазят.Моми и ергени, облечен в народни носии играят без умора.Всеки пожелава и нарича „За много години! Здрава иплодородна година! ”Според езическите вярвания, колкото повече шум вдига,колкото по-страшен е един кукер, толкова повече демони илоши духове ще изгони и уплаши.

Баба Марта е митичен персонаж в българския фолклор. Внародните вярвания, представени в пословици и приказки, името есвързано с името на месец "март". Януари и февруари сапредставени като братя с лют характер - Голям Сечко и МалъкСечко. Баба Марта се смята за тяхна сестра, която ту е усмихната идобронамерена, ту непредвидимо зла.С Баба Марта и месец март се свързват много обичаи и празници,посветени на идващата пролет. Най-известният обичай, свързан сБаба Марта, е закичването на хора и млади животнис Мартеница (усукани бяла и червена нишка) на 1 март - деня напристигането на Баба Марта. Мартеница е усукани бяла и червенанишка. През целия месец се извършват обреди за гонене на змии и

гущери, както и гадания, свързани с някои прелетни птици.На 1-ви март българите слагат мартеници на дрехите или китките си и си пожелават здраве и щастие сдумите „Честита Баба Марта“.

България / Βουλγαρία / Bulgária / Bulgaria

/ Bulgaristan / Bulgaria / Bulgária / Bulgarien

Survakane

In Bulgarian folk calendar New Year is known as Survaki orVasilyovden. In the early morning of December 31 boys from the villagewent to the forest to cut down a cornel. The cornel was a symbol of thecoming spring associated with hopes for prosperity and fertility. Sinceripens later as people, is a symbol of wisdom. On survachka can putanything - popcorn, peppers, beans, corn, buns, wool, woolen yarn.The sourvakars went into every home and called for health.Believed that the lifeblood of the cornel will give life and health of Survaki.The hostess donated sourvakars with nuts, dried fruit, bagels, money.

„Starchevata"- so called in Razlog mummerscarnival. From all quarters mummers disguised whityoung bands drums and zurni. Razlog mummers areunique. This is called "Chaush" or "old", their suits aremade of goat skin and the hat hight reaching 2 m hat, endswith a ponytail. The most important part, however, are thebells that knocked every movement. Often their weightreaches 40-50 kg, The "Chaush" dancing throughout theday of the new year.

България / Βουλγαρία / Bulgária / Bulgaria

/ Bulgaristan / Bulgaria / Bulgária / Bulgarien

There are long and colorful dance . Young men and women dressed in costumes play without fatigue. Everyonewishes and called "for many years! Healthy and fruitful year! 'According to pagan beliefs, the more noise more demons and evil spirits away will escape.

Baba Marta is a mythical character in Bulgarian folklore. In folk beliefsrepresented in proverbs and tales, her name is connected with the name of the month"March". January and February are like brothers with hot nature - Big and Smallhorned beetle long-horned beetle. Baba Marta is considered their sister who issmiling and sometimes benevolent, sometimes unpredictably evil.In Baba Marta and March connect many customs and festivals dedicated to thecoming spring. The most famous custom associated with Baba Marta is zakichvanetopeople and young animals Martenitsa (twisted white and red thread) on March 1 - theday of the arrival of Baba Marta. Throughout the month to perform rituals to banishsnakes and lizards, and predictions related to some migratory birds.On 1 March Bulgarians put martenitzas clothes or wrists and wish health andhappiness with the words "Happy Grandma Marta".

 

   

Deutschland/ Германия/ Γερμανία/ Germania/ Almanya/ Alemanha/ Németország  

   

 

Die Kinder erzählen:

Weihnachten heute

“Wir feiern Weihnachten, weil da Jesus geboren ist. Wir haben immer einen Tannenbaum, der sehr schön geschmückt ist. Die meisten von uns gehen an diesem Tag in die Kirche. Wir müssen uns schön anziehen; manche ziehen elegante Sachen an, andere haben Sachen, die glitzern. Die Geschenke, die für uns das wichtigste sind, gibt es leider erst nach der Kirche und nach dem Essen. In vielen Familien gibt es Kartoffelsalat und Würstchen. Manchmal essen wir aber auch besondere Sachen. Wenn alle aufgegessen haben und im Wohnzimmer sitzen, müssen wir Gedichte aufsagen, etwas vorsingen und erst dann dürfen wir Kinder die Geschenke öffnen. An dem

Tag dürfen wir ganz lange aufbleiben.”

Weihnachten früher

“Meine Großeltern haben erzählt, dass sie am Weihnachtsmorgen immer schön gefrühstückt haben, als sie Kinder waren. Sie durften nicht ins Wohnzimmer, weil da der Tannenbaum stand, den sie erst abends sehen durften. Am Nachmittag sind sie in die Kirche gegangen. Dann war es sehr langweilig, bis es endlich Abend war. Abends gab es erst etwas zu essen, danach mussten sie Gedichte aufsagen und etwas auf Instrumenten vorspielen oder vorsingen. Bei unseren Großeltern gab es nur ganz wenige Geschenke, gar keine Playstation oder Computersachen. Bei den Mädchen war manchmal vor Weihnachten die Lieblingspuppe plötzlich verschwunden und lag dann Heiligabend mit neuen Kleidern unter dem Weihnachtsbaum.”

 

   

Deutschland/ Германия/ Γερμανία/ Germania/ Almanya/ Alemanha/ Németország  

   

Zuckerfest heute

“Wir gehen zu meinen Großeltern. Wir umarmen sie, dann geben sie uns Geld. Wenn die Jungs aus der Moschee kommen, nehmen wir Kinder Tüten, gehen zu allen Verwandten und sammeln Bonbons. Nach dem Sammeln isst die ganze Familie ein Schaf.”

Zuckerfest früher

“Bei unseren Großeltern wurden neue Kleider und Schuhe gekauft und an diesem Tag zum ersten Mal getragen. Vor dem Fest wurden die Wohnungen gründlich

geputzt. Morgens früh begann das Fest mit einem Gebet. Danach wurde zu Hause gut gefrühstückt. Jüngere Menschen haben die Älteren besucht, ihnen die Hände geküsst und ihnen ein frohes Fest gewünscht. Die Kinder wurden mit Geld oder Süßigkeiten beschenkt. Außerdem haben sich zerstrittene Menschen wieder vertragen.”

Iranisches Neujahrfest – Nouruz – heute

“Wenn der Winder sich verabschiedet und am 21. März der Frühling kommt, feiern wir Iraner unser Nouruz-Fest. Wir tanzen und lachen zusammen und wir Kinder bekommen viele Geschenke. Am wichtigsten ist die Zubereitung des “Haft Sin” (“Sieben S”), das heißt, es müssen sieben Sachen, die mit dem persischen Buchstaben für S beginnen, auf dem Tisch stehen.”

Iranisches Neujahrsfest – Nouruz – früher

“Früher haben meine Großeltern schon genau so gefeiert, sie waren nur anders angezogen.”

 

   

Deutschland/ Германия/ Γερμανία/ Germania/ Almanya/ Alemanha/ Németország  

   

Children tell:

Christmas today

“We celebrate Christmas because Jesus was born then. We always have a Christmas tree, which is beautifully decorated. On this day, most of us go to church. We are to dress up, some wear elegant clothes, others put on glitter. The presents are most important to us and we are sorry that they are given only after church and dinner. In many families we have potato salad and sausages. But sometimes we also have special meals. When we are finished we gather in the living room where we are asked to say poems or to sing and only after

this procedure we are allowed to open our presents. On this occasion we are allowed to stay up long.”

Christmas before

“My grandparents told me that they had a nice Christmas breakfast when they were children. They weren’t allowed to go into the living room because there was the Christmas tree, which could only be seen in the evening. In the afternoon they went to church. Then, it was very boring before Christmas Eve came. In the evening they first had dinner, then they said poems, played instruments or sang. Our grandparents were only given quite a few presents, no play station or computer stuff. Sometimes, a girl’s favourite doll suddenly disappeared and was found later on Christmas Eve under the Christmas tree.”

 

   

Deutschland/ Германия/ Γερμανία/ Germania/ Almanya/ Alemanha/ Németország  

   

Bayram today

“We go and visit my grandparents. We hug them and get money from them, then. When the boys have come back from mosque, us children take bags and go to our relatives to collect sweets. After collecting the whole family eats a sheep.”

Bayram before

“For our grandparents were bought clothes and shoes, which they wore on this occasion for the first time. Before the feast, the houses were thoroughly cleaned. Early in the morning, the feast started with a prayer. Then they had a good

breakfast at home. Younger people went to visit the older ones, kissed their hands and wished them a happy season. The children were given money or sweets. Moreover, people who were cross with each other before lived in harmony ever after.”

Iranian New Year’s Festival – Nouruz - today

“When winter says goodbye and spring comes on March 21, Iranians celebrate our New Year’s Festival. We dance and laugh together and us children get many presents. The preparation of “Haft Sin” (“Seven S”) is most important for us. This means that seven ingredients beginning with the Persian letter S must be on the table.”

Iranian New Year’s Festival – Nouruz - before

“Before, my grandparents celebrated the same way as we do, but they were dressed differently.”

Ελλάδα / Greece / Grecia / Yunanistan

Görögország / Griechenland / Grécia / Гърция

Την Παραμονή των Χριστουγέννων, της Πρωτοχρονιάς και των

Φώτων τα παιδιά πηγαίνουν από σπίτι σε σπίτι με τρίγωνα και άλλα

όργανα, λένε τα κάλαντα και τα κερνούν γλυκό ή χρήματα.

