Greek Culture

Greece

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.

Language

In the 20th century, the Greek language debate took a huge political significance: academics were sacked for using dimotiki, riots were taking place in the streets and a lot of people were claiming that katharevoussa was being used as an instrument of denying access to education to the common people. Nationalist governments like the dictator of the Junta, Ioannis Papadopoulos, favoured katharevoussa. The struggle between the proponents of dimotiki and katharevoussa riased various social attitudes and political positions. The theme was eventually solved in 1976, with actions of the after dictatorship government. Dimotiki language was adopted in education and administration and it has been kept since then as the formal language of modern Greece. The last thing worth mentioning is that most regions in Greece have their local oral dialects, never used as writing means. Every region has of course its local accent.

History During Ottomans Period and Independance War

In 1453 BC, the Ottoman Turks conquered Constantinople and gradually the rest of Greece, which had already partly been dominated by the Venetians and the Knights of Saint John. The country suffered a lot under the Ottoman occupation and frequent rebellions would rise. As these revolutions were unorganized, they were all suspended by the Ottoman army, until March 1821 when the Greek War of Independence broke out. This year is a cornerstone for the history of the country. After many fights, massacres and seizes, the country finally got its freedom in 1829, when the first independent Greek state was formed and Ioannis Kapodistrias, a Greek diplomat in the Russian courtyard, was set as governor. The first Greek state included Peloponnese, Sterea and the Cyclades islands.

History of Twentieth Century  

 After Kapodistrias was assassinated in 1831, prince Otto from Bavaria became the first king of Greece, followed by George I from Denmark in 1863. That time, the Ionian islands were donated to Greece by Britain as a gift to the new king and then Thessaly was attached to the Greek state by the Turks. In the early 20th century, Macedonia, Crete and the Eastern Aegean islands were also attached to the Greek state after the First World War. This was the time when the figure of an important Greek politician raised, Eleftherios Venizelos, the most famous prime-minister of modern history. The year 1922 was troublesome for Greece as many Greek refugees from Asia Minor came to the mainland, part of population exchange with Turkey. Although at first, it was very difficult for the refugees to adapt in their new lives, they gradually contributed a lot in the development of the country. During World War II, Greece resisted a lot the Axis forces, but eventually most of the Greek territory was conquered by the Germans and some parts by the Italians. After the Second World War, the Dodecanese islands, that were still under Italian occupation since the early 20th century, also became part of the Greek state. Three decades of political turmoil followed, including a military junta from 1967 till 1974. Since 1975, the regime of Greece is Parliamentary Republic.

Geography of Greece

It is a peninsular and mountainous country located in Southern-Eastern Europe, in the Balkans peninsula. The country has the largest coastline in Europe (13,676km) due to its numerous islands. Greece has a total of 2,000 Greek islands but only 168 are inhabited. Geography of Greece and its position: The country is washed to the east by the Aegean Sea, to the west by the Ionian and to the south by the Mediterranean Sea. Mountainous landscapes of Greece: Two thirds of the territory is covered with mountains. The highest mountain peak is at Mount Olympus, at an altitude of 2917m. The country is very rich in natural resources providing petroleum, magnetite, lignite, bauxite, hydropower and marble. The geography of Greece has marked the development of many civilizations throughout the ages. The special features of the geography of Greece have formed an equally special natural environment. Greece has a rich diversity in flora and fauna and many species are original in this country, which means that they are found only there in the world. These rare species are found in forests, lakes, rivers, underground caves and canyons. In fact, the limestone and volcanoes of Greece have composited the Greek territory and allowed the formation of many caves and canyons. Our guide proposes information about the natural characteristics of Greece: geography of the country and the Greek islands.

The Greece mainland consists of the following regions: Sterea (Central Greece), Peloponnese, Thessaly (eastcentral), Epirus (north west), Macedonia (north) and Thrace (north west). Also Greece consists of many islands and island complexes: Crete, Cyclades, Dodecanese, Ionian, Sporades, Saronic and Eastern Aegean islands. Peloponnese is the most popular region of mainland Greece. It is located in the southern part of Greece and actually looks like an island connected to the mainland with two bridges: the bridge at the Corinth Canal and the cable bridge of Rio-Antirrio. The inland is dissected by high mountains that extend southwards towards a landscape of fertile plains, pine forested uplands and craggy foothills.

Traditional Foods Specialties and Wines  

Information about the greek food and gastronomical specialties (mezedes, salades, main dishes, soups), herbs and spice and wines and alcohol beverages.

1. Greek Mezedes The mezedes (single: mezes) are appetizers, served before or with the main dishes, usually accompanied with ouzo or tsipouro. They come in small plates. It is one of the basic elements of the Greek culture to share food and wine with friends, in a joyful and unhurried environment.
2. Tzatiki Greek yogurt with finely chopped cucumber, garlic and olive oil. Ideal to eat with fresh Greek bread, fried potatoes or fried meatballs.
3. Saganaki Fried cheese. Different sorts of cheese can be found in saganaki. Excellent with a zest of lemon.
4. Keftedakia Fried meatballs of beef, garlic and bread. Excellent dish.
5. Spanakopitakia Small spinach pies with crushed feta cheese.
6.  Tiropitakia Small cheese pies, usually made of feta or kasseri cheese.
7. Horta Boiled wild greens with olive oil, salt and lemon.
8. Briam Mix of roast potatoes, eggplants, onions, garlic, tomato sauce and olive oil.
9. Dolmadakia Grape leaves filled with rice and onions and sometimes minced beef.
10. Kalamarakia Small pieces of fried squid with lemon juice.
11. Htapodi Small pieces of octopus served either fried with lemon juice or boiled, with olive oil, vinegar and oregano.
12. Feta cheese The famous Greek cheese can also be eaten alone, as a meze, with olive oil and oregano