Christmas
Greeks celebrate Christmas in Turkey with festive Istanbul rally
Members of the Greek minority in Istanbul marked Christmas on Thursday by taking out a celebration rally on Istiklal Street, Beyoglu (Pera), where they sang their traditional carols “Kalanta” and handed out sweets.
Dozens of Greeks gathered in front of the 19th century Greek school, Zografeion Lyceum. They then marked to the Consulate General of Greece.
Weird, wacky, wonderful… gutsy alternative Christmas songs you’ve (probably) never heard of (videos)
President wishes happy Christmas to Catholics, Protestants
Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic on Wednesday extended Christmas greetings to all citizens who celebrate it according to the Gregorian calendar.
Serbia's majority Eastern Orthodox Christians will celebrate the holiday on January 7 - but the minority Catholic and Protestant citizens will do so on December 25.
Somalia bans Christmas
The government of Somalia has banned Christmas celebrations, warning that Christian holidays could jeopardize the Muslim faith in the country.
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Merry Greecemas! Greek Christmas traditions steeped in paganism
Kosovo dialogue to resume after holidays - report
EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini will invite Aleksandar Vucic and Isa Mustafa to meet in Brussels after New Year's and Christmas holidays.
Belgrade-based daily Vecernje Novosti is reporting this on Monday, quoting "EU diplomatic circles."
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Culinary gifts
The traditions of Ottoman gift-giving were phenomenal. Ramadan, the equivalent of Christmas, not religiously but in the sense of celebration, was a true gift-giving period. If one was to be invited to break their fast in an elite mansion in Istanbul, it meant that not only would the guest be thoroughly satisfied, they would also receive a parting gift called a "di?
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White House Christmas tree gets the Greek touch (pics)
Greek florist/decorator Maria Lalagos, whose roots are from Crete and the Peloponnese, was one of the 89 volunteers selected to decorate the White House for Christmas. Known to her friends as the “Christmas elf”, her participation in bringing Christmas cheer to the family of U.S. President Barack Obama was a dream come true.
Beyoncé dressed as a Christmas tree
With Christmas just around the corner, Beyoncé chose a more festive look to attend Roc Nation holiday party in New York City dressing up like a Christmas tree.
The famous singer was photographed wearing a Santa hat, Christmas tree sunglasses, a colorful dress, and a shawl decorated with ornaments, a garland, and poinsettias.
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Sunday Christmas opening times marred by protests
Shopkeepers and sales staff held protests in Athens and Thessaloniki to mark the first of three Sunday opening days for shops during the Christmas season. Protests were held at Athens’ main shopping area at Ermou Street and at the corner of Tsimiski and Agia Sofia streets in Thesslaoniki. Traffic in Thessaloniki was brought to a standstill.
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