Greek Cultural Experience

Greek Cultural Experience
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Greek Cultural Experience
I have chosen Yiasou Greek experience that I attended two years ago. It was a very informal intercultural experience that I enjoyed. The event was held at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral and its surrounding parking lot. There were many things to observe and purchase as well. From music to artwork to food, all in Greek Culture, it was a new experience. This was the time I almost became Greek.
I chose Yiasou Greek Festival because it is one of the most prominent annual events in the Greek culture that attracts thousands of tourists around the world. It features authentic Greek cuisine, live music and dancing, Hellenic cultural exhibits, homemade pastries, wine tasting, entertainment, art, shopping and more (yiasoufestival.org). This is the time of the year that everybody can be Greek. This event gave me the opportunity to learn more about the cultural practices of Greece. It is a big party that celebrates the country’s heritage. During the event, people talk about Greek faith and church, visit the Greek cultural Exhibition, and the Holy Trinity Cathedral (Banker, 2020). Visitors are offered delicious homemade foods and pastries like roast lamb, baklava, Athenian baked fish, Greek salad, and Grecian baked chicken.
The most popular Greek meal is Baclava. It has many layers of thin bread filled with various ingredients such as butter, honey, nuts and different spices (Banker, 2020). It is significant to note that Ancient Greece had no sugar and honey was mostly used to sweeten foods. This tradition has not died, and it is observed during the festival. During the Yiasou festival, tourists are given the chance to listen to Greek music and perform Greek dances. The volunteers from the community speak their national language and wear traditional clothes allegedly worn by Greek ancestors (Mickle, 2019). The Yiasou festival gives the opportunity chooses and buy Greek souvenirs, perceived to be part of the Greek culture. I am deeply impressed by this lively music festival, which creates an environment of friendship, hospitality and peace. The term ‘Yiasou’ means hello, cheers and goodbye (Banker, 2020). This cultural event deserves respect and admiration because it unites people of various backgrounds. Through observation, it seems the festival has become the pride of the nation.
Before I tried Yiasou Greek festival, I thought it wo...