“Kάλαντα” in Greece
What does «κάλαντα» mean;
Τα κάλαντα got their name from the Latin word “calenda”, which means the beginning of the month. In Roman times, relatives and friends celebrated the first days of each month. They visited each other and exchanged sweet delicacies such as honey, figs and dates, but also small coins.
Calanda in Greek tradition
In Greece, calanda have a religious as well as popular character. These songs praise the divine element and praise the faces of the family at the same time. The carols often changed depending on the family that listened to them, its members, their age, social class and their occupation. Each village and island in Greece had its own traditional carols, which contained details from the local community and economy.
Calanda are one of the most “lively” customs of Greek Christmas. They are sung on the day before Christmas & New Year and sometimes on the day of Lights (January 6). Each song is different and narrates different events. The children, in pairs of two or more, start early in the morning with the musical instruments that will accompany their song. The most common is the triangle, but many take guitars, harmonicas or even accordions.
“Shall we say it?”
The children go from house to house in their neighborhoods and ring the bell. They ask “Shall we say it?”. The answer is usually positive, “Say it!”. The children stand at the door or in the living room of the house and sing the carols. When they are done, they wish the hosts “Merry Christmas” and / or “Many happy returns”, and the hosts give them money and sweets, melomakarona and kourabiedes.
Listen to the Christmas calanda below. Every year, beginner students of Hellenic Culture Center learn how to sing the calanda and ask us “but what do they mean?” That’s why we’re translating them for you in English below. You can read the lyrics and sing too!
“Κάλαντα” for Christmas Eve
Listen to Christmas “Κάλαντα»
FAQs
Calanda in Greek tradition
Each village and island in Greece had its own traditional carols, which contained details from the local community and economy. Calanda are one of the most “lively” customs of Greek Christmas. They are sung on the day before Christmas & New Year and sometimes on the day of Lights (January 6).
What is the meaning of Christmas carols? ›
Definitions of Christmas carol. joyful religious song celebrating the birth of Christ. synonyms: carol. type of: religious song.
What is kalanda? ›
Caroling (kalanda) has roots in ancient Greece. Children would carry small boats (Christmas boats or “karavaki” meaning little ship) and sing songs honoring Dionysius. In Ancient Greece the children would praise the head of the household.
What do Greek say at Christmas? ›
Kala Cristouyenna means Merry Christmas and comes from the words kalos (good) and Cristouyenna, a compound noun made of the words Christos (Christ) and yenna (birth).
What is the traditional Greek Christmas sweet? ›
Melomakarona are traditional Greek Christmas cookies made with a combination of olive oil, honey, flour, and spices such as cinnamon and cloves. Kourabiedes are another popular Greek Christmas treat. They are buttery shortbread cookies dusted with powdered sugar.
Which is the oldest Christmas carol? ›
Reportedly, one of the first known Christmas hymns is "Jesus Refulsit Omnium" ("Jesus, Light of All the Nations"), written by St. Hilary of Poitier in the fourth century.
Is Christmas carol in the Bible? ›
The first Christmas carol was taken from the Bible.
'” The lyrics are believed to have been taken from Luke 2:14: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
What is the deeper meaning of the Christmas carol? ›
Although the story is based around an old man, Scrooge, who approaches the twilight of his life, the story can be read as an evocation of childhood. In A Christmas Carol Dickens rekindles the spirit of childhood innocence and joy which jaded older people, exhausted by the trials of life, have lost.
What do they call the Christmas holiday in Greece? ›
Celebrations for the Holiday Season start in Greece on December 25, when Jesus Christ was born, and end on January 6 on Epiphany Day, when Jesus Chris was bapted. The whole period is called Dodekaimero (12 days) as it lasts 12 days.
What is the Greek Christmas folklore? ›
Greek folk tradition has it that little mischievous kallikantzari, hobgoblins in English, would rise from underground to wreak havoc during the 12 days of Christmas. To make them disappear, priests would (and still do) travel to homes on the day of the Epiphany, January 6, and bless them with holy water.
Traditional Greek Christmas decorations include a shallow wooden bowl with a piece of wire suspended across its rim, sprigs of basil wrapped in colourful paper and tied to the tree or front door, as well as the decoration of Christmas boats. Greek Santa (Kalikantzaros) is also popular among children.
What is Santa called Greece? ›
In Greece Santa Claus is known as “Ayios Vassilis”. He is like the father of Christmas, also an old man. with a white beard bringing gifts to children.