Την Πρωτοχρονιά κόβουμε την βασιλόπιτα που μέσα της η

νοικοκυρά είχε βάλει ένα φλουρί. Σε όποιου το κομμάτι βρίσκεται το

φλουρί είναι τυχερός για εκείνον το χρόνο και συνήθως δέχεται ένα

μικρό δώρο.

Των Θεοφανείων, 6 Ιανουαρίου, στον αγιασμό των υδάτων, ο παπάς

πετάει ένα σταυρό στην θάλασσα και κολυμβητές προσπαθούν να

τον πιάσουν. Όποιος τον πιάσει είναι τυχερός για αυτόν το χρόνο.

Ακολουθεί φαγοπότι και γλέντι.

Τις Απόκριες, «αποχή από κρέας» ή Καρναβάλι, μεταμφιεζόμαστε. Οι εορτασμοί έχουν

διάφορα ονόματα όπως Φανός, Μπουμπούνες, Γέροι, Κουδουνοφόροι Τράγοι, Μπούλες,

Μπαμπόγερος, Μπουρανί, και καταλήγουν στο χορό γύρω από το «Γαϊτανάκι». Αρχαίο

ελληνικό έθιμο για τον αποχαιρετισμό του Χειμώνα με μεγάλα κουδούνια για «ξυπνήσει» και

να είναι γόνιμη η Γη με τον ερχομό της Άνοιξης. Την Τσικνοπέμπτη ψήνουμε κρέας για να

μυρίσει «τσίκνα» και την Καθαρά Δευτέρα, που τελειώνουν οι Απόκριες, πετάμε χαρταετό.

Το Πάσχα συγκεντρώνεται όλη η οικογένεια, τσουγκρίζουμε

κόκκινα αυγά και ψήνουμε αρνί. Η νονά ή ο νονός μας έχει δώσει

την λαμπάδα που το βράδυ της Ανάστασης την ανάβουμε με το Άγιο

Φως που έρχεται από την Ιερουσαλήμ.

Την Πρωτομαγιά γλεντάμε με τραγούδια και χορούς στην εξοχή και

φτιάχνουμε στεφάνια με λουλούδια, τους Μάηδες, που κρεμάμε

στην εξώπορτα.

Ελλάδα / Greece / Grecia / Yunanistan

Görögország / Griechenland / Grécia / Гърция

Τον Ιούνιο έχουμε τον «Κλήδονα», μια αρχαιοελληνική λαϊκή

μαντική διαδικασία με την οποία αποκαλύπτεται στις άγαμες

κοπέλες το όνομα του μελλοντικού τους συζύγου. Την παραμονή

των γενεθλίων του Αη-Γιαννιού στις 24 Ιουνίου, οι ανύπαντρες

κοπέλες μαζεύονται σε ένα σπίτι και αναθέτουν σε μία κοπέλα της

οποίας ζουν και οι δύο γονείς να φέρει από το πηγάδι ή την πηγή το

«αμίλητο νερό» τηρώντας απόλυτη σιωπή.

Επιστρέφοντας στο σπίτι όπου τελείται ο κλήδονας, το νερό

αδειάζεται σε πήλινο δοχείο, όπου κάθε κοπέλα ρίχνει ένα

προσωπικό αντικείμενο, συχνά πολύτιμο, το ριζικάρι.

Μετά το δοχείο σκεπάζεται με κόκκινο ύφασμα, «κλειδώνεται» και

τοποθετείται σε ανοιχτό χώρο κάτω από τα άστρα όπου παραμένει

όλη τη νύχτα. Αυτή την νύχτα οι κοπέλες θα δουν στα όνειρα τους το

μελλοντικό τους σύζυγο.«Κλειδώνουμε τον κλήδονα με τ' Αγιαννιού

τη χάρη, κι όποια 'χει καλό ριζικό να δώσει να τον πάρει».

Την παραμονή της γιορτής των γενεθλίων του Αγίου Ιωάννη, εκτός

από την τέλεση του κλήδονα, ανάβουμε φωτιές στις γειτονιές , τις

«μπουμπούνες», πάνω από τις οποίες πηδάνε όλοι 3 φορές όπου

καίμε τα στεφάνια της Πρωτομαγιάς .Μια μεγάλη φωτιά στήνεται σε

μέρος ανοιχτό για να φαίνεται από παντού. Ανήμερα του Αϊ-

Γιαννιού, πριν βγει ο ήλιος -για να μην εξουδετερωθεί η μαγική

επιρροή των άστρων-, η υδροφόρος νεαρή της προηγουμένης φέρνει

μέσα στο σπίτι το αγγείο. Το απόγευμα, μαζεύονται πάλι οι

ανύπαντρες κοπέλες. Τώρα μπορούν να συμμετέχουν και άντρες και

παντρεμένες γυναίκες. Ανοίγεται ο κλήδονας από πρωτότοκο παιδί

που λέει: «Ανοίγουμε τον κλήδονα με τ' Αγιαννιού την χάρη και όποια

έχει καλό ριζικό σήμερα ναν το πάρει» και βγάζει ένα-ένα από το

αγγείο τα αντικείμενα, που αντιστοιχούν στο «ριζικό» κάθε κοπέλας,

απαγγέλλοντας ταυτόχρονα δίστιχα. Το δίστιχο που αντιστοιχεί στο

αντικείμενο της κάθε κοπέλας θεωρείται ότι προμηνύει το μέλλον της

και σχολιάζεται από τους υπόλοιπους με αστεία και πειράγματα.

Προς το σούρουπο, όταν τελειώσει η μαντική διαδικασία, η κάθε

κοπέλα γεμίζει το στόμα της με μια γουλιά αμίλητο νερό και στέκεται

μπροστά σε ανοιχτό παράθυρο ή περπατά στον δρόμο μέχρι να

ακούσει ένα ανδρικό όνομα που πιστεύεται ότι θα είναι το όνομα του

άνδρα που θα παντρευτεί. Μετά στήνεται μεγάλο γλέντι στο οποίο

συμμετέχουν όλοι.

Το φθινόπωρο κρεμούμε στην εξώπορτα του σπιτιού ένα ρόδι. Την ώρα που

αλλάζει ο χρόνος, σπάζουμε το ρόδι στην είσοδο και μπαίνουμε στο σπίτι με

το δεξί.

Τα Χριστούγεννα στολίζουμε καράβια (λόγω της ενασχόλησης των Ελλήνων

με τη θάλασσα αλλά και εκκλησιαστική αναφορά - η Εκκλησία συχνά

συμβολίζεται με πλοίο) και δέντρα (το στόλισμα του δέντρου είναι αρχαίο

ελληνικό έθιμο και λεγόταν «Ειρισιώνη»)

Ελλάδα / Greece / Grecia / Yunanistan

Görögország / Griechenland / Grécia / Гърция

On Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and Epiphany Eve children go

from house to house with triangles and other musical instruments,

sing carols and people give them sweet or money.

On New Year’s Day we cut a special cake (vassilopita) in which the

landlady had put a coin. The person in whose piece is the coin is

considered to be lucky for the new year and usually receives a small

gift.

On Epiphany, January 6, during the sanctification of the waters, the

priest throws a cross into the sea and swimmers dive to catch it.

Whoever finds it is considered blessed for the year. Feast follows.

At “Apokries” ("abstaining from meat") or Carnival, we masquerade. There are several names for

the celebrations such as Fanos, Boubounes, Geros, Rams with Bells, Boules, Bampogeros,

Bourani, and end up dancing around the "Maypole" which is an ancient greek custom to farewell

the Winter and welcome Spring with large bells in order to "wake up" the earth and to be fruitful.

On Tsiknopepmti we cook meat to sniff 'smell of burning food "and on Shrove Monday, ending of

“Apokries”, we fly kites.

At Easter the whole family gathers and we clink red eggs and eat roast

lamb. Our godmother or godfather has given us an ornamented candle

which we light the night of the Resurrection with the Holy Light that

comes from Jerusalem.

On May Day we celebrate with songs and dance in the countryside

and make wreaths with flowers, the so called “Maides”, which we

hang at the front door.

Ελλάδα / Greece / Grecia / Yunanistan

Görögország / Griechenland / Grécia / Гърция

In June we have the custom "Klidonas"which is an ancient folk

foretelling process by which the name of their future husband is

revealed to unmarried girls. On the eve of the birthday of St. John

on June 24, the unmarried girls gather in a house and outsource to a

girl whose both parents are alive to carry the "silent water" from a

well or a spring in complete silence.

Returning to the house where Klidonas is held, the “silent water” is

poured into a clay pot, in which, each girl puts a personal object,

often valuable, the so called “rizikari”. Then the clay pot is covered

with a red cloth, (“klidoni”=is"locked") and is placed at an open

space beneath the stars where it remains overnight. This night the

girls are supposed to see their future husband in their dreams. They

sing: "We lock the Klidonas with Agiannis (Saint John’s) Grace, and

whoever’s good fate to be revealed."

On the eve of the celebration of the birthday of St. John, in addition

to the custom of Klidonas, we lit fires in the neighbourhoods, the so

called "boubounes", above which all of us jump 3 times and in which

we burn the wreaths of flowers of May Day. A big fire is lit at open

space so as to be seen from everywhere. On the day of St. John,

before the sunrise-so that the magical influence of the stars is not

neutralized-the young girl who had brought the water, brings the,

covered with the red cloth, clay pot into the house. In the afternoon,

the unmarried girls gather again. Now married women and other men,

friends and relatives can participate. Then the eldest child of a family

opens Klidonas singing: "We are opening Klidonas with Agiannis

(Saint John’s) Grace and who has a good fate today to get it" and

takes out, one by one, the objects from the clay pot, reciting firstly

couplets that correspond to the "fate" of each girl. The couplet

corresponding to the object of every girl is considered to foretell her

future and is commented on by the other people with jokes and

banter. At dusk, when the process is finished, each girl fills her mouth

with a sip of water and stands speechless in front of an open window

or goes for a walk until she hears a male name which is believed to be

the name of her future husband. Then a big party is held with songs,

dance and drinking.

