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STEREOTYPES NEW wor k s hops

BOOKCROSSI NG&L i br ar y CHRI STMASi n10die r e ntc ount r i e s CREATI VEOCCUPATI ONwi t hc hi l dr e n

No.24

t h 1 9 o f De c e mb e r

I NT RO Whe nyouar eyoung,youar edr e ami ngt oc hanget hewor l d.Att hat t i me ,youhe aral lt he s e“ e x pe r i e nc e d”and“ wi s e ”pe opl e ,t r yi ngt oc onv i nc eyout hatt hi si sj us tadr e am,whi c hyou’ l ls t ar tf or ge t t i ngasgr owi ngol de r . T e nye ar sl at e r ,Iam gr owi ngol de r ,andnow,mor et hane v e r ,Iam c e r t ai n f oronet hi ng.Ev e r yoneofus ,i sc apabl et oc hanget hewor l d.Ev e r yone c andot hec hangei nhi ss mal lormor ee x t e nde ds oc i ale nv i r onme nt .I ti s mor et hane nought os pe ndabi tofyourf r e et i me ,t oo e rs ome t hi ngt oa pe r s onne aryou.Some t hi ngwhi c hwi l lo e rhi m/he ras mi l e ,abe t t e r day,ane wi nf or mat i on,al e ar ni nge x pe r i e nc e ,amor ec onﬁde ntf ut ur e … i tc anbewhat e v e r .As mal lc hange ,whi c hwi l lbeas t e pc l os e rt o“ c hangi ngt hewor l d” .I ti sl i k eIc anhe ars omeofyou,s ayi ng… t he s ear ej us tbi g wor dswi t hnome ani ng… Ic anonl yi nv i t eyout ot heY out hCe nt r eofKal amat a,t ome e tt hel oc al andi nt e r nat i onalv ol unt e e r s ,whoar ec hangi ngourwor l d,daybyday. Maybei ti sbe t t e ri ns t e adoft hephi l os ophi c alanal ys i st obr i ngas i mpl e e x ampl e .Oneoft he s ee x ampl e si st heGr e e ks i gnl anguage .Mor et han30 pe opl ehav et heoppor t uni t yt ol e ar ns i gnl anguage ,be c aus e2amaz i ng l adi e sar eo e r i ng2hour soft he i rt i mepe rwe e k( ande v e nmor et opr e par et hel e s s on)t ot e ac ht he mv ol unt ar i l y.Iam s ur et hatt hos e30 pe opl e ,whe nt he ywi l lme e tade afpe r s on,wi l lbeabl et ohav eac hat wi t hhi m/he r ,ore v e nhe l phi m/he rpar t i c i pat ei nac onv e r s at i onorf ol l ow s omene ws … Canyoui magi ne ,howhappy,t hi si nt e r ac t i on,c anmak e s omepe opl e ?Howmor er i c hwewi l lal lbe c omei fwec anac hi e v e ,e qual i t yandi nt e gr at i on,f ore v e r ys i ngl epe r s oni nourl oc als oc i e t i e s .

OR TN I

Fi l a r e t o s Vo u r k o s

NE WWORKS HOP S

TheY out hCe nt e ri sde v e l opi ngal lt het i meandi tpr opos e sal otofac t i v i t i e s .Si nc el as twe e kyouc anj oi nf ourne wwor k s hops :Dani s h,Pol i s h, Engl i s h( advanc ed)and‘ Doi tyour s el f ’ .Dani s handEngl i s har emanage dbyonev ol unt e e r ,Thomas ,whoi sf r om De nmar kands pe ak sbot h l anguage spe r f e c t l y.Att hebe gi nni nghewasal i t t l ebi tdi s appoi nt e dt hat nobodyc amef orhi sﬁr s tDani s hl e s s on,butnowadayshehasal otofs t ude nt ss ot hi sl anguagebe c ome smor eandmor epopul ari nourc e nt e r; ) ThePol i s hl e s s onsar er unbyKas i af r om Pol and.Atﬁr s ts het houghtt hat nobodywoul dbei nt e r e s t e di nt hel anguage ,buts hewaspl e as ant l ys ur pr i s e dt hatt heGr e e kpe opl eat t e nde dhe rl e s s on.‘ Doi tyour s e l f ’i sc onduc t e dbyt hel oc alv ol unt e e r ,At hanas i a.Sheal waysk nowshowt omak e s ome t hi ngf r om not hi ng;e ar r i ngsofL e gobl oc k sorr i ngsf r om ak e yboar d.Shehasal otofgr e ati de asandyouc anr e al l yl e ar nal otf r om he r . T ol e ar nmor eabouthe rwor k s hop,wes ugge s tt hatyour e adhe rar t i c l e onpage11. Y ouc anj oi nt heDani s hwor k s hoponMondaysf r om 19: 00t o20: 00.Engl i s ht ak e spl ac et hes amedayat20: 00unt i l21: 00.OurPol i s ht e ac he ri nv i t e syouf orhe rl e s s onsonWe dne s daysf r om 17: 00unt i l18: 00.At hanas i ahashe rwor k s hoponT ue s daysf r om 19. 30unt i l21: 00. F r om J anuar y,t heY out hCe nt e rofKal amat apl anst oope naphot ogr aphy wor k s hopandhos tmov i eni ght s .Wewi l lwr i t emor eaboutt hi si nt hene x t ne ws l e t t e r .So,f ol l owt heupdat e saboutt heK. A. NE.andj oi nus !

VOL UME2 3

CONTENT

6 8 11 10 11 12 14 16 18 27

Whoar ewe? L i br ar y BookCr os s i ng L i t huani anv ol unt eerRas a L oc alv ol unt eerAt hanas i j a Cr eat i v eoc c upat i onwi t hc hi l dr en L oc alv ol unt eerSer gi o St er eot ypes Chr i s t masi n10c ount r i es Cr e di t s

WHOAREWE ? Hi: )I ’ mF ar hana,I ’ m 21ye ar so l dandI ’ m f r o m TheNe t he r l ands .Imi s smyc o unt r y ( andno . . .no tbe c aus eo ft hedr ugs^ ^ ; ) ,but Ibe gant omi s si tl e s sandl e s swhe nIr e al l y s t ar t e dl i v i nghe r e .Gr e e c ei sv e r yni c e: ) AndIl i k ewo r k i nghe r et o o !Iwo r katt he Y o ut hCe nt e rwi t hKas i a,GabyandRas a, whe r ewemak es ur et hatt heCe nt e rk e e ps r o l l i ng.Be s i de st hi s ,It e ac h‘ Dut c h’e v e r y T ue s dayandr i ghta e rt hi s ,Ial s ope r f o r m l e s s o ns‘ Pr ac t i s eEngl i s hCo nv e r s at i o n’wi t h as mal l gr o upo fpe o pl e .Be s i de st hi sIt r yt o j o i ns o me wo r k s ho psf r o m o t he rpe o pl e , whi c hi ss upe rni c e !Maybes e eyo ut he r e: )

Γ ε ι ασας !Mynamei sTho masAnde r s e n,Iam 23ye ar so l dandIc o mef r o m De nmar k .AsanEVSv o l unt e e rIwo r kwi t hHi e no nt heKANEwe bs i t e ,t hee v s gr e e c e . c o m we bs i t ewhi l eal s obe i ngi nc har ge o fo urF ac e bo o k . Cur r e nt l yI am us ual l yatt heY o ut hCe nt e rf r o m 1016, buti nt hef ut ur eI am ho pi ng t obei nv o l v e di ns o meo ft hewo r k s ho psando t he rpr o j e c t saswe l l . Ge i a,I ' m Hi e nf r o mT o ul o us e ,i nt he s o ut ho fF r anc e .Il i k epho t o gr aphy, di s c o v e r i ngandwat c hi ngbe aut i f ul l ands c ape sf o rho ur s ,do i ngmo v i e s o rs e r i e smar at ho ns , r e adi ngat o no f bo o k s( mo s t l y f ant as y) , pl ayi ng game s( ge e k po wa! ) and l o aﬁng ar o undwi t hmyf r i e nds .Iwi l lwo r k he r ef o ro neye ar( s t i l l10mo nt hs no w)o n a ne w we bs i t e ,bl o g and t e c hno l o gi e s ,s t u l i k et hat .Iwi l l c o nt i nuet heF r e nc hl e s s o nso fVane s s aands t ar tapho t o gr aphygr o up andmaybeIwi l lmak es o mePho t o s ho pl e s s o nsl at e ri nt heye ar ,s oi f t he r ear epe o pl ewhoar ei nt e r e s t e d, bepr e par e d!

