The arts have been integral to Greek life since ancient times. In summer,
Greek dramas are staged in the ancient theatres where they were originally
performed. Greek literature's ancient heritage spans poetry, drama,
philosophical and historical treatises, and travelogues. Western civilisation's
mania for logic and 'ideas' can be traced directly back to the musings of
ancient Greek philosophers such as Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, and the west's
sciences, arts and politics are also deeply indebted to classical Greece.
These days, the novelist Nikos Kazantzakis is the most widely read Greek
writer, and there is a vibrant poetic tradition in modern Greece which includes
the Nobel laureates George Seferis and Odysseus Elytis. A
thriving visual-arts scene exists, and traditional folk crafts such as
embroidery, weaving and tapestry continue. Rembetika music, with its
themes of poverty and suffering, was banned under the junta, but is becoming
increasingly popular among young people. Greece's most acclaimed film director
is Theodoros Angelopoulos, whose films include The Beekeeper and Travelling
Players.
The Greek language is probably the oldest in Europe, with a 4000-year oral
tradition and a 3000-year written tradition. Today, Greek constitutes a large
part of the vocabulary of any Indo-European language, and much of the lexicon of
any scientific repertoire. Modern Greek is a southern dialect adopted as a
standardised version of the language and differs substantially from Katharevousa,
the artificial language loosely based on Ancient Greek that was instated by
various right-wing puritanical regimes this century. Katharevousa is still
evident on street signs and can cause endless confusion for the tourist.
About 98% of Greeks are Greek Orthodox, and the rest of the population is
split between Roman Catholic, Jewish and Muslim faiths. Religion is integral to
life in Greece and the Greek year is centred around the festivals of the church
calendar.
Much of Greece's culinary heritage can be sourced to the 400 years of Turkish
rule, particularly appetisers such as tzatziki (cucumber and yoghurt dip)
and octopus pickled in lemon juice and olive oil. Cheap snacks such as souvlaki
(skewered, grilled meat in pita bread) and spanikopita (spinach and
cheese pie) are easy to find. Popular main dishes include pastitsio
(macaroni baked with minced meat and béchamel sauce), stuffed tomatoes and
freshly grilled seafood. The mainstay of the Greek diet is the ubiquitous horiatiki
salata (country salad), consisting of lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, feta
cheese and olives. Greek yoghurt, more like sour cream than the thin
sharp-tasting version available in most countries, is delicious and sold
everywhere.
The old joke about the Greek woman who used to shout at her husband 'Come and
eat your lunch before it gets hot' is based on truth, for the Greeks prefer to
eat their food lukewarm and it is invariably served that way.
A
thriving visual-arts scene exists, and traditional folk crafts such as
embroidery, weaving and tapestry continue. Rembetika music, with its
themes of poverty and suffering, was banned under the junta, but is becoming
increasingly popular among young people. Greece's most acclaimed film director
is Theodoros Angelopoulos, whose films include The Beekeeper and Travelling
Players.