TeenlinkSouthFlorida.com
Cherishing the past to make a bright future!
Greetings from Greece! Well, actually, I'm in Paris right now waiting
for my flight back home, but I wish I was still in my motherland! When you
take a trip to your ancestors' home, it really opens your eyes
to your own history. I've been going to Greece every summer since I was 13, and each time I go, I learn something new and different about my Hellenic culture.
I was fortunate enough to go to Greece this summer on different terms than
usual. When I visited in the past, I traveled to places with my parents and stayed with family. This time, I went to Greece as a performer and tourist. I went on a scholarship trip (Odyssey) with other Greek Orthodox
youth from the Metropolis of Atlanta whose purpose was to showcase
traditional Greek folk dances. In between our performances, we traveled throughout the mainland of
Greece, visiting the ruins at Corinth, the oracle at Delphi and of
course, the Acropolis in Athens. Moreover, we visited some of the most
beautiful and important churches in Greek Orthodoxy and venerated the
relics of our patron saints.
During our 'odyssey', we performed in three villages. Our first performance in Agrinion was during the annual festival at the Agrinion School of Music. Many of the smirking guests looked at us with doubt. They seemed to have the mindset that we were merely Americans lacking any knowledge and understanding of their local traditions and culture of dance. Yet, we proved them wrong once we started dancing on stage. As we danced, their critical frowns transformed into smiles while some even had tears in their eyes. We were able to successfully bring Greek-American culture to the "horio" (village), to show that we are committed to preserving our Hellenic culture. By the end of the night, the crowd joined our dance line, and together, native and visitor, Greek and American, we danced together as our mutual ancestors have for centuries.
Returning to America, I have a greater appreciation for my heritage. To witness firsthand the land and lifestyle of my ancestors was an incredible experience. Therefore, I implore anyone who reads this blog to get in touch with his or her respective culture. Learn its history. Eat its food. Try on the clothing, no matter how obscure it seems. My school's principle always ends her emails with the quote " Be proud from whence we came, be awed by where we go". Take this to heart. I know that I owe how I was shaped as a person to my culture, faith and heritage.
for my flight back home, but I wish I was still in my motherland! When you
take a trip to your ancestors' home, it really opens your eyes
to your own history. I've been going to Greece every summer since I was 13, and each time I go, I learn something new and different about my Hellenic culture.
I was fortunate enough to go to Greece this summer on different terms than
usual. When I visited in the past, I traveled to places with my parents and stayed with family. This time, I went to Greece as a performer and tourist. I went on a scholarship trip (Odyssey) with other Greek Orthodox
youth from the Metropolis of Atlanta whose purpose was to showcase
traditional Greek folk dances. In between our performances, we traveled throughout the mainland of
Greece, visiting the ruins at Corinth, the oracle at Delphi and of
course, the Acropolis in Athens. Moreover, we visited some of the most
beautiful and important churches in Greek Orthodoxy and venerated the
relics of our patron saints.
During our 'odyssey', we performed in three villages. Our first performance in Agrinion was during the annual festival at the Agrinion School of Music. Many of the smirking guests looked at us with doubt. They seemed to have the mindset that we were merely Americans lacking any knowledge and understanding of their local traditions and culture of dance. Yet, we proved them wrong once we started dancing on stage. As we danced, their critical frowns transformed into smiles while some even had tears in their eyes. We were able to successfully bring Greek-American culture to the "horio" (village), to show that we are committed to preserving our Hellenic culture. By the end of the night, the crowd joined our dance line, and together, native and visitor, Greek and American, we danced together as our mutual ancestors have for centuries.
Returning to America, I have a greater appreciation for my heritage. To witness firsthand the land and lifestyle of my ancestors was an incredible experience. Therefore, I implore anyone who reads this blog to get in touch with his or her respective culture. Learn its history. Eat its food. Try on the clothing, no matter how obscure it seems. My school's principle always ends her emails with the quote " Be proud from whence we came, be awed by where we go". Take this to heart. I know that I owe how I was shaped as a person to my culture, faith and heritage.
Comment
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Comment by Anca on July 9, 2009 at 9:15am -
thats so cool! you have to upload pictures!
i get what you mean though. when i go to Romania and then come back home, i have a greater appreciation for my country :)
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