Ho l a!My name i sGabr i e l a, I ' m 19ye ar so l dandI ' mf r o m Canar yI s l andi nSpai n.Be f o r e c o mi ngt oKal amat aIﬁni s he d myhi ghs c ho o landbe gant o s t udyps yc ho l o gy.F o urye ar s agoI ﬁni s he dmys t udi e sandI s t ar t e d danc i ng bal l e t and L at i nr hyt hms .Ial s owo r k e d i n die r e nt amat e ur danc e c o mpani e s .I nmyEVSIam a Spani s ht e ac he r and I do danc e and t he at e rf o rc hi l dr e n.Iho peIc an hav ef un l e ar ni ngt heGr e e kc ul t ur eand t hato fmyf e l l o wv o l unt e e r s andme e tpe o pl e ! I ’ mT o ni aandIwasbo r ni nAus t r i a,buti nf ac tI ’ m hal fGr e e k .SoI s pe akabi tGr e e k .I ’ mt hene we s tv o l unt e e ri nt heY o ut hCe nt r eandi t i sapl e as ur ef o rmet opar t i c i pat ei nal l t hedie r e ntwo r k s ho ps .Att he mo me ntI ’ mt hi nk i ngabo utc r e at i ngs o mewo r k s ho psbymys e l f .Il i k e t opl aygui t arandIl i k et he at e r .I ’ ml o o k i ngf o r war dt ome e te v e r ybo dy!

Γ ε ι α!Μελε ν εΛί ν α,I ’ m 20ye ar so l dandf r o mt heno r t ho fGe r many, c l o s et oHambur g.Ial s ol i v e ( d)c l o s e rt ot hes e a,wehav et heNo r t h andt heBal t i cSe a,butt hewat e ratho mei sno tt hatc l o s e …s oKal amat awi ns !Mypr o j e c ti s‘ Env i r o nme nt al F ar mi ng’ .Iwo r katt hef ar m andi nt hepr o j e c t so fMi r t o ,F i f aandhe rf r i e nds-whi c hi st hebe s t t hi ngt hatc o ul dhappe n!

? EWERAOHW

Kal i me r a!Mynamei sKat e r yna.Iam 21ye ar so l d andIam f r o m Uk r ai ne .Iwo r kwi t hc hi l dr e nwi t h aut i s mi n The r ape ut i c alHo r s eRi di ng Ce nt e r .I r e al l ye nj o ymywo r k . I t r ul yf e e l ho no r e dt odomy EVSi nt hi spl ac e .I tgi v e syo uano ppo r t uni t yt o l e ar nGr e e kc ul t ur e ,l anguage ,t ohe l pc o mmuni t y, t oc o mmuni c at ewi t hl o c alpe o pl eand,o fc o ur s e , t oe nj o yunf o r ge t t abl emo me nt swi t ho t he rv o l unt e e r s .F i l ak i a: )

Hi ,mynamei sRas a.Ic ame f r o m L i t huani a and no wI ' m do i ngmy EVSi n Kal amat a.I hav et hr e ewo r k s ho psandal l t he s eac t i v i t i e sar er e l at e dt o ar t s .Ihav et he at r e ,ﬂame nc o andc r e at i v eo c c upat i o nl e s s o ns att heY o ut hCe nt r e .Ir e al l yl i k e my wo r k and al s oI ' m v e r y happyt hatIhav et heo ppo r t uni t yt os t ar tane w wo r k s ho p ( ﬂame nc o )wi t hal o c alv o l unt e e rChr i s a.It hi nkar ti sv e r y i mpo r t antf o re ac hpe r s o n´ sde v e l o pme nt and t hat ´ s why I c ho s et he s eac t i v i t i e st owo r ki n t heY o ut hCe nt r e .T ak ec ar eand s e eyo uatt hel e s s o ns !: )

I ’ m Gul c e ,Iwasbo r ni nT ur k e yandIs pe nt25 ye ar si nT ur k e y.Maybet hat ’ swhyI ’ mT ur k i s h.I wo r katKEKYKAme Af o r5mo nt hsandI ’ mgo i ngt o wo r kt he r e7mo r emo nt hs .I nKEKYKAme AI ’ m t ak i ng par ti nt he at r e ,s i ngi ng,c he s s ,c o o k i ng, danc i ng and c e r ami cc o ur s e s .I ’ m al s o he l pi ng wi t ht het r ans po r at i o no ft heπαι δ ι ά.όλ ακ αλ ά!

Mynamei sSamue l andI ´ mf r o m Spai n, I ´ m 25ye ar so l dandIde c i de dt oc o me t oKal amat at odot hi spr o j e c tbe c aus e i ti sgr e ati de at os har ene we x pe r i e nc e s .Thes i t uat i o ni n Spai ni sal s o v e r yc o mpl i c at e dno w,f o rmet hi si sa gr e atne ws t ar tandaway t oe nr i c h mys e l f . I ’ m Mi c halŠi pe kandI ’ mf r o m Cz e c hRe publ i c . I ’ m 31ye ar so l dandI wo r katt heHo r s eRi di ng t he r apy Ce nt e r wi t h Kat e r yna.Il e ad t he ho r s e s ,pr e par et he mf o rt he r apyandc l e an t he i rbo dyandho o v e s .Ie nj o yi tal o t .I ’ l lbe he r ei nKal amat af o ro neye ar .

I ’ m Kas i aandI ’ mf r o m Po l and.Iam 25ye ar s o l dandIhav eﬁni s he dmys t udi e si nF r e nc h l i t e r at ur e .I ’ m he r ei nGr e e c ef o r9mo nt hst o wo r kasav o l unt e e ri nt heyo ut hc e nt e ri nKal amat a.Iwo ul dl i k et ome e tt hel o c alpe o pl e andwo r kwi t ht he mi ns o mewo r k s ho psand c r e at ee v e nt st o ge t he r .It hi nkt hatwi t ht hi s wo r kIc anbr o ade nmyho r i z o nsandbemo r e o pe nmi nde d.I ’ ms ur et hatI ’ l l r e al l ye nj o ymy s t ayhe r e !

LI BRARY Asyo uk no w,i no urY o ut hCe nt e ryo uc anfindal o to fwo r k s ho ps . Ev e r ybo dyc anfinds o me t hi ngi nt e r e s t i ng:l anguagel e s s o ns , danc e ,t he at r e ,yo ga,e t c .Ho we v e ro urc e nt e re v o l v e se v e r yday andwear ego i ngt os t ar tano t he rpr o j e c t ;al i br ar y.Ourl i br ar yi s no tv e r ybi g,bute v e r ybo dyc anfinds o me t hi ngc ur i o usand bo r r o wbo o k sf o rf r e e .Wec ur r e nt l yhav eal mo s t300t i t l e s !Mo s t o ft hebo o k sar ei nGr e e k ,butyo uc anal s oge ts o meo ft hebo o k s i nf o r e i gnl anguage sl i k e ;Engl i s h,F r e nc h,I t al i anandGe r man.I t i sago o do ppo r t uni t yf o ryo ut os t ar tr e adi ngi nano t he rl anguage ,al anguagewhi c hyo u’ r emi ghtbel e ar ni ngato urCe nt e r . F o rt hev o l unt e e r s ,i ti sapo s s i bi l i t yt obei nt r o duc e dt owr i t t e n Gr e e k .The r ear es o mev e r yf amo usaut ho r sl i k eAgat haChr i s t i e , T e r r yPr at c he t tands o meGr e e kwr i t e r sl i k eΜακ ρόπου λ ος Μι χ άλ ηςo rΜου δα τ σάκ ι ςΤηλέ µαχ ος . Thel i br ar yi so nt hes e c o ndflo o r .T obo r r o wabo o ko rt oas k que s t i o nsabo utf o re x ampl et heaut ho r s ,yo uc angot ot hei nf o po i nt .Ourv o l unt e e r s( Kas i a,Gabi ,Ras a,F ar hanaandT o ni a)wi l l ( wi t has mi l e; )i nt r o duc eyo ut ot hewo r l do fl i t e r at ur e .Y o uc an al s oc he c kt hel i s to ft hebo o k so nt heI nt e r ne t .So …c he c ki to ut !

