Written by Sotiris Bekas
Carols, colinde, kolednice, colindă, koledari (коледари), koliada are some of the variations of the same word used across the Balkans to describe folk songs of blessing and praise, traditionally sung annually on the eves of major religious holidays such as Christmas, New Year’s Day, Epiphany, and later on Palm Sunday or Lazarus Saturday.
The word “carols” (in Greek, kálanta) derives etymologically from the Latin word calendae (meaning “the calends”) and refers to the first days of each month. However, the calends of January were particularly celebratory days for the Romans due to the arrival of the New Year. Before the 2nd century BCE, the first month of the Roman calendar was March, meaning New Year’s celebrations were held then.
According to other sources, carols are connected to ancient Greek agerma and eirēsionē songs, which had a secular character. However, during Byzantine times, the Church deemed the custom pagan, and participants were referred to as Minagyrtes (month-gatherers). Despite this, over time, carols acquired a religious dimension and became associated with major Christian feasts, particularly those of the Twelve Days of Christmas, which begins on December 24 and concludes with Epiphany.
Beyond their etymology or religious connotations, what is anthropologically fascinating is that carols are beloved and popular songs, especially in rural areas. Over the centuries (as many are very old forms of song), they have absorbed beliefs, traditions, and stories, reflecting their long journey to the present day. This phenomenon is particularly evident in the Balkans—a region where, due to social and political circumstances, urbanization came relatively late compared to Western Europe. As a result, rural areas remained culturally and socially isolated until just a few decades ago. This isolation helped preserve such forms of folk culture as part of local community customs and as identifying traits of specific societies or minorities.
Even today, carols remain highly popular songs, performed annually throughout the Balkans—a region that continues to keep its traditions alive, along with its folk narratives.
For example, in Serbia, the kolac, a type of bread prepared during these days, is mentioned in carols. This bread is blessed and shared among family members or guests. It is part of the Christmas meal, symbolizing unity and community, and is accompanied by the exchange of gifts.
The renowned Serbian singer Svetlana Spajić shared with folkradio.gr her account of carols in the Knjaževac area (along with a recording of these carols):
“This is a ritual song from the village of Ošljane near Knjaževac, sung during the ritual of koledari, the Orthodox Christmas caroling. Two nightingales sang in the green forest, in the house (called lug in Serbian), for the birth of the New God. The Virgin Mary curses the oats for not honoring them: ‘May you not be used for the kolac (ritual bread), may you not enter the church.’ Ošljane is a Torlak Serbian village on the slopes of Stara Planina Mountain, famous for its wine. Ethnologist Dejan Krstić, bagpipe player Bokan Stankovic, and I (Svetlana Spajić) visited the village in the spring of 2004. We were greeted with this song by Zorka Miladinović (1925–2010), a superb singer of the bass-accompaniment line. Stamena Jovanović (1932) used to lead this song, and the singing gathering at her home was unforgettable. Ljubica Đorđević (1920), known for her refined voice, could no longer sing or speak at that time, so Bokan and I sang her own songs to her.”
Dobrila Graseska, a wonderful singer from North Macedonia known for her collaborations with the Chalgija Sound System and as part of the Dobrila & Dorian Duo, sends her wishes to folkradio.gr with carols from the Prilep region. The lyrics beautifully describe the custom of caroling:
Koledica, Barvarica
And after this, Vasilica
It comes once a year for me.
Like flowers in a garden,
Christmas, grandmother, Christmas,
Give me, grandmother, a chestnut.
Farther north, in the greater Cluj area in Transylvania and the Apuseni Mountains lies Ţara Moţilor, where winters are harsh, and seasonal traditions are very strong. The locals, called Moți, are resilient mountain people deeply connected to their land. As December approaches, they prepare for carols and other seasonal songs with great organization. Groups of musicians and singers, traditionally locals and amateurs, dedicate themselves to this tradition. When the time comes, they visit villages, traveling on foot to as many homes or monasteries as possible to sing carols and receive nuts, apples, and local sweets in return. It is a mission they take pride in, and it is considered an honor to be part of such a group. It is particularly moving to be welcomed by one of the region’s old families, sharing a meal with the hosts, which often leads to a private concert where the elderly women sing carols in a semicircle.
In the following recording, Sabina Lăpuște and Maria Roșu sing an old Christmas Carol about a dialogue between a working wonder sheep and the shepherd Traian. Camera/ interview: Thede Kahl, Răzvan Roșu, editor: Valentina Roșu, retrieved from www.oeaw.ac.at/VLACH, ID-number: tran1277ROV0017a.
Farther east in Transylvania, Hungarian communities carefully preserve their traditions. It is a true musical delight to hear their Christmas songs and carols, particularly from the Csangos of the eastern regions. Fortunately, many recordings of great musical value exist. One modern folk singer worth noting is Ambarus Iulian or Ambarus Csángó Gyula from Floresti in Bacau, known for his performances of this repertoire. As a guest of the Kormorán music group, he performs a beautiful Csango carol titled “Ég szülte Földet…”. The lyrics refer to the birth of Christ from the Virgin Mary but also praise the essence of life and the unique nature of womanhood, which connects Heaven and Earth as a life-giving force.
The tradition of caroling is, of course, very rich in Greece as well. Every region has its distinct musical characteristics, which influence these songs. During these weeks, you can listen to a diverse selection of Greek carols on folkradio.gr, which will also present special recordings sent by folk singers from the Balkans. Happy holidays!