In autumn we hang a pomegranate at the front door of the house. While

changing the year on New Year’s Day, we break the pomegranate at the

entrance and enter the house on our right foot.

At Christmas we decorate boats (due to the engagement of the Greeks with

the sea and also an ecclesiastical reference - the Church is often symbolized

by a boat) and trees (decorating the tree is an ancient Greek custom which

was called "Eirisioni")

Magyarország / Hungria / Ungarn / Ungheria

Ungaria / Унгария / Ουγγαρία / Macaristan

Az 1945-90 közötti időszakban támogatott társadalmi csoportosulások voltak: a

kommunista párt; a párt ifjúsági szervezetei: KISZ (14-25 évesek), Úttörőszövetség

(úttörők - 10-14 évesek, kisdobosok – 7-10 évesek); szakszervezetek

"A párttagok különböző előnyöket élveztek, pl. vezető állásban csak párttagok

voltak."

"A gyerekek politikai szervezete az

úttörőszervezet volt. ... Kötelező volt az őrsi és

rajgyűlésen a részvétel, ... vasgyűjtést, falu-

vagy várostakarítást, papírgyűjtést is végeztek,

minden eseményt az őrsi- vagy rajnaplóban

örökítettek meg. A

legnagyobb élményt talán a

táborozások jelentették."

A VIT (Világifjúsági Találkozó) a baloldali ifjúság

világtalálkozója. A legnagyobb VIT 1957-ben volt Moszkvában,

amikor 131 országból 34000 fiatal gyűlt össze. A hidegháború

ideje alatt a kommunista tábor egyik propaganda eszközeként

használták fel a rendezvényt.

Tiltott társadalmi csoportosulások voltak a nem-kommunista pártok, a vallási

egyletek (KALOT, KALÁSZ, Regnum Marianum...)

"A politikai ünnepek ( április 4., május 1.,

november 7. és március 8. ) alkalmával adták át a

különböző jutalmakat (kitüntetéseket,

okleveleket). A május elsejei felvonuláskor

bemondták a kitüntetettek, jutalmazottak nevét.

Nagy eszem-iszom is jellemezte az ünnepeket.

Május elsején a felvonulás kötelező volt. Cserébe

egy pohár sört, egy pár virslit kaptak ingyen a

dolgozók."

"Az egyházi ünnepeket a vallásos családok az egyházi szertartásokon való

részvétellel is ünnepelték. Sokszor elutaztak más településekre, vagy nagyon korai

miséken vettek részt. Mi is vidéken kereszteltettük mindkét gyermekünket, s ott is

lettek elsőáldozók."

"A Karácsonyt fenyőünnepnek nevezték, így is meg akarták fosztani vallásos

jellegétől. Az iskolákban az ünnepet a téli szünet előtti utolsó napon tartották. A

földíszített fenyő mellett az osztályok műsort adtak elő. Ilyenkor a gyerekek

Magyarország / Hungria / Ungarn / Ungheria

Ungaria / Унгария / Ουγγαρία / Macaristan

megajándékozták egymást az osztályban. A Mikulást a Télapó helyettesítette. A

családban persze továbbra is a Mikulás volt, aki ajándékot rakott a gyerekek

kitisztított cipőjébe, csizmájába."

"A Feltámadás ünnepét a templomban töltöttük – a körmenetet

az állami szervek nem engedélyezték. ... Húsvétvasárnap

reggel édesanyám összecsomagolt egy kosárba, hófehér

szalvétában piros tojást, sonkát, kalácsot és kenyeret, majd ezt

elvitte a kora reggeli misére, ahol a miséző pap megszentelte."

Ma szabadon ünnepelhetünk minden keresztény ünnepet, sőt

munkaszüneti nap lett Mindenszentek és Pünkösdhétfő. Ismét

megtartható Budapesten a Szent Jobb körmenet augusztus 20-

án.

A családban ünnepeltük a születésnapokat, a névnapokat, a keresztelőt (melyet az

állam megpróbált helyettesíteni a névadó ünnepséggel), az esküvőt, a házassági

évfordulót. A temetés majdnem mindig egyházi szertartással történt.

Tavaszi népszokások: Ma is élő szokás húsvéthétfőn a locsolkodás, amikor a

lányokat a fiúk lelocsolják vízzel (régen) vagy kölnivel (ma). Előzetesen verset

mondtak, ami egy népi rigmus volt, s amiben megkérdezték: szabad-e locsolkodni.

A lányok a locsolkodásért pirosra festett vagy hímes tojást adtak és

megvendégelték a fiúkat. Sonkát, tojást, süteményt és

üdítőt adtak. Május 1-jén kapott májusfát a lány az

udvarlójától. Magas fák voltak erre alkalmasak, melyeket

a kerítéshez rögzítettek éjjel. A fákra színes

papírszalagokat és ételt, italt akasztottak, ezután

szerenádot adtak, amit a lánynak fogadni illett: kiment és

borral kínálta a legényeket. Gyakran a közösségeknek is

volt egy közös fája, aminek a kidöntését ünnepély, és

táncmulatság kísérte. Pünkösdi király az lehetett, aki valamilyen próbatételen nyert

(lovaglás, vadászat). Az, akit ő választott maga mellé, az lett a pünkösdi királyné.

Nyári-őszi népszokások: Szent Iván éjén (június 24.) nagy tüzet raktak és körülötte

énekeltek, táncoltak, kurjongattak. Aratás (augusztus) és szüret (október): a munka

végeztével a mulatság ideje.

Téli népszokások: A gyerekek ma is szeretik Szent Miklós napját (december 6.)

mert ilyenkor sok édességet kapnak a Mikulástól. Luca napján (december 13.)

kezdték meg a férfiak a lucaszék készítését, amire, ha karácsonykor, az éjféli misén

fölálltak, akkor meglátták, hogy ki a boszorkány.

Magyarország / Hungria / Ungarn / Ungheria

Ungaria / Унгария / Ουγγαρία / Macaristan

Between 1945 and 1990 the patronised social groups were: the communist party;

the party's youth organisations: KISZ, the Pioneers' Association (pioneers, little

drummers); the trade unions.

"Party members had privileges – e.g. only they could hold leadership positions."

"The political organisation for children

was the Pioneers' Association. It was

compulsory to participate in the regular

meetings at school. They collected metal

and paper waste, cleaned the

neighbourhood, and documented

everything in their special diary. The greatest event each year was probably the

summer camp."

The World Festival of Youth and Students was held in Moscow in 1957 with

34000 participants from 131 countries. During the Cold War this festival was the

means of Communist propaganda.

Prohibited social groups were: non-communist parties, religious associations

(KALOT, KALÁSZ, Regnum Marianum...)

"On the political holidays (4 April, 1 May, 7

November, 8 March) various awards were granted

to the workers. At the Mayday Demonstration the

names of the awarded were read through the

loudspeakers. Marching in the Mayday

demonstation was obligatory for all workers. These

holidays were celebrated by handing out free food

and drink: e.g. sausages and beer for 1 May."

"Religious holidays were celebrated by participating in liturgy. A lot of people

travelled far from their homes or attended very early holy masses" so as not to be

detected, since people were supposed to turn into materialists. "We had both our

children baptised in another town, and the kids received their first communion

there. "

"Christmas was renamed 'feast of the fir tree', to

take away its religious content. At school it was

celebrated on the last schoolday before the winter

holidays. The pupils decorated a fir tree, had a

performance and gave each other gifts." At church

we had a nativity play on the afternoon of 24

Magyarország / Hungria / Ungarn / Ungheria

Ungaria / Унгария / Ουγγαρία / Macaristan

December, then a midnight mass. "Santa Claus (who comes on 6 December in

Hungary) was replaced by Father Frost. At home it was still Santa Claus who hid

gifts in the kids' polished shoes or boots."

"We celebrated Christ's resurrection at church, although the traditional procession

was banned by the authorities. On Easter Sunday Mum packed ham, hard-boiled

eggs dyed red and sweatbread into a basket and took it to church to be blesssed."

Nowadays we can celebrate all religious holidays

freely, what's more, All Saints and Whitmonday

became public holidays. On 20 August we can

again hold the procession in memory of our first

king, St Stephen, carrying his relics along the

streets of Budapest. A lot of people attend this

ceremony in their folk costumes.

In the family we celebrated birthdays, namedays, christenings (which the state tried

to replace with 'namegiving'), weddings and wedding anniversaries. Funerals were

hardly ever held without a church minister.

Spring traditions: Sprinkling on Easter Monday is still a tradition: nowadays the

boys sprikle the girls with perfume (it used to be cold

water from the well) after having asked their permission by

reciting a short poem about 'a little flower which is

withering'. The girls give them dyed or decorated eggs in

return. On 1 May the boys cut down a tall tree, decorated it

with ribbons and bottles of wine and fixed it to the fence of

their beloved girl's home. Then they serenaded the girl.

The girl invited the boy for some cookies and wine if the courting was welcome.

Sometimes the village had a common tree, and the young danced around it. At

Pentecost we had a one-day king and queen chosen, from among those who won

some kind of challenge or were the most handsome/beautiful.

Summer and autumn traditions: on Midsummer Night people

danced and sang beside a huge open fire. Harvest (for wheat:

August, for grapes: October) is a time for merrymaking.

