Mei Generis

Hyvää Joulua!

Καλά Χριστούγεννα!

ΥΓ. Χρόνια πολλά στους Χρήστους και τις Χρύσες!! Το πιάσατε, έτσι;

I entirely sympathize with those of you who are feeling exhausted already and depressed by the darkness. But cheer up! Christmas is coming! The trees will be decorated, the houses will be illuminated, the streets will be packed with shoppers looking for presents and the tourists will be taking pictures with Santa Claus. The whole atmosphere is warm despite the cold artic weather.

The holidays I spent in Rovaniemi are engraved in my memory. Lots of Finnish food, tones of snow, presents and happy faces. This time of year, Finnish houses are given an extra good cleaning in readiness for the season and hours are spent in the kitchen, cooking and baking special treats for the family festivities. Last year I have indulged into Finnish cuisine. Oh, Finnish cuisine! I have only good things to say. Where should I start? And where to end? I have tasted them all: Lanttulaatikko, perunalaatikko, rosolli, lottipatee, poronpaisti, taatelikakku , and tens of piparkakkut accompanied with warm glögi. All delicious and mouth smutching. Additionally, the tradition of Pikkujoulu was indeed interesting and totally new to me. Last year, I attended one of the Kreikan Ystavät Oy where I had been invited.

On the other side of Europe, Greeks greet each other by saying ‘hronia polla’ means many happy years and say ‘ya mas’ = ‘to our health’ with every sip of their wine. On Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day children usually sing carols to the tinkling of triangles. They go from house to house and are rewarded with small gifts. On Christmas Eve, groups of people gather around the holiday table to eat turkey and sweets such as kourambiethes, a Greek nut cookie with white caster sugar on top. At New Year’s Eve, in every household there is a countdown till the clock says 00:00:01 and Greeks eat vasilopita a delicious cinnamon ban which contains a coin. Father usually slices it in pieces and gives it to the members of the family. The one finding the coin is said to be enjoying a magnificent new year filled with good luck. Very few presents are exchanged between friends and family during Christmas. Gift exchanging takes place on January 1st, Saint Vasili’s Day. Fireworks are a common practice but not as big as in Finland.

Season Greetings!