Kalanda – Greek Carol Singing

Painting by Nikiphoros Lytras Kalanda 1872 This painting is used for the most popular of Greek Christmas cards.

The history of Carol Singing

Singing Christmas carols is said to have its origins in ancient Greece.

Commencing on the first day of the twelve days of Dionysus , the origins of today’s today’s twelve days of Christmas, children would sing songs in honour of the ancient Greek god of wine, Dionysius.

An ancient tradition was to also present the head of the household, with an olive or laurel branch, a symbol of prosperity.

Dionysus, ancient Greek god of wine, appears as the ghost of Christmas Present to Scrooge in A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Vintage illusration by John Leech

Many Greek Christmas carols sung today date back to the Byzantine times.

Modern Day Greek Carol Singing

In Greece, extremely early on three specific days; Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and the Eve of Epipany; January 5th, (Theophania or, Ton Foton in Greek), children visit neighbours to sing kalanda; Greek Christmas carols.

Accompanied by the triangle, the carol singers may sometimes carry with them small wooden or paper boats, which they had lovingly been preparing, in the lead up to Christmas.

The neighbours reward the children by placing money and treats, such as cakes or candy, into their little Karavakia; Greek Christmas Boats.

Many times, have I had to open the door to them, before eight o clock, still in my dressing gown.

They knock on the door, shouting “Na ta poume?” meaning “Shall we sing?”,

The singing is accompanied by a randomly rattled triangle with no tune at all.

Greek carol singing from another era

Greek Carol Singers – Kalanda – Syros

Usually you get to hear only this one Greek song:

Traditional Greek kalanda – Christmas carol

Translated into English:

Good evening noblemen

If this is your will,

Christ’s holy birth

May I sing in your noble house?

Christ is being born today

In the town of Bethlehem

Heavens rejoice

All of nature is happy.

Inside the cave (He) is being born

In a manger for horses

The King of all the universe

The Creator of everything.

A crowd of angels are singing,

“Ossana in excelsis”,

And holly is

The faith of the shepherds.

From Persia three magi arrive

With their gifts

A bright star shows them the way

Without any delay.

In this house we have come

May no stone ever crack

And the landlord

May live for many years.

Greek Carol Singers

After knocking on doors and singing the Kalanda around their neighborhoods, children often go into town and sing outside the shops, hoping for a few extra Euros.

My children were very sly when they went carol singing (Encouraged by husband; MGG (My Greek God) I might add).

They only went to family friend’s and relative’s houses, even if it meant quite a trek, here they were sure of a good reward!

The philosophy here was; good friends and relatives would be too embarrassed to give nothing or only a few bits of change.

They knew that my husband would later ask them: “How much did uncle Yiannis give you?”.

I’m ashamed to tell you, their philosophy worked! (Or, should I say: MGG’s philosophy?), the cash they collected with their carol singing was an embarrassingly large amount!

Wishing you all a merry Christmas, with love from “Greeker”