Winter traditions: Kids still love St Nicholas' Day when they

get a lot of sweets from 'Santa Claus'. On St Lucy's Day (13

December) men started preparing Lucy's chair, on which they

stood during the midnight mass on Christmas Eve to see who

the witches were.

I l 2 ottobreQuest’anno, afesta dei nonni con il concorso la “ torta più bella” .fiore, simbolo di questa festa, è il “me

I l 2 novembre ricorre la “ festa d

“ tetù” , “ taralle” e “ frutta martoranasembrare vera frutta.

13 dicembre: Santa Luciasignifica luce; ifesta di Santa Lucia è profondamente radicata nelle tradizioni popolari di Palermo.storico che risale al 13 grave carestia, la Santa invocata dalla popolamiracolo: una nave carica di fr

in quella nave la risposta di Lucia alle loro preghiere. Il popolo stremato dalla fame non perse tempo a macinare il frumen

Da allora, per devozione e tradizione, nel giorno di Santa Lucia, in molte zone della Sicilia sonosecondo un’antica credenza “chi mangia pane il giorno di Santa lucia diventa cieco” . Così, oggi, con cioccolato regina incontrastata della giornata sia unabellissima, calda, croccante e saporita “svariate varianti per tutti i palati: le classiche alburro, quelle con i funghi,

salmone. Altri piatti tipici sono

Natalevuoi” . mentre prima era diffusa la tradizione di fare il presepin casa, oggi si preferisce diversi da quelli di una volta,

giocattoliinvece l’usanza del presepe vivente in molti paesi siciliani: il più famoso è quello di Custonaci, in provincia di Trapani, dove sono rappresentati antichi mestieri.

tradizionaleinvernale ripieno di fichi, noci o mandorle. dolce preferito è il panettone

Italia/ Itàlia/ Италия/ Ιταλία

Olaszország/İtalya

I l 2 ottobre, dal 2005, si celebra la “ festa dei nonni”Quest’anno, a Portella di Mare, è stata festeggiata la 1^ festa dei nonni con il concorso la “ torta più bella” .fiore, simbolo di questa festa, è il “non ti scordar di me” .

ricorre la “ festa dei morti” , un tempo più sentita: i bambini ricevevano regali che loro pensavano fossero portati dai defunti. Oggi, è stata quasi sostituita da “Halloween” . la FRUTTA MARTORANAconsuetudine preparare per le fidanzate

frutta martorana” , cioè dolci di pasta di mandorle colorati e con una for

13 dicembre: Santa Lucia. Il suo nome deriva da Lux, Lucis che ; infatti, Lucia è considerata la protettrice degli occhi.

Santa Lucia è profondamente radicata nelle tradizioni popolari di Palermo. L’ importanza di questa festa è dovuta a un fatto

risale al 13 dicembre del 1646. A Palermo, durante una carestia, la Santa invocata dalla popolazione affamata fece il

una nave carica di frumento arrivò in porto. La gente vide in quella nave la risposta di Lucia alle loro preghiere. Il popolo stremato dalla fame

a macinare il frumento e lo mangiò bollito, creando così la “cuccìDa allora, per devozione e tradizione, nel giorno di Santa Lucia, in molte zone della Sicilia sono banditi pasta, pane e derivati perchèsecondo un’antica credenza “chi mangia pane il giorno di Santa lucia diventa cieco” . Così, oggi, si cucina il grano intero, condito con olio ocon cioccolato e ricotta. La tradizione vuole che il 13 dicembre, la regina incontrastata della giornata sia una palla di riso dorata: la bellissima, calda, croccante e saporita “arancina” . Ne esistono svariate varianti per tutti i palati: le classiche alla carne, prosciutto e

, quelle con i funghi, gli spinaci, il cioccolato, la salsiccia, il sono i ceci e le panelle, frittele di farina di ceci.

Natale. Si dice “Natale con i tuoi e Pasqua con chi vuoi” . Oggi come ieri il Natale si passa in famiglia mamentre prima era diffusa la tradizione di fare il presepin casa, oggi si preferisce l’albero con tanti regali sotto, diversi da quelli di una volta, quali bambole di pezza,

giocattoli di legno... tutti giocattoli fatti a mano! Rimane invece l’usanza del presepe vivente in molti paesi siciliani: il più famoso è quello di Custonaci, in provincia di Trapani, dove sono rappresentati antichi mestieri.

adizionale dolce casareccio è il buccellato, un dolce invernale ripieno di fichi, noci o mandorle. Oggidolce preferito è il panettone.

Ιταλία/ Italia/ Italien/

talya

, dal 2005, si celebra la “ festa dei nonni” . è stata festeggiata la 1^

festa dei nonni con il concorso la “ torta più bella” . Il non ti scordar di

ei morti” , un tempo più sentita: i bambini ricevevano regali che loro pensavano fossero portati dai defunti. Oggi, è stata quasi sostituita da “Halloween” . Dolce tradizionale è

FRUTTA MARTORANA: in passato era per le fidanzate cesti con

” , cioè dolci di pasta di mandorle colorati e con una forma tale da

Il suo nome deriva da Lux, Lucis che ata la protettrice degli occhi. La

Santa Lucia è profondamente radicata nelle tradizioni mportanza di questa festa è dovuta a un fatto

urante una zione affamata fece il

La gente vide in quella nave la risposta di Lucia alle loro preghiere. Il popolo stremato dalla fame

cuccìa” . Da allora, per devozione e tradizione, nel giorno di Santa Lucia, in

banditi pasta, pane e derivati perchè secondo un’antica credenza “chi mangia pane il giorno di Santa lucia

condito con olio o La tradizione vuole che il 13 dicembre, la

dorata: la e esistono

la carne, prosciutto e la salsiccia, il

i dice “Natale con i tuoi e Pasqua con chi ma,

mentre prima era diffusa la tradizione di fare il presepe l’albero con tanti regali sotto,

quali bambole di pezza,

di legno... tutti giocattoli fatti a mano! Rimane invece l’usanza del presepe vivente in molti paesi siciliani: il più famoso è quello di Custonaci, in provincia di Trapani, dove sono rappresentati antichi mestieri. Un

un dolce Oggi il Gli alunni della 3^A

hanno fatto l’esper ienza con un nonno.

Siracusa

Gennaio/ febbraio:con sfilate di carri allegorici, maschere varie e scherzi. Il più famoso, quello di Venezia.quello di Termini Imerese, in provincia di Palermol’ultimo giorno di carnevale si bruciano “nanna” che rappresentano “ il vecchio”

Maschere tradizionali , come “

chiacchiere, ma i più famosi sono i

19 marzo: San Giuseppevigilia, fare un grande falò, e, il giorno di San Giuseppe, prepargrande e particolare tavola apparecchiata con pane benedetto e molti svariati piattifestività, tra cui legumi

Altre consuetudini sono il bastone etc. In questa giornata i papà ricevono letterine e regali

particolari, e l’ incontro tra Gesù e la Madoanche le uova sode colorate, simbolo di rinascitauova come quellecosì come la

Festività nazionaligrazie alle lotte dei partigiani aiutati damaggiotraguardi raggiunti in campo economico e sociale dai lavoratornascita della

organizzare scampagnate

15 luglioPalermo. Secondo la leggenda, Rosalia nacque da una nobile Devotamente religiosa, siPellegrino, dove morì sola nel 1166.

la Santa apparve a un cacciatore a cui indicò dove potevano essere trovati i suoportare le sue ossa a Palermo e in processione per la città. Il fu chiesto e la peste cessò. Santa Rosalia Palermo e un santuario fu costruito nella resti. La celebrazione, chiamata “ festino” ,luglio. La vigilia c’è un caratteristico corteo storico con un carro trionfale trainato da buoi o cavalli durante in scena da attori che indossano costuminotte con spettacolari giochi pirotecnici. Itradizionale acchianata (salita)

" U nannu e a nanna"

Italia/ Itàlia/ Италия/ Ιταλία

Olaszország/İtalya

Gennaio/ febbraio: in tutta Italia si festeggia Carnevale con sfilate di carri allegorici, maschere varie e scherzi. Il più famoso, quello di Venezia. In Sicilia, il più antico è quello di Termini Imerese, in provincia di Palermo dove

giorno di carnevale si bruciano “u nannu e a ” che rappresentano “ il vecchio” .

Maschere tradizionali , come “Pulcinella” e “Ar lecchino” , sono ormai state sostituite dai personaggi di cartoni animati. Dolci tipici: “cudduredda” , pignoccata e

, ma i più famosi sono i cannoli, croste tubolari ripiene di ricotta e z

19 marzo: San Giuseppe e festa del papà. E’ consuetudine, la vigilia, fare un grande falò, e, il giorno di San Giuseppe, preparare, anche nella nostra scuola, “A TAVULATAgrande e particolare tavola apparecchiata con pane benedetto e molti svariati piatti tipici di questa festività, tra cui zuppa con tutti i tipi di pasta e legumi, pasta con le sarde e finocchi e “sfinci” .

bastone del Santo ricoperto di fiori e frutti, archi di pane In questa giornata i papà ricevono letterine e regali dai figli.

Marzo/apr ile: Pasqua. Per ricordare la Passione, Morte e Resurrezione di Cristo si svolgono diversi riti religiosie folkloristici: i sepolcri, la via crucis, processioni, di cui alcune con costumi

e l’ incontro tra Gesù e la Madonna. Tradizionali le uova sode colorate, simbolo di rinascita. Ci sono altre

come quelle al cioccolato, “u pupu cu l’ovu” , tipici dolci pasquali la rinomata cassata e la pecora di marzapane.