BOOKCROSSI NG TheY o ut hc e nt e ri sal s os t ar t i ngano t he rpr o j e c tas s o c i at e dwi t h bo o k s .I ti sBo o k Cr o s s i ng,t her e l e as eo fbo o k so rc i r c ul at i o no f bo o k s .Thi sme ans ,t r ans f e r r i ngbo o k sf r e e l ybyl e av i ngt he mi n s pe c i al l ymar k e dpl ac e sf o ranyo net ot ak e ,r e adandl e av eagai n i nt hes ameo rano t he rBo o k Cr o s s i ngl o c at i o n. Bo o k sc anal s obel ei nr ando m pl ac e sl i k et het r am,s t r e e t , s c ho o l ,e t c .Bo o k sc anal s obel ei nc af ĂŠ s ,r e s t aur ant sands ho ps . Us ual l yt hebo o ki sac c o mpani e dbyr e l e v anti nf o r mat i o n,s uc h as ;Hi ,Iam abo o k ,i fyo uwant ,t ak emewi t hyo u.I naddi t i o nt he bo o kc o nt ai nsabr i e fno t eabo utBo o k Cr o s s i ng.Thepe o pl ec ul t i v at i ngt hei de a,e x pl ai nt hatt hebo o k sdono tl i k et obet r appe dat ho meo nt hes he l v e s .The ywantt oc i r c ul at ef r o m handt ohand andber e ad. Thei de awasbo r ni n2001i nt heUni t e dSt at e s .V e r yqui c k l ye mbr ac e d,i te x pande dt hr o ugho utt hewo r l d.I n2009mo r et han 5. 600. 000r e l e as e dbo o k swe r ec i r c ul at i ngar o undt hegl o be . Anyo newhowi s he st opar t i c i pat ei nt hi se v e nts ho ul dr e gi s t e ro n BookCr os s i ng. c om.Me mbe r sc anwat c hwhi c hbo o k sar el e andwhe r et he yar ei nt hewo r l d.TheY o ut hCe nt e rwo ul dl i k et o pr o mo t et hi sc o nc e pti nKal amat aande nc o ur agepe o pl et oj o i ni n o ni tac t i v e l y.Weal r e adyhav eaf e wbo o k sr e gi s t e r e do n Bo o k Cr o s s i ng. c o m.Soj us tc o met ot heY o ut hCe nt e r ,t ak eabo o k , r e adi tandl e av ei ts o me whe r es ot hats o me o nee l s ec ane nj o y t her e ad; )

RASA Iwor ki nt heY out hCe nt r easanas s i s t antt ot het he at r edi r e c t or ,at e ac he r ofF l ame nc odanc eandCr e at i v eOc c upat i onwi t hc hi l dr e n. Cur r e nt l ywear ewor k i ngonape r f or manc ewi t ht het he at r egr oupwhi c h wi l lt ak epl ac ei nApr i l ,i nKal amat a.Thepl ayc al l e d“ Ξυ πν αΒασι λ η” ( “ Wak eup,Vas i l i ! ” )i saboutt hel i f eoft heGr e e kpe opl ei nt he60’ s .Bac k t he nt he r ewe r eal otofc hange si nGr e e c ewhi c hal s oa e c t e de ac hpe r s on i ndi v i dual l y.Themai nc har ac t e r ,Vas i l i s ,l e hi smot he rands i s t e rbac ki n t he i rv i l l ageandt r av e l l e dt ot hebi gc i t y.Hes t ar t e dt opubl i s hbook s .Howe v e r ,t he s ec hange sdi dnotmak eanyc hange st ohi spe r s onal i t y.Hes t i l l wasac ons e r v at i v eman,t r yi ngt owi nt hel ot t e r y,al t houghwi t houtl uc k . Some t i me shec oul dnotunde r s t andhi sf r i e ndManoswhowasac ommuni s t andwant e ds omec hange si nGr e e c e . OnedayVas i l i smot he randSi s t e rDi nac amet ot own.Di naf e l li nl ov ewi t h Manos .Thes e r v antwhowaswor k i ngi nt heo c ewi t hVas i l i suns uc c e s s f ul l yt r i e dt oge tt oge t he rwi t hVas i l i s .Ands udde nl y,Manoswont hel ot t e r y andmar r i e dDi na.Al lt he s ec hange sandf ai l ur e st r yi ngt owi nt hel ot t e r y andt ohav eabe t t e rl i f ei nﬂue nc e dVas i l i sal ot .Hebe c amec r az y.Vas i l i s s t ar t e dt ot hi nkt hathewasar oos t e rands t ar t e dc huc k l i ngi nt hepubl i c .He c oul dnotc ont r olhi ms e l fs ohi sr e l at i v e st ookhi mt oamadhous e . Thes t or yi sat r age dyandc ome dyatt hes amet i me .Ir e al l yl i k et hi ss t or y andIi nv i t ee v e r yonet oc omeandwat c hi ti nApr i l ! Be s i de st he at r eIhav eF l ame nc oandCr e at i v eOc c upat i onl e s s ons .Idonot hav eaf av our i t ewor k s hop,be ac aus eIl i k ee v e r yt hi ngIdoi nt heY out h Ce nt r e . Unt i lnowIhav el i v e di nKal amat af ort womont hs .Ir e al l yl i k eGr e e c e( I hav ehadanoppor t uni t yt ot r av e lal i t t l ebi t ) .Iam v e r yhappyt hatIde c i de d t ov ol unt e e ri nGr e e c ef oral ongt e r m andIdontt hi nkIwi l lr e gr e ti t: )

ATHANASI J A H e l l oe v e rybody! ! ! Mynamei sAt hanas i aandIam 31ye ar sol d.Il i v ei nt hebe aut i f ulc i t yofKal amat a.Whe nIﬁni s he dmys t udi e sIwe ntt oSpai nasanEVSv ol unt e e rs oI k nowt heEVSpr ogr am v e r ywe l l .Is t ar t e dt owor ki nt heKANEor gani z at i on5 ye ar sago. I t hi nkt hatt heY out hCe nt e ri si nc r e di bl yus e f ul f ort hes oc i e t yofKal amat a,notonl yf ort heyoung,butal s of ort hel i t t l el e s syoung,l i k eme … He he he … Iwor kasav ol unt e e rhe r eandIam doi ngmanyi nt e r e s t i ngt hi ngs .F i r s tofal l ,I am l e ar ni ngSpani s hwi t hv ol unt e e rGabif r om L asCanar i asandIam al s opar t i c i pat i ngi nt hewor k s hopofc r e at i v ewr i t i ngwi t hl oc alv ol unt e e rVi l l y.Apar t f r om t hi sIal s opar t i c i pat ei nt hec r e at i v ewor k s hopf orc hi l dr e nc ol l abor at i ng wi t h5ot he rv ol unt e e r s :Sot e r i aandPanagi ot af r om Gr e e c e ,Kat ar z ynaf r om Pol and,Gabi f r om Spai nandRas af r om L i t huani a.L as tbutnotl e as t ,Is t ar t e da ne wc r e at i v ewor k s hop f orpe opl ewho wantt oe x pr e s st he i ri magi nat i on t hr oughc r e at i v i t y.I ti sbas e dont hec ons t r uc t i onofv ar i ousobj e c t sofoure v e r ydayl i v e s . Asac onc l us i onIwantt oaddt hate v e r yye art henumbe rofpar t i c i pant sand v ol unt e e r si nt heY out hCe nt e ri nc r e as e s .Mor eandmor ear et ak i ngpar ti nt he c e nt e randt hati ss ome t hi ngt hatpl e as e smev e r ymuc h,notonl ybe c aus et hi s i sv e r ybe ne ﬁc i al f ormyt own, butal s obe c aus et heyoungpe opl ebe gi nt owi de n t he i rhor i z ons .F ort hi sr e as on,t hec i t yaut hor i t i e ss houl dhe l pasmuc haspos s i bl ewi t hk e e pi ngt heY out hCe nt e rr unni ng!

C R E A T I V E OC C UP A T I ON

Cr e at i v eoc c upat i onwi t hc hi l dr e ni st heonl ywor k s hopweo e rf ort he k i ds .Wehav ear ound16c hi l dr e n;6boysand10gi r l sofdie r e ntage s ; f r om 5t o10ye ar sol d.Ourl oc alv ol unt e e r s ;At hanas i a,Panagi ot aand Sot i r i aandi nt e r nat i onalv ol unt e e r s ;Kas i a,Ras aandGabyar er e s pons i bl ef orc ont r ol l i ngt hi ss i z e abl ec r owd; )Some t i me si ti squi t edic ul t be c aus et hek i dsar eofdie r e ntage sandt he yar ev e r yac t i v e ,butt he gi r l shav es omet r i c k st ot amet he m.Dur i ngt hi swor k s hopt hek i dsar e pai nt i ng,mak i ngďŹ gur e sofpl as t i c i ne( ak i ndofc l aymadef r om s al t ) , pl ayi ngal otofgame sandpr ac t i c es i ngi ng.

NO I T A PU C CO E V I T A E R C

Thegi r l swantt ode v e l opt he i ri magi nat i onandwi de nt he i rhor i z ons . Theyoungs t e r ss pe ndt het i met hemos tc r e at i v e l yasi ti spos s i bl e .I n De c e mbe rt hek i dsar egoi ngt opr e par es omeChr i s t masde c or at i ons andwehopet hatwewi l lbeabl et ous es omeoft he mf ort heY out h Ce nt e r .Webe l i e v et hatt hek i dse nj oyt hi swor k s hopandhav ef un.We woul dl i k et opr e s e ntt oyous omepi c t ur e soft he i rdie r e ntmas t e r pi e c e s .

