The book was created within the framework of the project ,,Fairytales: The Key to Learning and Development.'' We thank  to eTwinning for this opportunity."

Georgia საქართველო

Pasanauri Public School N1. Teacher Nino Tsiklauri

4th grade students

New Year's Tradition of Mekvle

        Let's talk about this Georgian tradition called "Mekvle." Mekvle is the first person to visit your h ome after the official start of the New Year. The literal translation of the term is "the one who leaves a trace."The idea behind this is as follows: this person should come to your house with sweets and/or wheat, along with a positive spirit. You open the door, and the Mekvle sprinkles you with sweets or wheat, stepping in with their right foot while saying these words:Shemovji pekhi, gtskalobdet gmerti. Pekhi chemi, kvali angelosisa,"which translates to:I have entered; may God be on your side. My foot is the trace of an Angel."

After that, they join in a feast and bless the family.People usually choose a Mekvle who is considered a lucky person, someone they love, and someone with a pure heart and good intentions. The idea is that this person will bring love and success to the family throughout the year. The Mekvle must be someone who was not under the same roof when the New Year began.

10th Kindergarten of Larisa Greece 

Greeke New Year's Tradition: Breaking the Pomegranate

The pomegranate is a fruit that, since ancient times, has been associated with the cycle of the seasons, the rebirth of nature, good luck, fertility and abundance. It started in the Peloponnese, a region of Southern Greece, but was quickly adopted by many regions across the country. So, on New Year's morning, the faithful take a pomegranate to the church, usually this is the householder of the house, to be blessed by the priest. Returning home, he knocks on the door and when it opens he breaks the pomegranate in front of it so that the seeds of the pomegranate scatter everywhere, wishing "with health, happiness and joy in the new year and as many pimples as the pomegranate has, so many pounds in the pocket"!!

    Romanian New Year's traditions are full of ancient customs and habits, which vary from region to region, but which preserve the essence of a fresh start and a new life. Here are some of the most important traditions:

Caroling – One of the most beloved traditions, carols are sung by children and young people who go from house to house, announcing the Birth of the Savior and wishing well for the new year. On New Year's Eve and the first day of the year, they carol with wishes for health, abundance and prosperity.

Udat or "Jocul Caprei" – This custom symbolizes fertility and bringing abundance to the house. Young people dress up in goat skins and form a "goat game" around the village. This custom is accompanied by traditional music and dances.

Plugușorul – It is a wish dedicated to well-being, harvest and prosperity. In the first days of the year, young men or boys walk with a plow (sometimes symbolic) through the village, singing "Plugușorul" and asking for a fruitful year.

Sorcova – On New Year's morning, children go with the "sorcova" (a green branch or stick decorated with flowers and ribbons) and gently knock on people's houses, saying "Live, work, be healthy!" and wishing them luck and health in the coming year.

4th Grade of 1st Primary School of Kalythies, Rhodes, Greece, Nikoletta Zoumpoula

                                  Christmas Carols

One of the most well-known and beloved Greek Christmas tradition is the Christmas Carols. On Christmas Eve (December 24th), children walk from house to house singing carols, which are traditional songs that wish happiness, health, and prosperity for the new year. Due to the custom people gave them sweets, fruits, or other treats and nowadays, money. 

This tradition is connected to the celebration of the birth of Christ and has roots in ancient Greece, as the custom of musical and song offerings for good wishes already existed in Greek tradition.

The carols are usually accompanied by musical instruments, such as the triangle or the lute, and their lyrics vary slightly from region to region, but their core idea remains the same: a celebration and blessing for the birth of Christ and the hope for a good year.                    

№3 Public School, 

Rustavi, Georgia

Irma Gelashvili

The children go out early in the morning in the neighbourhood and sing about the birth of Christ and the coming of the New Year, holding triangles.  The carols are followed by greetings and treats.

Carols are Christmas and New Year songs that children sing on the eve of Christmas, New Year and Epiphany. 

1st Primary sch of Kalythies Rodos, GREECE 4th grade, Eirini gkouzia

Such sweets are melomakarona and kourabiedes.Melomakarona have walnuts, honey, cinnamon and cloves. Kourabiedes have icing sugar, almonds and rose water. 

In Greece we make sweets to celebrate Christmas and New Year and to make the house smell good.  

Christmas Eve and Christmas Traditions in Lithuania

Teacher Laura Palivoniene, Siauliai Romuvos progymnasius, Lithuania, 3 grade students

      Christmas Eve (December 24):

    •    Dinner: The meal consists of 12 dishes (herring, cranberry jelly, kūčiukai, poppy seed milk) with no meat or dairy. Hay is placed under the tablecloth, and an extra plate is set for departed loved ones.

    •    Customs: The evening begins when the first star appears. Traditions include fortune-telling (pulling straws, throwing shoes). Christmas Eve focuses on peace, reconciliation, and forgiveness.

Christmas Day (December 25):

    •    Morning: Many attend church services, and breakfast includes hearty dishes, with no fasting.  

    •    Tree and gifts: The Christmas tree is decorated with straw ornaments and lights, and gifts are exchanged.

    •    Significance: Christmas represents joy, renewal, and family togetherness.

Maria Chatzimarinaki

2nd Experimental Primary School 

Ierapetra, GREECE