Festività nazionali: 25 apr ile, festa della liberazionegrazie alle lotte dei partigiani aiutati dagli alleati maggio, festa dei lavoratori, per l'impegno del movimento sindacale ed i traguardi raggiunti in campo economico e sociale dai lavoratornascita della Repubblica italiana. In queste giornate è consuetudine

organizzare scampagnate.

15 luglio: Santa Rosalia. Chiamata anche “a Santuzza” , è la Santa patrona di Palermo. Secondo la leggenda, Rosalia nacque da una nobile Devotamente religiosa, si ritirò per vivere come eremita in una grotta sul monte Pellegrino, dove morì sola nel 1166. Nel 1624 una terribile peste afflisse Palermo:

Santa apparve a un cacciatore a cui indicò dove potevano essere trovati i suoportare le sue ossa a Palermo e in processione per la città. Il cacciatore trovò le

Santa Rosalia divenne così la santa patrona di Palermo e un santuario fu costruito nella grotta dove furono trovati i suoi resti. La celebrazione, chiamata “ festino” , è ancora tenuta ogni anno il 15

caratteristico corteo storico con un carro trionfale trainato da buoi o cavalli durante il quale diverse performance sono messe in scena da attori che indossano costumi seicenteschi. La festa culmina la

giochi pirotecnici. Il 4 settembre c’è la (salita) a piedi a monte Pellegrino.

maschere del carnevale di Venezia

Ιταλία/ Italia/ Italien/

talya

e tubolari ripiene di ricotta e zucchero.

. E’ consuetudine, la vigilia, fare un grande falò, e, il giorno di San Giuseppe,

TAVULATA” ,una

del Santo ricoperto di fiori e frutti, archi di pane

Per ricordare esurrezione di

Cristo si svolgono diversi riti religiosi : i sepolcri, la via crucis,

processioni, di cui alcune con costumi sono

. Ci sono altre tipici dolci pasquali

festa della liberazione dal nazi-fascismo gli alleati inglesi e americani; 1

l'impegno del movimento sindacale ed i traguardi raggiunti in campo economico e sociale dai lavoratori. 2 giugno:

italiana. In queste giornate è consuetudine

a Santuzza” , è la Santa patrona di Palermo. Secondo la leggenda, Rosalia nacque da una nobile famiglia normanna.

ritirò per vivere come eremita in una grotta sul monte 1624 una terribile peste afflisse Palermo:

Santa apparve a un cacciatore a cui indicò dove potevano essere trovati i suoi resti. Gli ordinò di trovò le sue ossa, fece ciò che gli

maschere del carnevale di Venezia

Since 2005, dayschool make some cakes in order to choose the most beautiful one. forget me” .

On the 2nd of November is the “

“ tetù” , “ taralle” and “Martoranaresemble real fruit.

On 13rd December: Saint LucyLucis meaning "Light", as she is the patron of Santa Lucia, is deeply rooted in Palermo's popoular traditions. The importance of this feast is due to a real historical event13rd December 1646.Palermo, people started to pray that Saint and a miracle happened: a big ship full of corn appeared in the port of the city, saving

from the death. The story tells that the people of the town were so starving that they can't wait for the corn to be proso they started to boil it From that day, every year the feast of Santa Lucia has been celebrated in the city, and people avoid almost every kind of corn or flour because, according to a traditional believingbecome blind” .and ricotta cream and chocolate. Anyway the “queen” of that day, is the “arancinarange of shapes and flavours like meat, traditional

salmon and many more. On Saint Lucy’s day other typical dishes are and chick peas fr ites.

Chr istmaswith yours and Easter with whoever you want”Today like yesterday, Christmas is spent at homebut with custom to prepare the Nativity scene and there were few

and so on; Christmas tree with lots of Altogether there is always tNativity scene in many villages. famous represented.

Italia/ Itàlia/ Италия/ Ιταλία

Olaszország/İtalya

Since 2005, on the 2nd of October the “Grandparents’ day” is celebrated. For the first time, in Portella di Mare school it has been feasted by inviting grandparents to make some cakes in order to choose the most beautiful one. Symbol of this feast is a flower, the so-called “don’ t forget me” .

of November is the “All Souls’ Day” . In the past it was more important: children received lots of gifts they thought to be brought by their relatives’ souls. Nowadays Halloween has almost taken its place. Moreover, girlfriends baskets full of traditional sweets

Martorana fruit” , that is to say almond marzipan pastries

On 13rd December: Saint Lucy’s day. Her name comes frommeaning "Light", as she is the patron saint of the eyes. The feast

of Santa Lucia, is deeply rooted in Palermo's popoular traditions. The importance of this feast is due to a real historical event happened on 13rd December 1646. During a great famine, that was hitting the city of

le started to pray that Saint and a miracle happened: a big ship full of corn appeared in the port of the city, saving all the

from the death. The story tells that the people of the town were so starving that they can't wait for the corn to be processed into brso they started to boil it and ate boiled grains, the so-called ”cuccìa” . From that day, every year the feast of Santa Lucia has been celebrated in the city, and people avoid almost every kind of corn or flour

according to a traditional believing, “ if you eat bread, you’ ll become blind” . So, nowadays, people prepare the cuccia both with oil and ricotta cream and chocolate. Anyway the “queen” of that day,

arancina” a golden rice ball which you can taste in a wide range of shapes and flavours like meat, ham and butter (the traditional ones) , mushrooms, spinach, chocolate, sausages,

On Saint Lucy’s day other typical dishes are chick peas

Chr istmas. A typical way of saying is “ Christmas with yours and Easter with whoever you want” . Today like yesterday, Christmas is spent at homebut with some differences: in the past, it was a custom to prepare the Nativity scene and there were few handcraft presents like rag dolls, wooden toys

and so on; nowadays people prefer decorating the Christmas tree with lots of hi-tech gifts under it. Altogether there is always the custom of the living Nativity scene in many villages. İn Sicily the most famous one is in Custonaci where many old jobs are epresented.

A traditional homemade sweet is the “buccellato” , a crusty winter cake having asweet filling of figs, nuts or almonds. However,nowadays people prefer the “panettone” .

Ιταλία/ Italia/ Italien/

talya

Grandparents’ in Portella di Mare

has been feasted by inviting grandparents to make some cakes in order to choose the most beautiful

called “don’ t

In the past it was more important: children received gifts they thought to be brought by their

relatives’ souls. Nowadays Halloween has almost Moreover, it was a habit to give

full of traditional sweets such as almond marzipan pastries colored and shaped to

er name comes from Lux, The feast

of Santa Lucia, is deeply rooted in Palermo's popoular traditions. The happened on

uring a great famine, that was hitting the city of le started to pray that Saint and a miracle happened: a big

the citizens from the death. The story tells that the people of the town were so

cessed into bread, called ”cuccìa” .

From that day, every year the feast of Santa Lucia has been celebrated in the city, and people avoid almost every kind of corn or flour

“ if you eat bread, you’ ll So, nowadays, people prepare the cuccia both with oil

and ricotta cream and chocolate. Anyway the “queen” of that day, te in a wide

ham and butter (the sausages,

chick peas

way of saying is “ Christmas .

Today like yesterday, Christmas is spent at home : in the past, it was a

custom to prepare the Nativity scene and there were like rag dolls, wooden toys

nowadays people prefer decorating the gifts under it.

living n Sicily the most

Custonaci where many old jobs are

homemade sweet is the crusty winter cake having a

However,

Pupils of 3rd A have exper ienced the buccellato with a grandfather .

Siracusa

January/February: at parades of allegorical charts with typical masks and jokes. In Italy one of Venice; in Sicilyof Termini Imerese, in the last day of the feast “nanna” (granpa and grandma) are burnt to highlight the end of

famous are the “

On the 19the eve, Saint‘s daybig table with blessed bread and every kind of typical dishes such as soup made of all kinds of legumes and pasta; pasta with sardines and fennel and “pastoral stamade with bread

fathers receive letters and gifts from their children

them show characteristic costumes)mother, Mariathey’ re symboleggs and “u pupu cu l’ovu” which are trenowned ” cassata

National festivitiesNaziAllies’ supportmovement

June: the Italians commemorate the birth ofcountry

Saint RosaliaPalermoreligious, she retired to life as adied alone in 1166. hunter to whom she indicated where her remains could be found. She ordered him to

bring her bones to Palermo and have them carried bones, he did what she had asked the patron Saint of Palermo, and a sanctuary was built in the cave where her remains were discovered. The celebration, calleon July 15th. On the eve there carried on by bulls or horses and different performances dresses of the 17th century. At night the feast culminates with spectacular fireworks. On September 4th Palermo up to Mount Pellegrino.

" A tavulata" prepared at school

" U nannu e a nanna"

Italia/ Itàlia/ Италия/ Ιταλία

Olaszország/İtalya

January/February: at Carnival people arrange parades of allegorical charts with typical masks

n Italy the most famous Carnival is the in Sicily, the most ancient is the one

of Termini Imerese, in province of Palermo, where the last day of the feast “u nannu e a

” (granpa and grandma) are burnt to highlight the end of

the “old” . Unfortunately, traditional masks like “Pulcinella” and “Ar lecchino” have been replaced by cartoons’ characters. Traditional sweets are the “cudduredda” , the “chiacchiere” , the “p

the “cannoli” , tubular crusts filled with creamy ricotta and sugar.

On the 19th of March: Saint Joseph’s day and father ’s daythe eve, people are used to make Saint Joseph’s fire, Saint‘s day they are used to set “a tavulata” , that is a particular big table with blessed bread and every kind of typical dishes such as soup made of all kinds of legumes and pasta; pasta with sardines and fennel and “sfinci. Other habits are the pastoral staff covered by flowers and fruit, arches made with bread and so on. On this day all the

fathers receive letters and gifts from their children.