SERGI O How di dyougett oknow aboutt heYout hCent er ?Whydi d youdec i det ogot her e? He l l o ,mynamei sSe r gi oandIam l i v i ngi nKal amat a.Ihav e be e ns t udyi ngi nano t he rt o wnc al l e dL ami aandt he r ewasa Y o ut hCe nt e r ,butt he r ewasno tasmanywo r k s ho psast he r ear e he r e .Whe nIar r i v e di nKal amat aIwasi nt e r e s t e dt oﬁnds o me t hi ngl i k et hat .Igo tt ok no wabo utt heY o ut hCe nt e rf r o m af r i e nd whot o l dmet hati nKal amat at he r ee x i s t st hi sk i ndo fo r gani z at i o n.Iwant e dt os t ar tSpani s hl e s s o ns ,butatt hebe gi nni ng t he r ewasno taSpani s ht e ac he rbe c aus eGabic amea e randI de c i de dt oj o i nano t he rwo r k s ho p. Whi c hwor ks hopsar eyouat t endi ng?Whi c honei syourf avour i t eandwhy? F i r s tIat t e nde ds i gnl anguage ,butunf o r t unat e l yIhadt owo r ka l o tandIc o ul dn’ tat t e ndt hi swo r k s ho p.Ho we v e rIl o v edanc i ng andIf o unds o me t hi ngf o rmel at e r .Thet ango ,l at i n-andt het r adi t i o nalGr e e kdanc ewo r k s ho psar epe r f e c tf o rmeandI ’ m at t e ndi ngt he s ewo r k s ho pse v e r ywe e kwi t hpl e as ur e .Whi c ho nei s myf av o r i t e ?Hmmm… It hi nki ti st het angol e s s o nsbe c aus ei ti s apas s i o nat edanc eandIam v e r yr o mant i cs oi ti spe r f e c tf o rme

O IGRES Youar eal s ot hement orofoneoft hef or ei gnvol unt eer s . How doyouf eeli nt hi snew r ol e? Ir e al l ywant e dt obeame nt o ro faf o r e i gnv o l unt e e r ,be c aus eI k no who wi ti st obeaf o r e i gnpe r s o ni nano t he rc o unt r y,whe n yo udono tk no wanyo nebe c aus eIam f r o mo r i gi nal l yAr me ni a andi nt hebe gi nni ngi twasv e r ydic ul tf o rmet oďŹ ndhappi ne s s i nGr e e c e .Iam ame nt o ro ft hePo l i s hv o l unt e e randIam v e r y pr o udo ft hi sbe c aus eIc anhe l phe ri nc as es hehasapr o bl e m, s hewant st os pe akEngl i s ho rj us tf o rgof o rac upo fc oe e . Doyout hi nkt hatt heYout hCent eri si mpor t anti nt hel i f e ofKal amat aorar et her es omanyot herc ul t ur alc ent er s whi c hpr opos emor et hi ngst odoandourc ent erdoesnot addanyt hi ngnew? It hi nkt hatt heY o ut hCe nt e ri sv e r yi mpo r t antf o rKal amat a,be c aus ei to e r sal o to fwo r k s ho psf o rt hepe o pl e .The yc ande v e l o p t he i rho bbi e sf o rf r e eandt he yc anme e to t he rpe o pl ewhos har e t hes amepas s i o nsast he ms e l v e s .Thel o c almuni c i pal i t ys ho ul d he l pďŹ nanc i ngt heCe nt e rs ot he yc anbuyo t he rpr o duc t swhi c h wo ul dmak ei tpo s s i bl et opr e par edie r e ntandne wwo r k s ho ps . Thi sc e nt e ri sal s oi mpo r t antbe c aus ei tal l o wst hepo s s i bi l i t yt o i nt e gr at et hel o c alpe o pl ewi t ht hei nt e r nat i o nalv o l unt e e r s ,s har e i de asands pe akEngl i s handGr e e k .

STEREOTYPES Wear ef r om t e ndie r e ntc ount r i e s :Spai n,Hol l and,T ur k e y,Pol and,F r anc e ,Ukr ai ne ,Cz e c h Re publ i c ,L i t huani a,De nmar kandGe r manyandwede c i de dt oc he c kwhatt heGr e e kpe opl e t hi nkaboutourc ount r i e s ,whi c hi maget he yhav eaboutourc ount r i e sandwhi c hs t e r e ot ype s . Wede c i de dt ogoi nt hes t r e e tandi nt e r v i e wt hel oc alpe opl e .I twasdi c ul tbe c aus eal otof t he m,di dn’ ts pe akEngl i s hort he ydi dn’ twantt o.Howe v e rs ome t i me sours mi l ewass oc onv i nc i ngt hatwef oundf ourpe opl ewhoagr e e dt os pe akwi t hus :L e yPs yc hogi ouf r om books hop,t hes al e s womanf r om t hes hoes hop,Ki r k osf r om t heI ndi ans hopandL e oni dasf r om t he books t or e . F i r s t l yweas k e daboutF r anc e .The yt ol dust hatF r e nc hpe opl edon’ ts pe akEngl i s h.The y don’ ts pe ndal otofmone y,t he yar eupt i ghtandwhe nt he yc omet ot hes hopt he ydon’ ts ay e v e ns ay“ goodmor ni ng”or“ goodbye ” .Soi nge ne r al ,t he yar enotv e r ypopul ar .Ki r k os adde dt hatt he yar es nobandanx i ous .The yr unal otwi t houtr e as on.Butt he yar ee l e gant andt he yhav eabi ghi s t or ywi t hal otoff amouspoe t sandpai nt e r s . Se c ondl y,weas k e daboutPol and.Mos toft he mc l ai me dt hatPol i s hpe opl ear ef r i e ndl yand ni c e .Al otoft he m wor khe r ei nt heGr e e khous e sandl ooka e rt heol dpe opl e .The yar ev e r y pol i t eandhone s t .Ac c or di ngt ot hes al e s woman,t he ybuyal otofs hoe s; )L e oni dast ol dt hat t he yhav ehi ghe duc at i onandl ov ear t .I naddi t i ont he yar eope nandt he yhav ebe aut i f ul wome n.L e ya r me dt hatt he ywor kal ldayi nGr e e c e ,butt he ys e ndt hemone yt oPol and. The ys ayt hati nPol andt hes i t uat i oni sbe t t e r ,butt he ypr e f e rs t ayi ngi nGr e e c e .The yhav e whi t es ki nandr e dc he e ks; )Pe r hapsbe c aus ef r om dr i nki ngal c ohol ,be c aus eKi r k ost ol dus t hatt he ydr i nkal otofv odka.Headde dt hatt heyoungPol i s hwantt opr ogr e s s ,butbe t we e n t he mt he r ei sabi ghol ebe t we e npoorandr i c h. Thi r dl ywei nqui r e daboutT ur k e y.Ki r k oss ai dt hati ti st hec ount r yoft wor e l i gi onsandont he onehandwehav et r adi t i onalMus l i msandont hes e c ondhandt hepe opl ev e r yl i be r al ,t he wome ni nv e r ys hor ts ki r t s .I ti sac ount r yofc ont r adi c t i onwhe r eweme e tEur ope anand As i anc ul t ur e .Hec l ai me dt hatt he ywantt obeknownandf amousi nt hewor l dbe c aus et he y hav eas t r ongnat i on.Ac c or di ngt oL e oni das ,t he yar ef r i e ndl yandni c e ,l ooka e raboutt he t our i s t swhoc omet he r ebe c aus ei ti sc he ap.Howe v e r ,t he ydon’ tpr ogr e s sanddon’ ts pe nda l otofmone yf ore duc at i onandf ors c hool s .Thes al e s wome nf r om t hes hoes hopt ol dust hat Gr e e kpe opl ege ne r al l ydon’ tl i k eT ur ki s hpe opl ebe c aus eofhi s t or y.I nge ne r alt he i rr e l at i ons hi psar enotv e r yc l os e . Ourf our t hc ount r ywasSpai n.Ge ne r al l yGr e e ks ai dt hatt heSpani s hpe opl ear ev e r yni c eand t wonat i onsl i k ee ac hot he r .The yhav eal otoft hi ngsc ommonwi t hGr e e kf ore x ampl et he y ar ei mpul s i v eandpas s i onat eandt he yhav et hes omeﬁnanc i alpr obl e msl i k ei nGr e e c e ,s o t hatt her e as ont hatt he ydon’ tc omet oourhos tc ount r yv e r yo e n.ButKi r k osi ns e r t e dt hat t he i rpol i t i c i ansar ebe t t e randt he yc ar emor eaboutt he i rc i t i z e ns .Headde dt hatSpai ni s at t ac he dt oc or r i daandi thasabi gi ndus t r yandagr i c ul t ur e .Thi sc ount r yi sv e r ypos i t i v eand at t r ac t sal otoft our i s t swhowantt ol e ar nSpani s hwhi c hbe c ome sv e r ypopul arl anguage .

