Christmas

The "Christmas Basket," the government measure presenting and comparing the prices of several seasonal goods, is returning this year, the Development Ministry announced on Monday.

The 12th Mill of the Elves has opened its doors to the public in the scenic city of Trikala, Thessaly, until January 7. 

The Mill of the Elves turns an old industrial site, the Matsopoulos mill, into the ultimate Christmas-themed park with over 100 events, including theatre performances, concerts and puppet shows.

Development Minister Kostas Skrekas noted price reductions of roughly 20-30%, on average, for hundreds of Christmas products, compared to last year, during his visit on Wednesday to Jumbo, a large chain selling toys and seasonal, ahead of the festive season.

The ornamental plants and cut flower sector in the southern province of Antalya has started shipping a total of 75 million cut flowers, mainly carnations, and 4 million Christmas wreaths to nearly 30 European countries and Russia for Christmas and New Year celebrations this year.

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church is moving to a new calendar with a decision of the Synod, Ukrinform reported, citing BBC Ukraine.

"The Orthodox Church of Ukraine - the most popular religious organization in the country, has approved the complete transition to the new calendar," an official announcement states.

An orthodox faithful catches a wooden crucifix during Epiphany day celebrations in Piraeus near Athens, Friday. Epiphany marks the end of the 12 days of Christmas, but not all Orthodox Christian churches celebrate it on the same day.
[Louiza Vradi/Reuters]

Twice as many foreign tourists and higher prices for the upcoming holidays. These are the forecasts of experts in the tourism industry. About half a million people will be able to afford a holiday in Bulgaria, and about 60,000 abroad. Despite the measures, there are already resorts where all places are occupied.

"Not everyone celebrates Christian holidays. Such sentences can be stressful, so we should say 'holiday time'," recommended the document of the European Commissioner for Equality Helena Dalli, i.e. the manual of the European Commission.
It is said that the word "Christmas" should not be used in any context.

Ljubljana – The government has made a few changes to Covid restrictions, including detailing rules for open-air Christmas fairs, which will have to be fenced off with separate entrances and exits.

The reaction, at least those from the educational community, was mostly caused by the attitude of epidemiologist and member of the Crisis Staff Dr Predrag Kon, who warned that the winter break should begin before St. Nicholas, which is celebrated on December 19, because that is the period when gastarbeiters enter our country, as they come from European countries where the delta strain reigns.