March/Apr il: Easter . To remember the Passion, the Death and the Resurof Jesus Christ different religious and ethnic rites are performed: the “sepolcri” (altars adorned with every kind of plants) the “via crucis” , processions (some of

them show characteristic costumes), the meeting between Jesus and his mother, Maria etc. Colored hard-boiled eggs are also traditional: they’ re symbol of new life. There are other types of eggs like chocolate

“u pupu cu l’ovu” which are typical Easter sweets as well ascassata” , and the “ lamb” made of marzipan.

National festivities: 25thApr il, The "Liberation DayNazi-fascism thanks to the Partisans’ Resistance and Allies’ support; 1st May, the Labor day, highlights the efforts of themovement and the goals achieved in the workers’ economic and

Italians commemorate the birth of the I talian Republic. On these day people are used to country and have large meals (roast beef, sausages, artichokes etc.).

Saint Rosalia, also called “A Santuzza” (the Little Saint)Palermo. According to legend, Rosalia belonged to a Normanreligious, she retired to life as a hermit in a cave on Mountdied alone in 1166. In 1624, a horrible plague hit Palermo: Sthunter to whom she indicated where her remains could be found. She ordered him to

bring her bones to Palermo and have them carried in procession through the city. The hunter e did what she had asked him and the plague ceased. St Rosalia became

aint of Palermo, and a sanctuary was built in the cave where her The celebration, called “ festino” , is still held each year

is a characteristic procession with a triumphal chart or horses and different performances played by actors wearing

dresses of the 17th century. At night the feast culminates with spectacular there is a traditionally barefoot walking from

Palermo up to Mount Pellegrino.

Ιταλία/ Italia/ Italien/

talya

“chiacchiere” , the “pignoccata” but the most with creamy ricotta and sugar.

father ’s day. On Saint Joseph’s fire, and on the

that is a particular big table with blessed bread and every kind of typical dishes such as soup made of all kinds of legumes and pasta; pasta with

remember the Passion, the Death and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ different religious and

ed: the “sepolcri” (altars adorned with every kind of plants)

(some of the meeting between Jesus and his

lso traditional: chocolate as well as the

Liberation Day", recalls the end of the and the American and British

the efforts of the trade union in the workers’ economic and social field; 2nd

On these day people are used to go to the artichokes etc.).

(the Little Saint), is the patron Saint of Norman noble family. Devoutly

Mount Pellegrino, where she hit Palermo: St Rosalia appeared to a

hunter to whom she indicated where her remains could be found. She ordered him to ion through the city. The hunter found her

became aint of Palermo, and a sanctuary was built in the cave where her

, is still held each year chart

earing dresses of the 17th century. At night the feast culminates with spectacular

walking from

Venice Carnival’s masks

Portugal / Portogallo / Португалия / Πορτογαλία

/ Portugália / Portugalia / Portekiz

De 1932 a 1974, vivíamos em ditadura (António Salazar era o nosso primeiro-ministro) e não

havia liberdade de expressão. As pessoas que se manifestavam contra o governo eram presas

pela Polícia Internacional de Defesa do Estado (polícia política), que praticava a tortura, como

forma de obter informações. Nos órgãos de comunicação social, era praticada a censura.

A Mocidade Portuguesa, que tinha hino e uniformes próprios e era obrigatória para os

alunos, dos 7 aos 14 anos, era uma organização governamental, que pretendia abranger toda a

juventude – escolar ou não – e tinha como objetivos estimular o desenvolvimento integral da

sua capacidade física, a formação do caráter e a devoção à Pátria. Promovia o gosto pela

ordem e pela disciplina e o culto dos deveres morais e cívicos.

Nos anos sessenta, devido à falta de emprego, em Portugal, e, nalguns casos, para fugir à

guerra colonial, os portugueses emigraram para outros países (França, Alemanha, Suíça,

Bélgica, Estados Unidos, Canadá, Angola, Moçambique, Venezuela, Brasil, África do Sul e,

em menor escala, Austrália), em busca de melhores condições de vida.

Esta emigração provocou a redução e o envelhecimento da população, principalmente, nas

regiões do interior.

Em 1975, devido à independência das colónias portuguesas, verificou-se um regresso em

massa de portugueses, vindos, sobretudo, de Angola e Moçambique, que tiveram de abandonar

os países onde viviam, apressadamente, trazendo, para Portugal, pouquíssimos haveres.

Criaram-se diversos programas de assistência, para remediar a situação destes retornados, em

termos de alojamento, condições financeiras e emprego e a sua integração processou-se com

eficácia, não dando origem a conflitos sociais significativos mas a uma mudança na sociedade.

Vida Social

Costumes e Tradições

étnicas FADO- O fado é um estilo musical português. Geralmente é cantado por uma só pessoa

(fadista) com o seu xaile negro e acompanhado por guitarra clássica e guitarra portuguesa.

A origem do fado, é de difícil localização temporal e geográfica. Mas pensa-se que o fado de

Lisboa terá nascido a partir dos cânticos do povo muçulmano.

A palavra fado deriva do latim fatum, que significa destino. Os seus temas recorrentes passam

pelo amor, tragédia, as dificuldades da vida e a saudade, daí o seu tom lamentoso.

O fado foi elevado à categoria de Património Oral e Imaterial da Humanidade pela UNESCO

em Novembro de 2011.

TOURADA - A Tauromaquia ocupou em Portugal, ao longo dos séculos, um lugar de relevo

na sua expressão cultural. Na corrida de touros à portuguesa os cavaleiros vestem-se com trajes

do século XVIII e os forcados vestem-se como os rapazes do fim do século XIX.

A tourada portuguesa inicia-se com a Cortesia onde todos os intervenientes (cavaleiros,

forcados, bandarilheiros, novilheiros, campinos e outros intervenientes) entram na arena e

cumprimentam o público presente na praça. Segue-se a lide a cavalo em que cada o touro é

lidado por um cavaleiro tauromáquico, que tem um determinado tempo durante o qual poderá

cravar um número variável de farpas no dorso do animal.

Após a lide vem a pega. A pega é realizada por um grupo de oito homens ao qual se dá o nome

de grupo de forcados. Os forcados enfrentam o touro a pé com o objetivo de o conseguir

imobilizar unicamente à força de braços. A pega é consumada quando o forcado da cara se

mantenha seguro nos cornos do touro e este seja detido e imobilizado pelos seus companheiros.

Portugal / Portogallo / Португалия / Πορτογαλία

/ Portugália / Portugalia / Portekiz

FUTEBOL - Conhecido como paixão nacional, o futebol é um jogo que hoje mobiliza a paixão

de diversas pessoas espalhadas pelo mundo. Ganhando destaque ímpar no mundo dos desportos.

A primeira aparição do futebol em Portugal ocorreu em 1888, em Cascais, protagonizado por um

grupo de veraneantes provenientes da alta sociedade portuguesa, onde se destacava Guilherme

Pinto Basto, o grande responsável pela introdução deste jogo em terras lusitanas.

A primeira aparição da Seleção Nacional ocorreu em 1928, nos Jogos Olímpicos de Amesterdão.

Em 1991, a seleção portuguesa é a primeira equipa a consagrar-se, pela segunda vez, campeã

mundial no Campeonato Mundial de Futebol.

Eusébio, Luís Figo e atualmente Cristiano Ronaldo são jogadores mundialmente conhecidos.

FESTAS E ROMARIAS- As festas e romarias são um traço típico da nossa cultura popular e

tradicional. As romarias são festas em honra do santo patrono. Têm uma dimensão religiosa e

uma dimensão profana.

Santos Populares – Os portugueses gostam de festas, tradições e sardinhas e é em Junho, o mês

dos Santos Populares, que se festejam um pouco por todo o país. Destas comemorações, a mais

popular é a de Santo António (13 de Junho), pois é nesta altura que se juntam os pedidos para

encontrar a “cara-metade” e para um casamento abençoado pelo Santo, com o cheiro das

sardinhas grelhadas e do manjerico e ainda com as famosas marchas populares, dos balões

coloridos e bailes festivos.

ARTESANATO – Portugal é um país rico em artesanato. Destacam-se os Tapetes de

Arraiolos, com séculos de história, bordados à mão por gerações e gerações de bordadeiras,

fazendo parte do artesanato mais conhecido de Portugal. Está a ser preparada a sua candidatura

a Património da Humanidade.

Louça Cortiça Barro Bordados Cestaria

FOLCLORE- O folclore português é composto por diferentes estilos de música e de danças que podem variar

segundo as regiões.

Pauliteiros de Miranda O Vira (Minho) Fandango (Ribatejo) Corridinho (Algarve)

JOGOS TRADICIONAIS – Os jogos tradicionais são aqueles que têm origem remota, que

pertencem culturalmente a um povo e que são praticados por todas as classes sociais. Estes jogos

fazem parte da identidade cultural de um povo e transmitem-se ao longo dos tempos, de geração em

geração.

Os jogos tradicionais populares constituem um importantíssimo património cultural do nosso país. O

Agrupamento de Escolas de Alvide detém um dos maiores acervos de jogos tradicionais usados por

todas as escolas do Concelho.

Portugal / Portogallo / Португалия / Πορτογαλία

/ Portugália / Portugalia / Portekiz

From 1932 to 1974 we lived in dictatorship (António Salazar was our prime minister) and

there was no freedom of expression. People demonstrating against the government were

arrested by the International Defense Police of the State (political police), who practiced

torture as a means of obtaining information. In the media, censorship was practiced.