SEPYTOERETS Wepos e dal s ot heque s t i onaboutF ar hana’ sc ount r y,t heNe t he r l ands .Ev e r ybodyc l ai me d t hatDut c hpe opl ear eope nmi nde d,f r e eands mi l e .Ac c or di ngt ot hes al e s woman,t he yar e v e r ygoodpe opl e ,buyal otofs hoe s ,s ay“ he l l o”andl i k et al ki ngwi t hl oc alhabi t ant s .L e ondi asadde dt he yi ti sas mal lc ount r ywhi c hhasv e r yl i be r all awanddie r e ntwayoft hel i f e s t yl e .Ev e r ybodyi sc l os et oe ac hot he rande s pe c i al l y,t he yhav egoodf oot bal l e r sandof c our s ei ti sac ount r yofbi c yc l e s .Ki r k osappe nde dt hatt he yar ev e r yadv anc e doft e c hnol ogy ande v e ni ti snotabi gc ount r y,t he yknowhowt oe ar nmone yf r om s e xi ndus t r y; )The yar e we l lor gani z e dandbyt heanc i e ntc ol oni e s ,t heDut c har eknowni nt hewhol ewor l d. Theot he rc ount r i e sar enotv e r yknownbyGr e e kandt he yc oul dn’ ts ayal otaboutt he m.We pr e s e ntonl yf e wopi ni onsofKi r k osandL e oni das . Ac c or di ngt oKi r k os ,Ukr ai nei sde s t r oye dbyc ommuni s m.Be f or et he ywe r ei s ol at e dbut nowadayst he yar emor eope n.The yar epoorbutt he yar epr oudoft he i rc ount r yandoft he i r hi s t or y.L e oni dasac c or de dUkr ai net oRus s i aandhec l ai me dt hatt he yar es i mi l art oPol i s h pe opl ebe c aus eoft r adi t i onandc ol dwe at he r .The yar ev e r yni c eandhav et hehi ghl e v e lof e duc at i onandobv i ous l ybe aut i f ulSl av i cwome n; ) Thebot hme nt ol dust hati nL i t huani a,t he r ei sv e r yf amousbas k e t bal lt e am.Be f or eL i t huani answe r eac c or di ngt oRus s i abutnowadayst he yar ef r e eandt he ymadeabi gs t e pt oi mpr ov et he i rl i f e ,e s pe c i al l yi ns oc i e t y,c ul t ur e ,s t udi e sandt e c hnol ogy( f r e eI nt e r ne t ) . F orourr e s ponde nt sDe nmar ki sv e r yni c ec ount r y.The yhav eal otofs oc i alas s i s t anc e sf or e v e r yone .Ki r k osandL e oni dasadde dt hatt heDani s har egoode x ampl et of ol l owbyanot he r c ount r i e si nt e c hnol ogy,r e c yc l i ngands ol are ne r gy.L e yt ol dt hatt he yl i k eGe r mansand t he yar ev e r ys t r i c t .Howe v e rL e oni dass ai dal s ot hatt he yar ec ol dandr ac i s tf orMus l i m pe opl e . Cz e c hRe publ i ci sf amousf r om t hebe s twome n,be e r ,F r anzKa a,at mos phe r ei nPr agueand f ai r yt al e s .TheCz e c hpe opl ek e e pt he i rt r adi t i on,hi s t or y.The yar epr oudoft he i rol dbui l di ng andc as t l e showe v e rt he yar enott hepowe rofe c onomy. Ourl as tc ount r ywasGe r many.F orL e oni das ,Ge r manyi st hec ount r yofpr ogr e s sandgood e c onomy.The yar ev e r ymot i v at e dandt he yknowhowt oac hi e v et he i rai m be c aus et he yar e we l l or gani z e dl i k emac hi ne s .The yar ec ol dpe opl ebutt he i ri ndus t r yi sv e r yde v e l ope dand t he i rc ar sar ev e r ygoodqual i t y.Ki r k osagr e e dwi t hhi m andadde dt hatt heGe r manshav ea l otofmone ys ot he yc ant r av e lal otandt he yc anbuyt hehous e si nanot he rc ount r i e s .He c l ai me dt hatt he ys houl dbemor ehumanbe c aus et he yar ehar d,notv e r ys e ns i bl eandi n ge ne r al l yt he ydon’ ts pe akal ot . Summi ngupouri nt e r v i e w,wec ange tt oknowal otaboutourc ount r i e sandhowanot he r nat i onss e eus .Some t i me si ti sf unnyf orus ,s ome t i me sv e r ys ad.F ort heGr e e kpe opl e ….I f youwantr e al l ys e ehowwear e ,c omet ot heYout hCe nt e randwec ans howyout hats ome t i me syouar ei nmi s t ak eandwec ant r yt obr e akt hes t e r e ot ype; )

CHRI STMAS Cz e c hRe publ i c(Michal)

Chr i s t masi nCz e c hRe publ i ci sus ual l yv e r ybus y.Pe opl er us hi ngt ot hes hops ,pus hi ngandpr e s s i ngt he ms e l v e sandal lar oundyouc anhe arChr i s t mass ongs .Some t i me swehav es nowont hes t r e e t sandi ti sv e r ybe aut i f ul .Ont hes quar e swehav e Chr i s t masmar k e t sandyouc anbuyanyt hi ngi magi nabl e .I ti sv e r yni c eandIl i k ei t al ot .Thear omaofboi l e dwi newi t hc l ov eandbac k e dc he s t nut sc anbes me l te v e r ywhe r e .Y ouc anal s obuyl i v i ngc ar psi naquar i umswhi c har el oc at e di nt hes t r e e t s . Myf ami l yi st r adi t i onalandat t ac he dt ohabi t s .F orChr i s t mase v e r yonemus tbe t oge t he ronChr i s t masEv eandnobodyc anl e av et het abl ebe f or efini s hi ngt he i r di nne r .TheChr i s t masdi nne rc ont ai nsfis hs oupandpot at os al adwi t hf r i e dfis h. Ae rt hemai ndi s hwehav ede s s e r t .The nweunpac kourgisandwhe nmi dni ght appr oac he sal otofpe opl egot ot hec hur c hf ormi dni ghtmas s: )

Spai n(Samuel)

He l l omynamei sSamue l .Iam f r om t heCanar yI s l ands( Spai n)andnor mal l yat Chr i s t maswehav e3i mpor t antdays .Oneoft he mi st he24t hofDe c e mbe rni ght , be c aus ewehav eagr e atdi nne rwi t hal lt hef ami l yandal s oi ti st heni ghtwhe n Sant aCl ausbr i ngst hepr e s e nt sf ore v e r ybody; )Al s omyf ami l ymak e sabi gl unc h ont he25t hofDe c e mbe rbutIdon´ tk nowwhatot he rf ami l i e sdoe sont hi sday. Thes e c ondi mpor t antdayi sNe wY e arEv e .Ev e r yonec e l e br at e st hatdaywi t h hi s /he rf ami l yanda e r war ds ,e v e r yonegoe soutt opar t y.F i nal l ywehav et he6t h ofJ anuar y,i ti sanot he rdayt ogi v egisandr e c e i v egis .Thi sonei smor ei mpor t antbe c aus et het hr e emagi ck i ngsbr i ngal otofpr e s e nt st ot hepe opl e .The i r name sar eMe l c hor ,Gas parandBal t as ar ,t hel as tonei sbl ac k .A e rt hatday,Chr i s t masi sov e r ,s oi ti sal i t t l ebi tofac ons ume r i s thol i day.

De nmar k(Thomas) Χρι στ ού γε ν ν αστ η∆αν ί α

SoI ,l i k et heot he rv ol unt e e r s ,hav ebe e nt as k e dt ode s c r i beChr i s t masi nmyhome c ount r y.Hope f ul l yIc ange tt hr ought hi swi t houtge t t i ngt ohome s i c k ! I nDe nmar kt he r ear es e v e r alt r adi t i ons ,s omebe i ngk e ptal i v ebys omef ami l i e s ,

SAMTS IRHC ot he r snots omuc h.Iwi l lk e e pt owhatmyf ami l ydoe sf orChr i s t mas .Chr i s t mas s t ar t si nt hee ndofNov e mbe r ,pr e par i ngf ort hede c or at i ons ,buyi ngs we e t s ,c andy, s t c e mbe rwel i ghtabi gc andl ewi t h dr i e df r ui tandot he rde l i c ac i e s !F r om t he1 ofDe 24numbe r soni tasac ount downf orChr i s t masEv e ,weal s ohav e4Adv e ntc andl e s t hatwel i ghte v e r ySunday.Thewe e kbe f or eChr i s t masEv ewegoouti nt hewoods andc utourownChr i s t mast r e e ,t ypi c al l ywegowi t ht hee nt i r ef ami l yt omak eat r i p outofi t ,andass oonwege ti thomewede c or at ei twi t hChr i s t masgl as sbal l s ,c ane ns t art hatwehav ebe e nus i ngasl ongasIr e dl e sandt hi sr e al l yol d,hal f br ok me mbe r ! The24thi st heac t ualChr i s t masdayi nDe nmar kandt hedayi sus ual l ys pe nti nt he k i t c he n,pr e par i ngf ort hee v e ni ngsf e as t !Weal wayshav er oas tduc k ,pot at oe sand br ownpot at oe s( whi c hi spot at oe sgl as s e di nhone y) ,boi l e dr e dc abbageands ome s al adt hatv ar i e sf r om ye art oye ar .Ther oas tduc ki st hebi gt i met ak e rofal lt he di s he ss oa e ri thasbe e nputi nt heov e nweus ual l ygot oc hur c h.Al otofDane sgo t oc hur c hdur i ngChr i s t mas ,nots omuc hbe c aus et he yar er e l i gi ous ,butmor ebe c aus ei ti sar e al l yni c ee x pe r i e nc eonChr i s t masEv e .A e rt hatwes har eourChr i s t masdi nne randr e l axbe f or eweul t i mat e l yope nourpr e s e nt s .Thi st ypi c al l yhappe ns v e r yl at ei nt hee v e ni ng;be c aus ewewanti tt ol as tasl ongaspos s i bl e( Ius e dt o hat ewai t i ngasak i d! ) .Thati st hev e r ys hor tv e r s i onofmyDani s hChr i s t mas .I nd r d i s t mas ,butIam r unni ngoutofs pac e . c oul dgoonaboutt he2 and3 dayofChr Me r r yChr i s t mas !

