Volume 2, Issue 2
May 2009
Copyright 2009 © All rights reserved. Made By OliveNet Design.
| Previous Issue | Archive | Advertisers | Roda Online | Roda Forum |
| Previous Issue | Archive | Advertisers | Roda Online | Roda Forum |
exception, as Hawaiian Lei (flower garlands) are made and given to friends and family to be worn around the neck.
In Greece, the day marks the “Feast of Flowers”, which has its roots in the festivals pertaining to the Greek goddess Demeter.
In Greece, the day marks the “Feast of Flowers”, which has its roots in the festivals pertaining to the Greek goddess Demeter.
The first day of the fifth month of the Grego-rian calendar is said to be a time of love &
Top of Page
Considered to be responsible for the fertility of the land, Dem-eter was the only deity who was
romance. It is when people celebrate the forthcoming summer and thoughts of the darker winter months fade with the brighter light and colours to come.
The first day of May is celebrated in many countries around the world, with differing customs everywhere. There is one tradition that seems to be
The first day of May is celebrated in many countries around the world, with differing customs everywhere. There is one tradition that seems to be
common across land and water – the use of flowers.
In one country the tradition is to hang a basket of fresh flowers on
In one country the tradition is to hang a basket of fresh flowers on
either immediately before the first day of May or on the day itself.
Of course, Proto Maios, is the time when Stefanis are made, the flower garlands that grace the majority of
Of course, Proto Maios, is the time when Stefanis are made, the flower garlands that grace the majority of
So, if you are reading this on May Day, why not do something similar to what most of your friends in Roda will be doing, go and pick some flowers to bring into the house, welcome the coming summer and all its colours.
The inhabitants of the UK are great tea drinkers although it is coffee that is considered to be the most popular drink in mainland Europe. In Greece and throughout the Balkans, however, the tradition of tea-drinking goes back over 2000 years and the benefits of doing so are thought to be considerable.
There are many infusions of wild herbs and flowers that are still used by Greek people today, and
There are many infusions of wild herbs and flowers that are still used by Greek people today, and
each has its own qualities. Strictly speaking, of course, the drink is not made with real ‘tea’, but is a ‘tisane’ – from the
Greek word ‘ptisane’ which was originally an infusion of pearl barley. One of the most famous tea infusions is ‘Earl Grey’ tea which was actually an illegal attempt by Earl Grey to ‘dilute’ the amount of tea he was selling by adding a considerable quantity of dried bergamot. The taste caught on and the rest is history.
In Greece, the most famous ‘tea’ is wild mountain tea which is made from the ‘sideritis’ plant which grows in warm climates above about 1000 metres. The dried stems, leaves and flowers are steeped in boiling water for a few minutes, they are strained, sweetened with honey if desired, and then served. It is often drunk to minimise the effects of the common cold and other respiratory complaints, but it is also useful for digestive complaints and as a diuretic for people with kidney stones.
Look for mountain tea in any Greek supermarket, it makes a lovely inexpensive gift or memento
In Greece, the most famous ‘tea’ is wild mountain tea which is made from the ‘sideritis’ plant which grows in warm climates above about 1000 metres. The dried stems, leaves and flowers are steeped in boiling water for a few minutes, they are strained, sweetened with honey if desired, and then served. It is often drunk to minimise the effects of the common cold and other respiratory complaints, but it is also useful for digestive complaints and as a diuretic for people with kidney stones.
Look for mountain tea in any Greek supermarket, it makes a lovely inexpensive gift or memento
“When bright flowers bloom
Parchment crumbles, my words fade
The pen has dropped ...”
- Morpheus
Parchment crumbles, my words fade
The pen has dropped ...”
- Morpheus
a neighbour’s door, without being seen. Across the UK, the maypole is still decorated with flowers and ribbons after which dancers use the pole and ribbons to weave patterns. In France, apparently, cows play an important role at May Day celebrations. The animals are led in parades with flowers attached to their tails, touching the cows during the
parade is meant to bring luck. In Ger-many on May Day, love is in the air as boys
try to plant a May tree, secretly, in front of the window of the girl they love. In Hawaii, the use of flowers is a common tradition for many of the local customs and May Day (Lei Day) is no
involved in the day-to-day lives of the people. She was credited with teaching humans how to grow,
preserve, and prepare grain. Demeter was truly the nurturer of mankind.
Her daughter, Pershe-phone, could be seen picking flowers in the Spring time, which brings us to the tradition of flower picking
Her daughter, Pershe-phone, could be seen picking flowers in the Spring time, which brings us to the tradition of flower picking
Greek houses. The tradition of collecting the flowers is often a family affair, and during the last
day of April and on May Day itself, the countryside around Roda is busy with the pleasurable job of picking flowers which will later be made into the family Stefani.
and you never know – you may actually acquire a taste for it yourself!