December on Chios Island, Christmas time began and as in many European countries Christmas songs are a fixed part in the culture and the traditions of Greece.
Therefore also at school Christmas songs were part of the music lessons. Our opportunity was to take part in playing the Christmas songs. In detail our tasks were to prepare the lyrics and choose the songs in cooperation with the teachers.
So we leaped the chance to offer the workshop, playing Christmas songs with the children. For sure our goal to improve the intercultural understanding was not ignored. That’s why we offered to sing the songs in different languages.
In the beginning is was a challenge to get used to play the instruments together with the children. But in the end we got used to each other and the songs were well performed by the children.
It was very nice to see the development of the children and for sure even our development. Not only the musical but also the development to sing and play songs which melodies are known across national boarders as a group.
But also Greek culture was highlighted and we learned about the Greek lyrics and we also offered the English and German lyrics. In order to pronounce the German lyrics a translation into Greek letters was necessary but the children were very proud, when we confirmed them that every native German speaker would have understood them.
In conclusion the music and especially the traditional Christmas songs were a great medium to present and share our traditions.
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