GREEK CULTURE

 

                                                         

 

Greece is a multi-cultural country of great and diverse interests.  It has been influenced by the Romans, the Ottomans and the Italians and the Germans, during World War II.

 

We are very proud of our culture, religious traditions, music, language, food and wines, which are the major components of culture in both mainland Greece and the Aegean and Ionian Islands.

 

Many people wish to visit Greece, once more, but are restricted due to the coronavirus plague.  Hopefully, thanks to the vaccines, this might be possible by next autumn.

 

Language is one of the most important elements of Greek culture.  The modern Greek language is a descendant of ancient Greek.  The first written Greek was found on baked mud tablets, in the remains of the Knossos palace, in Crete.  Linea A and Linea B are the two most ancient types of written language in Greece.   

 

Greece is a country with a very rich history from the Bronze age to the Classical, to the Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and Modern Greek periods.  The country is also famous for its many renowned citizens and their positive contributions to world culture and civilisation.

Here are more UNESCO World Heritage sites in Greece:

                          The Temple of Appolo Epicurious, in the Peloponnese 

                                             The Archaeological Site at Delphi

                                                         The Parthenon

                                              The Lions' Gate at Mecenae

                                                  Mount Athos Monasteries

                                                     Meteora Monastery

                               Acheropoitos Byzantine Church on Thesssaloniki

                                               The Medieval City of Rhodes

                                            The Archaeological Site of Mystras

                                                         Ancient Olympia                                  

                                                           Ancient Delos

                                     Byzantine Monastery in Daphni, Attica

                                           The Temple of Hera in Samos

                            The Monastery of St. John the Theologian in Patmos 

                                                  The Old Town of Corfu

                              The Ancient Theatre of Philippi in Ancient Thrace

Greece is famous for its archaeological sites, historical monuments and UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Greece is a mountainous peninsular with an impressive 13.676 km of coastline, 2000 islands, of which only 168 are inhabited.  So, Greeks have, naturally, a developed and strong connection with the sea since antiquity.  Greeks have a long tradition in navigation, shipbuilding and maritime trade which led to interconnection with other people.

 

Today, the Christian religion plays an important role in the understanding of daily culture.  98% of the Greeks are Christian Orthodox.  The rest are Roman Catholics, Muslims and Jewish.  Greece and Russia are the only countries to have such a large proportion of Orthodox Christians. 

Greek music has an unbelievable diversity due to eastern and western influences like amanedes and cantades.  Music in Greece has a long history, dating from antiquity, during which, poetry, dancing and music were inseparable and paid an important part in ancient Greek life and culture.

 

Greek Cuisine is famous for its healthy products and the amazing tastes of its food and wines.   Food is an important part of Greek culture and many products are characteristic of Greece such as various kinds of cheese, like Feta, Manouri, anthotyro and others, excellent olive oil, tremendous wines, golden honey, citrus and other delicious fruit and nuts which constitute a strong element of Greek culinary culture.