Ποτάμι: Δύσπεπτη και άνοστη η συμφωνία που σερβίρει η κυβέρνηση

Σε εξέλιξη η συνάντηση κυβέρνησης – θεσμών

How to Make an Impressive May Day Wreath

As May 1st approaches, Greeks are getting ready to make their May Day wreaths, or “stefani” from fresh flowers.

This tradition started as a celebration of Spring and according to the story, the month of May was named after the Roman goddess Maia, which is the Greek word for midwife, nurse and mother.

The May Day Wreath and Its Roots in Ancient Greece

Maios (Μάιος in Greek), the month of May, took its name from the ancient goddess Maia (in Greek Μαία, the mother, the midwife, she who helps to give birth. Maia was the Greek goddess of fertility.

The first day of Maios (Πρωτομαγιά in modern Greek) celebrates the final victory of the summer against winter, the victory of life against death. The celebration is similar to an ancient ritual associated with another minor demi-god, Adonis, which also celebrated the revival of nature.

The celebration of Spring in ancient times was in association with the Anthesteria, a festival held in February and dedicated to the goddess of agriculture Demeter and her daughter Persephone. Persephone emerged every year at the end of Winter from the Underworld. The Anthesteria was a festival of souls, plants and flowers, and Persephone’s coming to earth from Hades marked the rebirth of nature, a common theme in all these traditions.

Germany's Schaeuble says Greece has made good reforms progress

German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble was quoted in a newspaper interview on Sunday saying that Greece has made strong progress toward introducing reforms that could lead to the imminent release of further financial support.

"If the Greek government upholds all the agreements, European finance ministers could complete the review on May 22 and then soon after that release the next tranche," Schaeuble told the Funke media group newspapers.