IN THE ENGLISH LESSON
Traditional Greek Games
In recent years there have been many technological advancements and, as a result, many new forms of entertainment and games. Kids nowadays are very happy to spend their time playing the newest video games on their tablets, smartphones or consoles. In my opinion though, it’ s very important to remember the past and learn about the traditional games that the older generations used to play.
First of all, there is hide-and-seek, or“ κρυφτό”( krifto) in Greek, which is still very popular to this day. One person faces a wall and keeps their eyes closed for about ten seconds or more, depending on group preferences. The others must hide before time’ s up; if the seeker finds them, they lose and wait for the next round. The last to be caught wins the round! Traditionally, the first person to be discovered acts as the seeker for the next round. Who hasn’ t hidden under a bed or in the closet just to win one hide and seek round?
Another classic game is known in Greece as“ τυφλόμυγα”( tiflomiga). It’ s like tag, but with a few key differences. The first chaser gest selected randomly, covers his eyes with a blindfold, a towel or whatever is available at the time, and tries to“ tag” the other players, that are spread all over the room or playing area. It’ s very fun, but you can get injured if you are not careful enough. I bet you have hit your head on a wall or a piece of furniture at least once while playing.
All our grandparents played with marbles, called“ βόλοι”( voli) in Greek. They set different targets with whatever they had, whether that was small cans, cups or sticks, stand at a distance and then one by one tries hitting the targets. Whoever hits the most targets takes all the marbles. The rules and the variations differed from town to town and the group’ s preferences. Many children didn’ t like the idea of losing their valuable marbles that their parents had just bought them.
“ Apples” is also a classic one, which remains popular to this day. It’ s usually played with five or more people and it’ s very similar to dodgeball. Two of them stand far apart
facing each other and the other are spread in between them. The two on the ends then start throwing the ball one by one high and the ones in the middle try to catch it. Whoever catches it gets one“ apple”-live. This continues for a couple more times until everyone has at least one“ apple”. After that, they try to hit the ones in the middle with the ball. If they get hit, they lose an“ apple” and if they run out of“ apples”, they lose and wait for the next round, unless someone decides to sacrifice one of their own“ apples” to get them back into the game. Whoever stays last in the middle is the winner.
Although we are in the technological era and spend most of our time on our phone, it’ s very important to remember our past, and games are a big part of it. I highly recommend you, if you haven’ t already, to try at least one of those with your friends or family. You will definitely have a great time and make some nice memories as well.
Argyris Laoutaris, b6
IN THE ENGLISH LESSON
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