FÊTES DE FIN D'ANNÉE

In Greece, the end of year celebrations (Christmas and New Year's Day) are celebrated on Saint Basil's Day, January^1st. It is on this occasion that the "Orthodox Santa Claus", Agios Vassilis, gives presents to Greek children who go around the houses singing kalanda. They taste the vassilopita, a bun perfumed with orange blossom inside which a flouri, a coin, is hidden: the one who falls on it will have luck for the rest of the year. Traditionally, the first 4 parts are offered to God, Jesus, the Virgin and the house.