Hot July brings cooling showers,
Apricots and gilly-flowers.
July is a time when the farmer's lot is eased and he is able to spend some time in his Kalivi in the country with his family, friends and animals and just enjoy himself!
Traditional songs -dhimotiká - can be heard in the countryside, either from the radio or from people just enjoying 'kefi' (good mood), as well as the modern bluesy rembetika music.
Greece is one of the few places in Europe where the day-to-day role of folk dance is sustained. Rather than functioning as a museum piece preserved only for performances and special events, it is a vivid expression of everyday life. Occasions for dance are usually weddings, family celebrations, and paneyeria (Patron Saints' name days). Dance also has its place in ceremonial customs that are still preserved in Greek villages, such as dancing the bride during a wedding and dancing the trousseau of the bride during the wedding preparations.
Of course, the best-known Greek musical instrument is the bouzouki, which is actually a Turkish name. However, the instrument is in fact of Greek rather than Turkish origin. It derives from the ancient Greek lute known as the pandoura, a kind of guitar, which is clearly visible in ancient statues, especially female figurines of the "Tanagraies" playing cord instruments.
MANY YEARS! XRONIA POLLA! MANY YEARS! XRONIA POLLA!
NAME DAYS THIS MONTH ARE:
(Where it is known, the meaning of the name is given in brackets)
July 1 Kosmos Damianos (worldly)
July 4 Theodora (God's gift)
July 7 Kuriaki (Sunday)
July 8 Prokopios (prosperous)
July 9 Kurillos
July 16 Antochus
July 17 Marina
July 18 Frederikos
July 22 Magdalini (the Magdalen)
July 24 Panayiotis (all saints), Xristina (grace)
July 25 Annis, Euprazia
July 26 Paraskevi ( preparation) , Okeanos
July 27 Panteleimon (total)