The juvenile organization “Portuguese Youth”, who had their own anthem, uniform and was

compulsory for students from 7 to 14 years, was a government organization, intended to cover

all youth - students or not - and had the intention of stimulating the development of full physic

capacities, the formation of character and devotion to the Motherland. It also promoted the

obedience to order and discipline, and worshiping of moral and civic duties.

In the sixties, due to lack of employment in Portugal, and in some cases, to escape the colonial

war, the Portuguese start to emigrate to other countries (France, Germany, Switzerland,

Belgium, USA, Canada, Angola, Mozambique, Venezuela, Brazil, South Africa and, to a

lesser extent, Australia), in search of better living conditions.

This led to reduction and the aging of the population, especially in the interior regions.

In 1975, due to the independence of the Portuguese colonies, there was a mass return of

Portuguese people, coming mainly from Angola and Mozambique, who had to flee quickly the

countries, bringing to Portugal very few possessions or none at all.

Portugal created various assistance programs to remedy the situation of the so called returnees

in terms of housing, employment and financial conditions and their integration was handled

effectively, without significant social conflicts but with significant social changes.

Social Life

Costums and Traditions

étnicas FADO- Fado is a Portuguese music style. It is usually sung by one person (singer) with her

black shawl and accompanied by both classical and Portuguese guitar.

The origin of fado is difficult to locate temporal and geographically, but it is believed to have

been born from the songs of the Muslim people.

The word derives from the Latin” fatum”, which means fate, and their recurring themes pass

by love, tragedy, the difficulties of life and longing, hence the plaintive tone.

The fado was elevated to the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in

November 2011. The most known fado singer was Amália Rodrigues and recently Mariza.

BULLFIGHTING - Over the centuries the Bullfighting in Portugal occupied an important

place in the cultural expression. The Portuguese horsemen dress in costumes of the XVIII

century and the pitchforks dress like the boys in the late XIX century.

The Portuguese bullfight begins with the courtesy where all participants (riders, pitchforks,

banderilleros, novilheiros, herdsmen and others) enter the arena and greet the public present in

it. Each horseman has a certain time to “deal” the bull, during which he may stick a variable

number of barbs.

After the horsemen deal, is the “hold”. The hold is held by a group of eight men, the

pitchforks. They face the bull on foot with the goal of achieving its immobilization only with

the arms strength. It finishes when the pitchfork leader remains safe on the horns of the bull

and the animal is held immobilized by his companions.

Portugal / Portogallo / Португалия / Πορτογαλία

/ Portugália / Portugalia / Portekiz

FOOTBALL - Known as a national passion, football is a game that mobilizes the passion of

millions around the world.

The first appearance of football in Portugal, took place in 1888, in Cascais, starring a group of

holidaymakers from the Portuguese high society. To Guilherme Pinto Basto is attributed the

introduction of football in Portugal.

The National Team first appears in 1928 in the Amsterdam Olympic Games.

In 1991, the Portuguese national team is the first to win, for the second time, the world

championship in the World Cup.

Eusébio, Luis Figo, Cristiano Ronaldo and José Mourinho are currently worldwide known

players and coach.

FESTIVITIES- The festivities are a typical trace of our popular and traditional culture. The

festivals are usually celebrations in honor of the patron saints. They have a religious and a

profane dimension.

The Popular Saints – The Portuguese people like festivals, traditions and grilled sardines and

June is the month of the popular saints (Anthony, John and Peter), celebrated from north to

south. The most popular is St. Anthony (June 13, mainly in Lisbon), since he has the reputation

to be a good matchmaker. It is on this day that many couples get a blessed marriage. It is on an

ambience impregnated with the smell of grilled sardines, basil and colorful balloons, that the

people dance the famous popular marches.

HANDICRAFT – Portugal is rich in handicraft. Noteworthy are the “Arraiolos” carpets, with

centuries of history, hand embroidery by generations of embroiderers, part of Portugal's best-

known handicrafts. It’s being prepared its bid for World Heritage status.

Crockery Cork Clay Embroidery Basktery

FOLKLORE- Portuguese Folklore consists of different music styles and dances that vary from region.

Pauliteiros de Miranda O Vira (Minho) Fandango (Ribatejo) Corridinho (Algarve)

TRADITIONAL GAMES – Traditional games are those that come from remote times, culturally

belonging to a people and are practiced by all social classes. These games are part of the cultural

identity of a people and are transmitted throughout the ages, from generation to generation.

The popular traditional games are a very important cultural heritage of our country and Alvide

Group of Schools is proud to have one of the most significant traditional games collections used by

all scholar communities of Cascais.

România / Roménia / Румъния / Ρουμανία /

Rumänien / Romania / Romanya

Christmas and holiday season in Romania starts once with

Saint Andrew’s day. Customs say everyone should hang plenty of

garlic and a crucifix next to all doors and windows on the mansion,

to keep evil spirits, and spells away from their home. Gosts or

vampires may occur during the night between November 30th and

December 1st as this night is popularly known as Noaptea lupului

(Night of the wolf).

December 1st is the Great Union Day (Ziua Marii Uniri),

the National Day of Romania. In Bucharest and Alba Iulia

Romanian Armed Forces have parades, showing their Land and Air

vehicles and performing the Romanian national anthem "Deșteaptă-

te, române!", written especially for the Union back in 1918.

On the 6th of December children wait inpatient to find out

what gifts Saint Nicholas put into their shoes. It may happen, if a

child wasn’t good enough during the last year, that Saint Nicholas

brigs a little rod to that kid.

On December 20th, Saint Ignatius day, Romanians sacrify

pigs for the Christmas Eve supper. On December 23rd is Noaptea

de ajun. Children start caroling. On the same day women bake

traditional cookies. The Christmas tree must normally be already

decorated.

România / Roménia / Румъния / Ρουμανία /

Rumänien / Romania / Romanya

Dragobete is a traditional Romanian holiday originating

from Dacian times and celebrated on February, the 24th. That day

is particularly known as "the day when the birds are betrothed". It

is around this time that the birds begin to build their nests and mate.

Boys and girls gather vernal flowers and sing together.

Mărțișor (Romanian pronunciation: [mərtsiʃor]) is an old

Romanian celebration at the beginning of spring, on March the

1st, which according to old calendar was also considered as the

beginning of the New Year. Symbolically, it is correlated to women

and to fertility as a means of life and continuity. The tradition is

authentic in Romania, Moldova, and all territories inhabited by

Romanians .

Easter means for the Romanians both the resurrection of

Christ and the renewal of their everyday life. Everyone dresses

with their best clothes and goes to the midnight mess. Candles are

lightened for each person during the mess for bringing the sacred

light into their souls and houses. It is also said that these candles

protect those who carry them back home from thunder, lightning

and injury.

Wallachia's Folk Costume

Fabric, style of embroidery, and head cover are specific to

Dambovita and they are handmade. During long winter nights

people used to make their traditional costumes. Even today some

people wear traditional costumes on Sunday at church or at a local

celebration.

România / Roménia / Румъния / Ρουμανία /

Rumänien / Romania / Romanya

Sărbătoarea Crăciunului și sezonul sărbătorilor de iarna se

dechide cu Ziua sfântului Andrei. Obiceiul spune ca oamenii agață

usturoi la fereastre și la uși pentru a-i feri de duhuri rele și de vrăji.

Noapte dintre 30 noiembrie și 1 decembrie este cunoscută sub

numele de „ Noaptea Lupului” și se spune că atunci umblă strigoii

și alte duhuri rele.

1 Decembrie este sărbătoarea națională a tuturor

românilor . La București și la Alba Iulia forțele armate prezintă

parade militară. Românii cântă imnul national „Deșteapta-te

române !”, care a fost scris in 1918 cu ocazia Marii Uniri.

Pe 6 Decembrie copiii așteaptă cu nerăbdare să afle ce

daruri le-a lăsat Moș Nicolae în ghete. Se poate întâmpla, după cum

arată legendele, că dacă un copil nu s-a purtat bine, Moș Nicolae să

aducă o nuielușă.

Pe 20 Decembrie, în ziua de Ignat, românii sacrifică porcii

pentru pregătirea bucatelor care vor fi pe masa de Crăciun. Pe 23

Decembrie este „Noaptea de Ajun ” când copiii colindă și

gospodinele fac prăjituri. La acea dată bradul de Crăciun este deja

decorat.

România / Roménia / Румъния / Ρουμανία /

Rumänien / Romania / Romanya

Dragobete este o sărbătoare tradițională , de origini dacice,

care se sărbătorește pe 24 Februarie. Se spune că în acea zi

păsările încep să construiască cuiburile și să se împerecheze. Băieții

și fetele merg împreună să culeagă flori și să cânte.

Mărțișorul este un vechi obicei care se sărbătorește pe 1

Martie. Această data era începutul Anului Nou, în calendarul

vechi. Mărțișorul simbolizează fertilitate, ca simbol al vieții și

continuității. Tradiția este respectată în România și în teritoriile

unde trăiesc români.

Paștele reprezintă pentru români atât Învierea lui Cristos cât

și reînnoirea vieții de zi cu zi. Românii îmbracă hainele cele mai

bune, se duc la slujba de Înviere și aduc lumina sfântă în casele și

în sufletele lor. Se consideră că lumânarea aprinsă, adusă până

acasă, îi ferește de rele.

Costumul tradițional din Muntenia

Textura, croiala și broderia sunt specifice Dâmboviței și

sunt lucrate manual. În timpul nopților lungi de iarnă, oamenii

obișnuiau să confecționeze costumele tradiționale , Ele diferă de la

o zonă etnografică la alta. Chiar și azi unii oameni poartă costumele

tradiționale la biserică, duminica, sau la alte sărbători.

