Greek Shaolin Cultural Organization
少林希腊文化組织

On February 3, 2019, the Spring Festival, the traditional Chinese New Year, that was organised by the Greek Shaolin Cultural Organization, the official Shaolin organization in Greece, was held for the first time in Athens at the Wu Yong Chun Academy, hosted by Sifou Pantelias Antonis, in Patra at the Shaolin Center Golden Lohan, hosted by Sifou Fouskarinis Dimitris and in Veria at the Association of Asian Martial Arts of Naoussa and Veria, hosted by Master Kostopoulos Theodoros with the presence of masters, students, members and friends with their families.

At 5pm on Saturday, the organizers began to welcome friends of Shaolin Culture and Chinese Culture in Athens, Patra and Veroia. The events began with a brief greeting to all those attending by the Masters, who thanked the Associations for hosting this year's event and spoke about the Spring Festival, giving everyone the chance to experience this unique Chinese feast and transferring the message that the bonds of the EPOS family are stronger than ever, and that the Shaolin Spirit is spreading more and more in our country.

All friends of Chinese culture and Shaolin culture celebrated in a warm and friendly atmosphere, the arrival of the new year of the Pig, enjoying the rich buffet of salty and sweet dishes that members, parents and friends prepared for the occasion.

There were of course demonstrations by students of all ages and levels, on Shaolin and Shaolin Rou Quan armed and unarmed skills, that gave a rich touch to the new year's pentagram.

With the completion of this year's celebration, EPOS General Director, Mr. Stavridis said shortly before leaving:

I want to thank Master Pantelias Antonis, Master Fouskarinis Mimis, Master Costopoulos Theodoros, all my Associates, my male and female students, as well as the friends of Chinese culture and Shaolin tradition, who helped for another year gathering the Great Greek Shaolin Family and celebrating the Spring Festival as defined by the ancient Chinese custom. The Spring Festival is the moment that marks the regeneration of nature, thought, goals, and life in general. So we, those who have a common course, leave behind situations that have made us sad and exchange wishes, making sure that we can create pleasant memories that will accompany us in the new year, giving the promise not to make the same mistakes again. A promise we intend to honor.

Happy New Year, I wish you good health and lasting prosperity.
[Chin: Gōnghè xīnxǐ, zhù shēntǐ jiànkāng, shìyè fādá. 恭贺新禧，祝身体健康、事业发达。]

The Spring Festival is the most important traditional festival in China and has a long tradition of many hundreds of years. Therefore on May 20, 2006, the State Council of China approved the placement of the Spring Festival in the first series of national intangible cultural heritage. Lunar New Year's Day, widely known as the New Year's Eve, is celebrated mainly by offering ancestors, thanks and wishes, reuniting the family, celebrating the coming of the New Year, and praying for a good year for the family but also for all people.