Wednesday 18 December 2013

Traditional Greek carols

On Christmas and New Year's eve, part of the tradition is to sing carols from door to door. The carols are mostly wishes for health, prosperity, good luck and blessing. There are hundreds of different carols from all regions of Greece, both mainland and islands.
In the video that follows we sang a traditional carol from Ikaria island (Agean sea).
The lyrics of this carol are wishes to the master of the house to see his children grow up and be beautiful, successful and all family to be wealthy and happy. In exchange for the good wishes, the singers ask from the householder to treat them with wine ("Valte mas krasi na pioume" = βάλτε μας κρασί να πιουμε...).

Valuable help for rehearsal and performing was our music teacher Thanasis Koulentianos. The traditional musical instrument he has is named Kanun (or Qanun) [see info in: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qanun_(instrument)]

Happy holidays! Καλές γιορτές!

2 comments:

  1. We are familiar with the sound of Kanun.Excellent job! Thank you :)
    Pupils of Saimekadın Primary School

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  2. We like to song a lot. But the music is gorgeous:) Admiring you playing!

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