L i t huani a(Rasa)

Chr i s t masi nL i t huani ai soneoft hemos ti mpor t antdaysoft heye ar .I ti sar e l i gi ous c e l e br at i on,bute v e r yonec e l e br at e si t . Pe opl es t ar tt opr e par ef orChr i s t masaboutt hr e ewe e k si nadv anc e .At r adi t i oni n L i t huani ai st obuyar e alChr i s t mast r e e ,notapl as t i cone .I ti sus ual l yde c or at e d t wowe e k sbe f or et heChr i s t mas ;howe v e ri nmyf ami l yweus ual l ydoi tont heday be f or eChr i s t masont he24t hofDe c e mbe r .Thi sdayi sal s ov e r yi mpor t antand L i t huani ansc e l e br at ei t . Thedayi sr e l at e dt oChr i s t masbe c aus eJ e s uswasbor natmi dni ght .I nt hee v e ni ng

CHRI STMAS oft he24t hofDe c e mbe r ,al lt hef ami l i e sc omet oge t he rt oc e l e br at ei t .I ti sat r adi t i ont ohav e12die r e ntme al s .The s edi s he sc annotc ont ai nme atormi l k .Us ual l y myf ami l ymak e ss omes al adsf r om c ar r ot sorbe e t r ootwi t hhe r r i ng,mu nswi t h mus hr oomsi ns i de ,agl as sof“ pi t c he r”whi c hi sadr i nkmadef r om c r anbe r r i e s .We al s ohav es omes pe c i almu nswhi c har eonl yf orChr i s t mas .The yar emadef r om ﬂourandpoppi e s .Weal s oputabr anc hofj uni pe ront het abl e . I nmyf ami l ySant aCl ausc ome sa e rt hedi nne r .Nobodyhase v e rs e e nhi m,be c aus ehec ome st hr ought hel oc koft hek e yort hewi ndowandhel e av e st he pr e s e nt sunde rt heChr i s t mast r e e .Some t i me sSant aal s ol e av e ss omegisi nt he mor ni ngofChr i s t masday.I nL i t huani aSant aCl aus ,wec al lhi m Chr i s t mas Gr andpa,onl ygi v e spr e s e nt st ot hepe opl ewhohav ebe hav e dgood. Thet wodaysofChr i s t masi sus ual l yc e l e br at e dwi t hr e l at i v e sands omec l os e f r i e ndsathome .Howe v e rc hi l dr e no e ngos k i i ngbe c aus et he r ei sus ual l yal otof s nowi nDe c e mbe r .Y oungs t e r sl i k et opl ayi nt hes nowandt hr ows nowbal l sate ac h ot he r . Il i k eChr i s t masbe c aus ei ti st het i meofye arwhe nal lofmyr e l at i v e sge tt oge t he r . Andal s obe c aus eIge ts omepr e s e nt s ,ofc our s e: ) : ) : )

Ge r many(Lina) We i hnac ht e ni nDe ut s c hl and

Si nc eChr i s t masi ss e c r e t l yonl yaboutf oodI ’ m goi ngt oe x pl ai nmyGe r manChr i s t mast i measame nuf oryou: Thewe l c omi ngc hampagnei st het r e epur c has eatt he23r ds i nc emyf ami l yne v e r hadbe e nabi gf anofe ar l yde c or at i ng.Andt het r e ei sabi gde c i s i on!Butnor mal l y mymum andIgi v emyf at he rt hef e e l i nghehadas ay,t he ns moot hl yt al khi m ov e r , whi l emygr andmai swai t i ngi nt hewar mc ar .Thea e r noonoft he24t hi st heappe t i z e rofourme alwhe nmymot he randIde c or at et het r e eandfini s ht hehous e .The n wege tdr e s s e d,whi l emyf at he ri spr e par i ngt hef ood:t r out( πέ στ ροφα) ,whi c hi s c ook e dfis hwi t hpot at oe sandbut t e rs auc e .Thefir s tandal s omos ti mpor t antmai n di s hc ome sa e rt hat :Unwr appi ngt hepr e s e nt s ,s omes i ngi ng( mymot he ri sv e r y t al e nt e dandweal waysf or c ehe rt o)e at i ngc ook i e sandc hur c h.Be c aus eGe r mans

SAMTS IRHC got oc hur c hatChr i s t mas ,e v e ni ft he yar enotr e l i gi ous .Andt hec hur c hi ss ohappy aboutt hatf ac tt hatt he yo e rabi gv ar i e t yofs e r v i c e s :Si ngi ngs e r v i c e s ,f ami l y s e r v i c e s( t hatmos toft het i me si nc l udeapl ayoft hehol yni ght ) ,s e r v i c e swi t hno t al k i ng,s e r v i c e swi t habi gc hoi r ,s e r v i c e st hati nc l udej ok e s ,s e r i ouss e r v i c e s ,s e r v i c e swi t hl ot sofc andl e s ,s e r v i c e swi t hf ood… Si nc eIs i ngi nt hegos pe lc hoi rwev i s i t t he“ Mi t t e r nac ht s Me s s e ” ,t hemi dni ghtmas s . Att he24t hmyf at he rc ook sduc korgoos e ,pr e par e di nt heov e n.A e rt hatwec ome t oge t he rf ort hes e c ondmai ndi s h:Atmybe s tf r i e nd’ shous e ,e atmor ec ook i e sand e x c hangemor epr e s e nt s . Thet hi r ddi s hi st hef ami l ygat he r i ngatmygr andma’ shous eatt he25t h.Wi t hmy ot he rgr andmawedr i v edownt hewayt oBr e me r hav e nandme e tal lmymot he r ’ s s i def ami l y.Theﬁnalde s e r ti st womor edaysatmygr andma’ shous ewhe r ewege t s poi l e dwi t hf oodandt r e at sands hoppi ng… Καλ ήΌρε ξ η!

Uk r ai ne(Katia)

Chr i s t masi nUk r ai nei sc e l e br at e dont he7t hofJ anuar yac c or di ngt ot heGr e gor i an c al e ndarasi nmos tot he rOr t hodo xChr i s t i anc ount r i e s . I nmos tpar t sofUk r ai nepe opl ec r e at es oc al l e d‘ V e r t e p’onChr i s t masEv e .The s e ar es howc as e sf r om t heBi bl epi c t ur i ngt hebi r t hofJ e s us .The ys howt hebabyJ e s us i namange r ,Mar y,s t r ange r so e r i ngt he i rgisandt hes hi ni ngs t arofBe t l e he m. Thos ev e r t e psar ee x hi bi t e datpubl i cpl ac e s ,us ual l yne arori ns i dec hur c he s .At ni ghtc andl e sar el i ti ns i dev e r t e pss ope opl ewhoc omet oc hur c hf ort heni ghts e r v i c e sc anobs e r v et he m. Chr i s t masEv ei sc al l e d‘ Sv i at yV e c hi r ’( Hol yEv e ni ng)i nUk r ai ne ,buts ome t i me s al s oc al l e d‘ Sv i at aV e c he r i a’( Hol ySuppe r ) .Pe opl eus ual l yc ooks omet as t yf oodf or t hi se v e ni ng.The r es houl dbeatl e as t12die r e ntdi s he sont het abl e .Somear e mandat or yi nc l udi ng‘ Kut i a’-t her i t ualf oodwhi c hi spr e par e df r om c ook e dwhe at ands pe c i als yr upc ont ai ni ngdi l ut e dhone y,gr at e dpoppys e e ds ,r ai s i nsands ome t i me swal nut s . F ort hi se v e ni ngpe opl ede c or at eChr i s t mast r e e si nt he i rhous e s .Anot he rt r adi t i on e x i s t si ns omer e gi onsoft hewe s t e r npar tofUk r ai net ode c or at et het abl ewi t h

