The New Year’s celebration had a huge influence on the Karagounis of Thessaly. The Athenian-Macedonian News Agency undertakes a journey into the past by talking with the Karditsio teacher-author-researcher of local history Vasiliki Koziou-Kolofotia, who managed to record and save many historical and folklore elements. Many of these are included in her books that she has delivered to the reading public over time.

On New Year’s Eve, the housewives would get up, before it even started, to knead the vasilok’loura, a large loaf of flour, which they kneaded well and put figs, raisins and a spoonful of honey inside. As soon as it was placed in the pan, the ritual of decorating the top surface began. With the fork they embroidered various flowers and with the piece of dough they were holding they made the shepherd with the cape and the glitza, a bunch of grapes, a cross, etc. a. Inside they would put a coin, a sprig of sycamore or vine, an ear of wheat or corn, a hair of a cow, each symbolizing the expectation of securing the harvest and the prosperity of the family. Along with the vasilok’loura, they also kneaded buns for their animals, which they broke on the back of a cow or a sheep on New Year’s Day and gave a few pieces to eat, so that the animals would be strong.

On New Year’s morning, the whole family went to church in festive clothes. When the church was in session, young and old, women and men, inside and outside the church said happy birthday. Many women distributed pieces of basil and cheese to the congregation. The younger ones kissed the hands of the older ones, the papa and papadia, who were considered respectable persons. I often think of the figure of Pope Vangelis and Papadia, who was well-dressed and happy standing next to him and the congregation passed by and kissed their hands. On New Year’s, the men with the degrees used to dance, to drive away the evil spirits.

When noon arrived, Mrs. Goat, all the family members were seated around the backgammon board and anxiously awaited the cutting of the king cake and the lucky piece. The master of the house, after crucifying her three times with a knife, took out as many pieces as the members of the family plus one for Christ. Whoever got the seeds would have a great harvest and would be a good farmer. If one succeeded to the branch of the tree, there would be many trees and vines. Whoever got the hair would have many animals. However, the one who would achieve the flourish would be the very lucky one, since it would ensure joy and happiness for the whole year. Then they ate the stuffed hen, fried leeks and eagle pie. If a family had an alienated member or in the army, they necessarily put an extra plate, glass, fork and spoon on the table. Before they began to eat, they all made the cross and, if they had a newly married bride, she bowed three times, and then they began to eat.

Just like Christmas, so also on New Year’s the table was set all day. Also, on New Year’s Day, they cut the nails of little children and cut some of their hair for good measure. They also pruned or planted a tree and threw the ashes in the garden. Many housewives at midnight on New Year’s Eve would go to the faucet and anoint it with grease, saying: “As it flows, little water fountain, so may my life flow.” On New Year’s Day in the past, and on New Year’s Eve in recent years, children would go home to sing New Year’s carols announcing the coming of the new year. This celebration was established by the Christians to replace the Kalends. It coincides with the death of Saint Basil, on January 1, 379 AD. H..

The song they usually sang in Krania Karditsa was the following:

Santa Claus is coming, Ginaris is getting ready.

-Vasili m’puthi go up and puthi come down?

-From the mother with me, go to the teacher.

-And if it comes from the teacher, tell us the alphabet.

I leaned over to say the alphabet to the duckling

and the patiritsa was khlouria and ampoliasi coonaria,

golden crested, gold-buttoned,

when you button them, Christ did not give me your hand,

mi the right mi the zirvi mi the holy gospel(o).

And the year!

The verses referring to the crutch, on which Saint Basil leaned and released branches, certainly come from antiquity and symbolize rebirth through wisdom, knowledge and letters, elements that also characterized Saint Basil.