Traditions from greece, romania, poland & latvia

Traditions from greece, romania, poland & latvia

GREECE

9th Kindergarten of Kalamata, class 2

Greece

Greece

Among the most well-known water customs practiced in our country is the sprinkling of water in the path of a traveler. Throwing a little water in the path/direction of a person before they begin their journey is believed to provide a journey without obstacles and complications, just like the way water flows.

5th kindergarten of Tripolis

Greece

In Christmas Eve, the girls of the province would run to the nearest fountain in the province to "steal the unspoiled water", that is, the silent water. The water is called that because the girls do not utter a word throughout the journey. When they reach the fountain, they say: "As your water flows, my little fountain, so may my livelihood flow", that is, my property, my life.

9th kintergarten of Kalamata, class 1

Greece

Kindergarten, Nea Iraklitsa

Romania

Poland

Śmigus-Dyngus: Poland's National Water Fight Day also known as Wet Monday, is a Polish Easter Monday tradition which, in short, involves people throwing great amounts of water at each other. It is connected to the coming of spring – water being a symbol of life and renewal. In the past, on Easter Monday, boys in the countryside would be allowed to soak girls with water to show their affection. Today, it is a national water fight with water guns, water bottles, water balloons. You never know where the water is going to come from

Latvia

A legend tells of a sailor who was the only survivor of a shipwreck. He reached the shore, where he tried to cross the forest thickets. On the way, he was bitten by a snake and he collapsed helplessly and lay down at the roots of a thick oak tree. After some time, he woke up and noticed that the snake bite site had healed. All this time, spring water, which was located at the roots of the oak tree, had been flowing on his hand. The sailor also washed himself in it and felt strength and vigor. Later, when he got out of the forest thickets, he told everyone he met on his way about the unusual spring.On Easter morning, you should wash yourself in running water, you will be healthy and beautiful! Easter is associated with the awakening of nature, which was of great importance in ancient times. It was believed that on Easter morning, you should get up early to see how the sun rises, and wash yourself in running water flowing towards the sun. This is a magical ritual of purification that helps to gain vigor, a clear mind, health and beauty.

Αnd the water flows ceaselessly, carrying the past into the present and the present into the future.