CHRI STMAS ‘ Di duk h’-as he afofoat sorwhe atwi t hf ourl e gsandnume r ousl i t t l ebundl e s .I t s ymbol i z e spr os pe r i t yf ort hene x tye ar . St .Ni c ol as( Sant aCl aus )al s oc al l e dhe r e‘ Di dMor oz ’i sanubi qui t ousChr i s t mas c har ac t e randi sbe l i e v e dt opl ac es omegisunde rt heChr i s t mast r e et hi sni ght . I ns omer e gi onspe opl ear eal s omak i ngde c or at e dChr i s t mase ggsv e r ys i mi l art o Eas t e re ggs-‘ Pys ank y’ . Hal l owe e ni snotc e l e br at e di nUk r ai nebuts omes i mi l art r adi t i onsar epe r f or me d he r ef orChr i s t mas .Thi se v e ni ngc hi l dr e nc omear oundt he i rne i ghbor ’ shous e swi t h t or c he sands par c l e r s( he r er e f e r r e dt oasBe ngall i ght s )s pr e adi nggr ai nsand c ol or e ds e e ds .The ywi s hpe opl egoodhe al t handanabundanthar v e s tf ort hene x t ye arandas kf ors omedonat i ons .The yal s ope r f or ms omeChr i s t mass ongsc al l e d ‘ Kol i adk y’or‘ Shc he dr i v k y’ . Thedaya e r ,t hepe opl ei ns omev i l l age si nWe s t e r nUk r ai neor gani z ef ol kpe r f or manc e swhi c hhav ec l e ar l ybe e ni ns pi r e dbyanc i e ntpaganhabi t s .The ydr e s sup t he ms e l v e sasmons t e r swi t hpe l t sandhor nsandr unt hr ought hev i l l aget r yi ngt o s c ar epe opl e .A e rt hatt he yr unt oas pe c i alpl ac eont heout s k i r t soft hev i l l ageand t hati swhe r et hemai nac tt ak e spl ac e :t he yfightwi t hal lt hepe opl eoft hev i l l age andar efinal l yde f e at e d.The r ewi l lal s obes c ar e c r owsbur ne di nabi gbonfir eand e v e r yoneat t e ndi ngt hee v e ntwi l ldanc ear oundt hebonfir e .Thi ss ymbol i z e st he fightofgoodande v i landt hatgoodt r i umphe dov e re v i lf ort hene x tye art oc ome .

Pol and(Kasia)

Chr i s t mast i mei sv e r yi mpor t anti nPol andandbe c aus ei ti samos t l yc at hol i cc ount r yt hi spe r i odi sﬁl l e dwi t ht r adi t i on,f ami l y,c e l e br at i onands ymbol s .As ymbolof ne wl i f e-ne wye ar ,as ymbolofpe ac e ,c onc i l i at i on,ane x c e pt i onalt i mewhe nal li s pos s i bl eandwhe ne v e nt hee ne mi e shav et hec hanc et oputas i det he i rdie r e nc e s . F ort hePol i s hc at hol i cChr i s t mast i mes t ar t s40daysbe f or et he24t hofDe c e mbe r .I t i sadv e nt ,at i meofwai t i ngf ort hec e l e br at i onoft henat i v i t yofJ e s us .I ti sat i meof s i l e nc e ;i ti sr ar et os e epe opl eor gani z i ngpar t i e s .I nt hes amet i me ,ont he6t hof De c e mbe r ,Sant aCl ausc ome st ot hePol i s hhous e sandl e av e susal otofgis; )

SAMTS IRHC Chr i s t masi nPol andl as t s2days ;25t hand26t hDe c e mbe r ,howe v e rt hemos ti mpor t antdayi st hedaybe f or eChr i s t mas ,onDe c e mbe r24.I ti sWi gi l i a.I nmyhous e t hi sdayi sv e r ys pe c i albe c aus emymot he rs ayst hatwhe nWi gi l i ai sbadorunhappy,al lt hedaysoft hec omi ngye arwi l lbet hes ames owet r yt os pe ndt hi sday i npe ac e .Whe nt heChr i s t mast r e ei sde c or at e d,weawai tf ort hefir s ts t art os how upont hes k ybe f or ewebe gi nourdi nne r .Weal waysl e av eonepl ac ef oranune x pe c t e dgue s tatt het abl e ,be c aus eont hi sday,nobodyc anbeal one .Wes t ar tour di nne rdi v i di ngt he“ opl at e k ”( ak i ndofbr e ad)andt heme mbe r soff ami l ye x c hange wi s he st oe ac hot he r .Ont het abl ewes houl dhav ehad12di s he swhi c hs ymbol i z e 12mont hs ,howe v e ri nmanyhome sweonl ye atf e woft he m:be e ts oup( bar s z c z ) wi t hr av i ol i( us z k a)s t ue dwi t hmus hr oom,c ar p,he r r i ng,k ut i a( t hemi x t ur eof poppy,nut ,hone y,whe at ,r ai s i ns ) ,gi nge r br e adandc he e s e c ak e .Wedonote at me atont hatday!A e rt hate v e r yonec anfindandope nfindpr e s e nt sunde rt he Chr i s t mast r e ef r om t heSt ar( gwi az dk a) .Wes i ngt heChr i s t masc ar ol sanda e rt he s uppe r ,wegot oc hur c hf ort hemi dni ghtmas s( pas t e r k a) . The25t hand26t hofDe c e mbe r ,t hePol e sgot ov i s i te ac hot he r .The s e2daysar ege ne r al l ys pe ntatt he t abl e ,be c aus et heme atandal lt heot he rf oodsar enowal l owe d. Ae rChr i s t masc ome sNe wY e arEv e .ThePol i s hpe opl es pe ndt hi sdaywi t ht he i r f ami l i e sandf r i e ndsorgot opar t i e s ,c l ubs ,bar se t c .Wedr i nkal otofc hampagne andofc our s ev odk aande v e r ybodye nj oysi t ! ; ) Me r r yChr i s t masandhappyNe wY e ar !

T ur k e y(Gülce)

I nT ur k e ywec e l e br at et heNe wY e arbe gi nni ngont he31s tofDe c e mbe r .Ac c or di ng t ot hel awadmi t t e di n1935,31s tofDe c e mbe ri nt hea e r noonand1s tofJ anuar y ar eo c i alhol i days .

OnChr i s t masEv epe opl ege ne r al l ys t ayathome .Chr i s t masdi nne ri soneoft he mos ti mpor t antpar t soft heday.Wehav et ur k e y( ye s ,wee att ur k e yi nT ur k e yJ ) wi t hr i c ei st hemos tpopul arme al .Chr i s t masEv eus ual l ye ndswi t hagameofBi ngo ( T ombal a) .I naddi t i ont opl ayi ngt hi sgamepe opl eal s obuyl ot t e r yt i c k e t sbe c aus e Chr i s t masEv ei ss ai dt obeadayofl uc k .Mos tpe opl ede c or at eChr i s t mast r e e sf or t hes ak eoft he i rc hi l dr e n.The yde c or at et het r e e swi t hs mal lr e dpl as t i cbal l s ,s mal l c ol our f ull ampsl i k et he ys e ei nt hemov i e s: )

CHRI STMAS F ort hel as t15ye ar spe opl ehav eal s obe gunt ogoout s i det oc e l e br at eNe wY e ar ’ s Ev e .Gi antTVs c r e e nsar eputupatt hec i t yc e nt r e st omak epe opl es e ehowNe w Y e ar sEv ei sbe i ngc e l e br at e di nr e s toft hewor l d.

F r anc e(Hien)

J oye uxNoë l!( HappyChr i s t mas ! ) Chr i s t masi nF r anc e ,l i k ei ne v e r yChr i s t i anc ount r i e s ,i sadaywhe npe opl ec e l e br at e J e s us ’bi r t hdayt hat ’ swhywehav et heAdv e nt ’ spe r i odwhi c hs t ar t s4we e k sbe f or e Chr i s t mas .T r adi t i onal l yChr i s t i ansus e dt ol i ghtac andl ee ac hSundayunt i lChr i s t mast or e pr e s e ntt hel i ghtofJ e s us ’ar r i v al .Howe v e rt heAdv e nti swe l l k nownnow wi t ht heAdv e ntc al e ndarmadewi t hc ar dboar dwhe r eyouc anope nonewi ndow e ac hdayanddi s c ov e ras we e t ,mos toft het i mec hoc ol at e( s omepe opl ec an’ ts t ar t t he i rdaywi t houte at i ngt he i rc hoc ol at eorc anbe c omer e al l yv i ol e nti fyoudar et o s t e alt he i rc hoc ol at e ) . T oc e l e br at eands ymbol i z eJ e s us ’bi r t hdayweal s or e pr oduc ehi sbi r t hdays c e ne wi t hc r è c he /c r i b( Φα τ ν η) . I t ’ snotr e al l yChr i s t masi ft he r ear enode c or at i onsi nt hes t r e e t sandi nt hehous e s buti t ’ st r ut ht hatF r e nc hpe opl edon’ tgoc r az yandde c or at et he i rhous e swi t hl otof l i ght ss oyouwon’ ts e eal otofhous e swi t hpl e nt yandpl e nt yofl i ght s .L e t ’ snot f or ge tt heChr i s t mast r e e ,us ual l yyouwi l ls e egi ant“ t r ue ”Chr i s t mast r e ei nt own andv i l l age . I nt heni ghtoft he24t hDe c e mbe rf ami l ygat he r sandmak e sal ongdi nne r .F oi e gr as( Φο γαγκ πα) ,huî t r e s /oys t e r( Στ ρε ι δ ι α) ,r ôt idepor c /r oas tpor k( Χοι ρι ν οψη τ ο) , bûc hedeNoë l /yul el og( Xρι στ ου γε ν ν ι α τ ι κ οσκ ορµοσ) … ar ei nt heme nue .Some pe opl egot ot hec hur c hf ort heme s s edemi nui t /c hur c hs e r v i c edur i ngt hi sni ght . Ae rﬁl l i ngours t omac hswi t hpl e nt yofgr e atdi s he s… ﬁnal l yt hegise x c hange ! T r ut hf ul l yt hi sc e l e br at i onbe c amef ormos toft hepe opl eac omme r c i alc e l e br at i on whi c hi sanoc c as i ont obei nf ami l yt os har eal ongandgr e atdi nne randt opl e as e ourc l os er e l at i v e sbygi v i nggi.That ’ swhys omepe opl edon’ tgr e e tJ oye ux Noë l /HappyChr i s t masbutJ oye us e sF ê t e s /Se as on’ sgr e e t i ngst or e mov et he

SAMTS IRHC t her e l i gi ons i de . Λοι πο νe nj oyyourt i mewi t hyourf ami l yandyourr e l at i v e ! ! J oye us e sf ê t e sdeﬁnd’ anné e ! !

