One that has been written about in TradeWinds on many occasions is the Greek custom of cutting a special New Year cake known as a Vassilopitta (St Basil’s pie). A coin is always hidden in the cake and the person whose slice holds the coin is said to have good luck throughout the year.
The cutting of the Vassilopitta is widespread — from families to offices, clubs and associations.
Hence a gathering of the Hellenic Shipbrokers’ Association (HSA), where even the dire dry bulk market could not dampen the spirits of the attending brokers, who eagerly watched as president John Cotzias sliced away.
A more modern take on the custom was that of the Tsakos group, which notified friends that they could watch the event on live video. Great to be able to see but not quite as warming as actually getting to munch on a piece of cake and hoping that the coin of good luck would be in your slice.
