April 1 successful galore countries, including Greece, they observe April Fool’s Day – a time of harmless pranks, jokes and “little lies” that should origin a smile, not problems.
This unusual customized has survived centuries and is still portion of mundane civilization – though today it looks very antithetic than successful the past.
Where did April Fool’s Day travel from?
There are respective versions of the root of the tradition.
One of them connects the customized with the Celts, who began the sportfishing play connected April 1. Due to the meager catch, fishermen exaggerated their successes – this is however the wont of “harmless lies” appeared.
A much communal version dates backmost to 16th-century France. Until 1564, the New Year was celebrated there connected April 1, but aft the betterment of King Charles IX it was moved to January 1.
Those who continued to observe according to the aged tradition became the butt of jokes: they were fixed “fake gifts” and made amusive of. Over time, this turned into a stable custom.
Greek traditions
In Greece, April Fool’s Day developed done fashionable beliefs.
Folklorists enactment that lying connected this time was considered a way to support against the evil eye and evil forces.
It was believed that whoever managed to deceive different would beryllium fortunate passim the year.
In some regions, for illustration successful Thrace, the rainfall connected April 1 was considered healing, and water was adjacent fixed to the sick.
As celebrated today
Today the tradition has been preserved, but its signifier has changed.
Practical jokes person moved digitally, with jokes spread done κοινωνικά media and ample companies and media outlets often publishing fake quality oregon fictitious products.
The enactment betwixt gag and misinformation has go thinner Therefore, it is progressively discussed where wit ends and manipulation begins.
Where is the border
Traditionally, connected April 1, lone “well-intentioned lies” are allowed – jokes that bash not origin harm.
It is not customary to gag astir topics related to health, safety, finances oregon idiosyncratic life.
Modern signifier shows that an unsuccessful prank tin origin struggle alternatively than laughter.
A small laughter is besides necessary
Despite everything, April Fool’s Day remains a uncommon juncture to flight from mundane problems.
In hard times, airy wit works arsenic a benignant of “laughter therapy”, allowing you to temporarily trim tension and look astatine what is happening much simply.
Greek (GR) · 
English (US) ·