Türkiye / Turkey / Турция / Türkei / Τουρκία /

Törökország / Turchia / Turquia /

Türk kültüründe kötülüklerden korunmak amacıyla kullanılan bir taştır. Nazar

boncuğu adı verilen bu taş ortasında bir göz varmış gibi görünür ve mavi

renklidir.Nazar boncuğunun kıskanç gözleri üzerine çektiğine ve böylelikle kötü

enerjiyi kendine hapsettiğine inanılır.Nazar boncuğu yeni doğan bebeklere, evlerin

girişlerine,arabalara asılır.Ayrıca bayanlar için küpe,kolye,bilezik gibi takı süsü olarak

da kullanılır

Çay, Türk kültüründe yaygın bir içecektir. Türk misafirperverliğinin en önemli

sembollerinden biri olan çay evlerde, çayevlerinde sıklıkla içilir. Çay ya da Türk kahvesi

sohbetlerin, dostlukların, güzel ilişkilerin vazgeçilmez ikramlarındandır. Çay, rengini

göstermesi için cambardaklarda, sıcak olarak ikram edilir.Tercihen içine şeker atılır.

Türk kahvesi kısık ateşte ve cezve adı verilen bir kapta yapılır. Tercihe göre

şekerli ya da sade olarak özel bir fincanda içilir. Kahvenin iyi piştiği ve lezzeti

üzerindeki bol köpükten anlaşılır. Bu geleneksel içecek içildikten sonra genellikle

fincanın tabağa ters kapatılmasıyla bekletilir ve soğuyan kahve telvesine çeşitli

yorumlar yapılarak fal bakılır. Türk kahvesi lokumla ikram edilir.

Hamamlar, Türk kültürünün önemli yapılarındandır.İslam inancının

öğretilerinden biri olan temizlenme ve yıkanma amacıyla yapılan hamamlar sosyal

hayatın içinde tarihi ve görkemli yapılarıyla önemli bir yer tutar. Çok eski

zamanlardan beri Türk kültüründe yer alan hamamlar tarihi ve mimari yapılarıyla

her zaman dikkat çekici olmuş birçok mimarın şaheserleri arasında yer almıştır.

Fıkraları ve esprili söyleyişleriyle Türk zekasınn dehası kabul edilen Nasrettin Hoca

dünyaca tanınmış bir kişiliktir.Onun fıkralarının en büyük özelliği,güldürürken aynı

zamanda düşündürmesidir.Nasrettin Hoca fıkralarıyla adını tarihe yazdırmış

unutulmaz bir üstatdır.

Türkiye / Turkey / Турция / Türkei / Τουρκία /

Törökország / Turchia / Turquia /

Dört günlük bir bayram olan “Kurban Bayramı” İslam inancında Allah’a

adanan bir hayvanın (inek,koyun,keçi,deve gibi) kesilmesi ile yapılan kutsal bir

kutlamadır.Bu özel gün için bütün evlerde hazırlıklar yapılır.Çeşitli yemekler

hazırlanır ,akrabalar,komşular ziyaret edilir.İnsanların birbirleriyle iyi ilişkiler

kurması önemlidir.Kesilen hayvan etlerinin ihtiyaç sahiplerine dağıtılması esas

amaçtır.Yardımlaşmayı ve başkalarına karşı kayıtsız kalmamayı öğreten bu bayramda kabir ziyaretlerinin

yapılması da gelenekseldir.

Evlenecek olan kızın evinde düğünden önce yapılan geleneksel törene “Kına Gecesi” denir.Bu tören

genellikle bayanlar arasında yapılır.Kına damadın ailesi tarafından alınır.Bakır ya da

gümüş bir kabın içine konulan kına evlilik hayatı mutlu olan bir kişi tarafından suyla

hamur haline getirilir.Başına kırmızı ve süslü bir tül konulan gelin, söylenen halk

türküleriyle ortaya getirilir.Gelinin avucuna hazırlanan kınadan sürülür.Yakılan

kına kurulan yeni ailede fedakar ve sadık olmayı simgeler.

“Nevruz” nev(yeni), ruz(gün) kelimelerinden oluşan bu sözcük “Yeni gün” anlamına

gelir ve baharın başlangıcıdır. Türk geleneğinde bahar başlangıcı, yeni yılın

başlangıcıdır. Bu başlangıc doğanın canlanmasını ve yeni, güzel bir yıla girilmesini

simgeler. Bu amaçlar ateşler yakılır, eski yılın kötülüklerden arınmak adına bu

ateşlerin üzerinden atlanır. Evlerde bahar temizliği yapılır,yemekler hazırlanır,

dilekler tutulur. Bahar başlangıcı yeni umutların ve güzel,saglıklı,mutlu günlerin başalngıcı olarak coşkuyla

kutlanır.

“Aşure” Türk mutfağının en eski ve geleneksel tatlılarından biridir. Yılın belli

zamanında bütün evlerde bereket getirmesi amacıyla yapılır, komşulara ve misafirlere

ikram edilir. Buğday, nohut, kuru meyve, incir,kayısı,fındık gibi birçok çeşidin içinde yer

aldığı aşure şeker konularak pişirilir.Aşure pişirilen evlerde bolluk olacağına inanılır.

Türkiye / Turkey / Турция / Türkei / Τουρκία /

Törökország / Turchia / Turquia /

In Turkey, wherever you look, you’ll meet plenty of eyes looking at you. Glass evil eye

beads. It is common in the Turkish culture to give a gift of a blue nazar boncuğu(Nazar

Boncuk) or the evil eye bead as it is more widely known. People hang a small evil eye in

their car, keep several small evil eye beads or evil eye charms on hand to give to guests,

hang an evil eye near their door in the home or office. Glass evil eyes are worn, in the form of jewellery; evil

eye bracelet, evil eye anklet, gold or silver evil eye charms and evil eye earrings.

Tea is an important part of the Turkish culture. Offering tea to guests is part of Turkish

hospitality, tea is most often consumed in households, shops and mostly kıraathane, which is

social congregation of Turkish men. Wherever you go in Turkey, tea or coffee will be offered as

a sign of friendship and hospitality, anywhere and any time, before or after any meal. Tea is

drunk from small glasses to enjoy it hot in addition to showing its colour, with cubes of

(Turkish: kesme şeker); beet sugar.

Turkish coffee is a method of preparing coffee. Roasted and then finely ground

coffee beans are boiled in a pot, usually with sugar and served in a cup where the

grounds are allowed to settle. The grounds left after drinking Turkish coffee can

be used for fortune-telling. The cup is commonly turned over into the saucer to

cool, and then the patterns of the coffee grounds can be used for a method

of fortune telling known as tasseography. It is traditionally served with Turkish delight.

Another feature symbolizing the Turkish way of life is the Turkish Baths

("Hamam"). They have a very important place in Turkish daily and historical life

as a result of the emphasis placed upon cleanliness by Islam. Since Medieval times

public bath houses have been built everywhere and they retain an architectural

and historical importance. The Turkish way of bathing in a "hamam" is very

healthy and refreshing.

Nasreddin Hodja is considered a populist philosopher and wise man,remembered for

his funny stories and anecdotes. He appears in thousands of stories, sometimes witty,

sometimes wise, but often, too a fool or the butt of a joke. A Nasreddin story usually has

a subtle humour and a pedagogic nature.Hodja is a title meaning teacher or scholar.

Türkiye / Turkey / Турция / Türkei / Τουρκία /

Törökország / Turchia / Turquia /

The Sacrifice Feast in Turkey is a four-day religious festival. The Sacrifice Feast

traditions in Turkey include sacrificing an animal in a special ritual, visiting relatives

and helping the poor. Many people buy new clothes and prepare some meals during

the Sacrifice Feast Eve in Turkey. Many people also tidy their houses and make

preparations for guests who may wish to stay overnight during the four-day Sacrifice

Feast that follows the Sacrifice Feast Eve. The head of each household may choose a sacrificial animal

(usually a goat, sheep or cow) for the Sacrifice Feast on the eve of the festival. People who wish to visit

relatives in other cities may travel on this day. Visiting the cemetery is also common during the Sacrifice

Feast Eve.

The ceremony held one day before the wedding in the home of bride and groom is

called the henna night. It generally takes place at the girl’s home and among women.

Usually dry henna brought by the bridegroom’s family is broken to pieces in a silver

or copper vessel by a woman whose father and mother alive, not experienced any

separation. After preparing the bride, veil ornamented with red flake is placed over

her head, and she is brought into the middle with hymn and folk songs about henna.

Henna is applied into the bride’s palm. This custom symbolizes being loyal to her new family.

The word Nevruz is a combination of the words “ nev” (new) and “ruz” (day),

meaning new day. According to the Turkish tradition, it is the first day of the year

and regarded as the start of spring. Various ceremonies are performed at this time,

people tidy up their homes and meals prepared and eaten communally on this day.

On Nevruz Day, people lay their tables with an assortment of foodstuffs, play games,

hold festivities, eat painted eggs and prepare large fires and make wishes and jump over it to bring good

luck.

It is one of the oldest and most traditional desserts of the Turkish cuisine. The month

following the Feast of Sacrifice is known as the Aşure month. Plenty of aşure is cooked

in every household during it which is both served to the guests and distributed to the

neighbours and relatives. There were grains, dried fruits and pulses on the vessel such

as figs, nuts, wheat, chickpeas, almonds and apricots which were cooked together with sugar. According to

this tradition aşure represents abundance and good luck.