Hol l and(Farhana)

Chr i s t masi nHol l and,i safineone .Iwoul dn’ ts aywe ’ r ef anat i c s ,Iwoul ds ay… i t ’ s j us tpe r f e c t .I ’ l lwar nyoui nadv anc et hatIl ov eChr i s t masv e r ymuc h.Whe npe opl e ar et al k i ngabout‘ c api t al i s m’and‘ c omme r c i al i s m’ ,Idon’ tqui t eunde r s t andwhat t he yar et al k i ngabout …l e tmet r yt oe x pl ai n. F ort hefir s tt i me ,he r ei nGr e e c e ,Ic anr e al l yf e e lhowmuc hIl ov eChr i s t mas .Thi s i s ,be c aus es i nc eaf e wwe e k s ,I ’ v ebe e nmi s s i ngHol l andl i k ehe l l .Imi s st heat mos phe r e ,t hec ol d,t hewai t i ngf orde gr e e st odr opbe l owz e r oande x c i t e me ntwhe ni t ’ s s t ar t ss nowi ng!I tge t sdar ke ar l y,t he r ear el i ght sandc andl e se v e r ywhe r ei nt he hous e s …i t ’ ss uc habe aut i f uls i ght .Ev e r ybodyi st r yi ngt omak et hebe s toutoft hi s t i me ,youc ans e eandf e e lt hee x t r aeor te v e r ywhe r e .Eac hpe r s ont r i e st omak ea pi e c eoft hewor l dal i t t l ebi tmor ebe aut i f ulandyouc anf e e lt hes hi i nt heat mos phe r e .Sudde nl yyou’ l lf e e ll i k es mi l i ngt oc ompl e t es t r ange r sorbur s t i ngi nt ol aught e rwi t hs ome onewhe nyoubot hal mos tk i l lyour s e l font hei c ypav e me nt … Bei t wi t hac hi l doranol dman,i tdoe s n’ tmat t e ranymor e . T ome ,Chr i s t mashasnot hi ngt odowi t hr e l i gi on,wi t hJ e z usorChr i s t ,oranyk i ndof ‘ hol y’t hi ng,ormaybee v e nf ami l y.Ok é ,abi tofc our s e …; )butf ormei t ’ sj us tt hat t i meofye ar ,whe ne v e r yt hi ngge t sal i t t l ebi tmor edic ul t .Wi t ht hec ol dande ar l y dar k ne s s ,If e e lwet e ndt oge tc l os e rc onne c t e dt oe ac hot he raut omat i c al l y.I ’ m s ur et hi shappe nsi not he rc ount r i e st oo.I t ’ st hi sf e e l i ngofbe i ngc onne c t e dt oot he r pe opl eonade e pe rl e v e l ,e v e nt ope opl eyoudon’ tk nowatal l .Thebondbe t we e n pe opl et i ght e nse v e rs os l i ght l y,buts oc l e ar l yt ome .T ome ,t hi st i meoft heye ari s v e r ypr e c i ous . Andwow… whe ni ts t ar t ss nowi ng…! !: DEv e r yt hi ngc hange s .Thel ands c apes t ar t s t obe c omes ome t hi ngs odie r e nt ,s ome t hi ngal mos tot he r wor l dl y.Ev e r ywhe r eyou l ook ,whi t el and,s t i l l ne s sandj us tpur ebe aut y.Ev e r yt hi ngi sal r e adyflati nt he Ne t he r l ands ,butwi t ht het r e e sbe i ngal lbol dands t u…e v e r yt hi ngge t se v e nmor e

CHRI STMAS c l e arands t i l l .Es pe c i al l yonas unnywi nt e rday,whe ni tj us ts nowe de i ghtc e nt i me t r e sandt hewi nds t aysl ow… Ic ans t ar eatt hel ands c apef orhour sandbet ot al l yat pe ac e .Bei ti nmyhome ,whi l et r av e l i ngont het r ai norbusormaybej us tona be nc hi napar k .Goandt ak eamor ni ngwal ki napar ks ome whe r eonane as y Sundayands t ands t i l lf oramome ntt he r ei nt hes now… s ome whe r ewi t hnoone ar oundyou,ane mpt ypat hbe t we e nt het r e e s .Thes i l e nc eyou’ l lhe ari ss or e aland k i ndofhe av yt oo… e v e r yl i t t l es oundi smu e dbyt hes nowar oundyou.F orme t hi si ss uc habe aut i f ult hi ng,a e r war dsIge thomev e r yc al m andl i ght . Il ov et ak i ngwal k sl i k et he s et hr ought hes now,al otoft i me se v e nwi t houtmus i con myhe ad.Nor mal l y,Ial waysl i s t e nt omus i c .Now,ofc our s emus i ct hatgi v e smea Chr i s t mas s y/Wi nt e r yf e e l i ng: )F orme ,t he s ear e n’ tne c e s s ar i l ys ongss pe c i ﬁc al l y aboutChr i s t mas ,j us ts ongst hathav et hi smagi c al /mys t i cf e e lt oi tandj us tmak e mef e e lChr i s t mas s y: PIl i s t e nt oal otofc l as s i c almus i candmov i e /games oundt r ac k sl i k eI mac hi nar i um.AndIl i s t e nt of ore x ampl eAgne sObe l ,I moge nHe ap, Apoc al ypt i c a,Appar at ,T or yAmos . . .Ial s ol i s t e nt oL or e e naMc Ke nni t t ,Cl annadand ot he rCe l t i ci nﬂue nc e dmus i c . Is ay‘ t hi st i meoft heye ar ’r at he rt han‘ Chr i s t mas ’ ,be c aus ef orme ,t hi spe r i odof t i mei snotne c e s s ar i l yc onne c t e dt oChr i s t masal one .Ige tt he‘ Chr i s t mas ’f e e l i ng whe ni ts t ar t sge t t i ngc ol de randdar k e r ,whi c hme anst hatal otofpe opl et hi nkI ’ m c r az ywhe nge tt heur get oputonChr i s t masmus i ci nt hebe gi nni ngofNov e mbe r . . . ; )Orwhe nIbuyal lk i ndsofni c eChr i s t masl i ght sandde c or at i on: PThef e e l i ngi ss o ni c e !Whe nyougot oaChr i s t masmar k e tout s i dei nt hepar k ,wi t ht hel i t t l es t al l s whe r eyouc anbuyhous e /gar de nde c or at i ons ,hotwi ne ,ni c ewar mc l ot he s ,war m f oodandt hewhol emar k e ti t s e l fi sde c or at e dt oo.Some t i me st hemar k e t shav e be aut i f ull oc at i ons ,l i k ei napar kwi t hhugeol dt r e e sori nabi gc our t yar dofanol d c as t l e .Andwhe nIboughts omeni c es t u ,I ’ ml i k eac hi l d;t hr i l l e dandt ot al l yi mpat i e ntt oge thomeandde c or at et hehous e … wi t hmymus i cofc our s e !: ) Atni ghtIs e er e dandgr e e nc ol our se v e r ywhe r e ,wi t hgol de nl i ne s .Thes me l lof Chr i s t mast r e e si spr i c e l e s s ,t r ybur ni ngal i t t l epi e c eofoneoft hos ebr anc he s .The ar omayou’ l ls me l lhol dst hev e r ye s s e nc eofChr i s t mas( s ot os pe ak: P) .Whe nI s me l lt hi s ,mymi ndi mme di at e l yf oc us e sons oot hi ngf e e l i ngsandwar mc ol our s . Y ou’ l ls e el i t t l el i ght sandc andl e se v e r ywhe r e ,noc ol dhar dl i ght st obes e e n.Whe nI dr i v ear oundi nHol l andatt hi st i meoft heye ar ,j us tal onewi t hmyChr i s t masmus i c andIs e eal lt hi smys t e r yandbe aut yar oundme ,I ’ mt r ul yhappy.

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Seey ouagai ni n2012! ! !: )