Arts

There is very little ancient Greek art around today.  The items which have survived consist of the following:

• Sculpture
• Architecture
• Coin design
• Pottery
• Gem engraving
From the revolution onwards, Greece also has a plentiful history of contemporary art.

Cinema
Although cinema first appeared in Greece in 1896, the actual first theatre was not built until 1907.  The Greek Golden age of Cinema (the 1950s and early 1960s) saw many Directors and actors become important historical figures in Greece, some of which gained international acclaim.
Language
The Greek language is the official language of the Hellenic Republic. There are a total of 15 million speakers of the Greek language worldwide and the history of the language dates back some 3000 years.
Literature

Drawing out over 2800 years and stretching through several eras, Greece has an amazing literary tradition.  The epic poems of Homer and Hesiod are the first ever recorded works in the western literary tradition. 
  
As a result of the Greek Revolution of 1821, and the subsequent independence of Greece in 1831, came Modern Greek Literature.  As such, this period of Greek literature was greatly influenced by revolutionary themes.

Advancing into the twentieth century, the Modern Greek literary tradition saw the work of Giorgos Seferis and Odysseas Elytis emerge. The Nobel Prize for Literature was won by both of these.

Religion

A major institution in Modern Greece is the Greek Orthodox Church. Its part in overarching Greek culture is very important; a number of Greeks attend Church at least once a month or more and the Orthodox Easter holiday holds special meaning.
Greek Orthodox Churches are situated both in the towns and the villages of Greece. The churches take on an assortment of architectural forms, from older Byzantine churches to more modern white brick churches and cathedral-like structures.
Philosophy, science and mathematics

In Ancient Greece, together with its literary development, came the tradition of philosophy. Greek learning had a deep control on Western and Middle Eastern civilisations. The works of Greek philosophers, including Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, had a profound influence on Classical thought, the Islamic Golden Age, and the Renaissance.
With regard to medicine, Doctors still refer to the Hippocratic oath, considered as the principal in laying the roots of medicine as a science.
In the modern world, Greeks continued to contribute to science and technology. A few examples are shown below:
• Mathematician Constantin Carathéodory went on to assist Albert Einstein in the mathematical part of his theory of relativity. Constantin originally worked in the area of real analysis, the calculus of variations, and measure theory in the early 20th century.
• Biologist Fotis Kafatos led the way in the field of molecular cloning and genomics.
• Greek mathematician and engineer, John Argyris, is responsible for the invention of finite element analysis and the direct stiffness method, relative to physics.
• Dimitris Nanopoulos, a noted theoretical physicist, made substantial contributions to the fields of particle physics and cosmology.
• In medicine, Georgios Papanikolaou contributed greatly to the development of cancer screening with his Pap smear.
• Alec Issigonis, a Greek car designer produced the iconic Mini automobile.
• Michael Dertouzos, a computer scientist, was amongst the pioneers of the internet.
Dance
Stretching from antiquity till the modern era, Greece has a long running and continuous history of native dances, which started in the Minoan period.
It was believed by Ancient Greeks that dancing was invented by the gods. Dance was therefore associated with religious ceremonies.
Dance (as well as writing, music, and physical exercise), was fundamental to the education system. There is periodic evidence in ancient texts which specifies that dance was held in high regard, in particular for its educational qualities.
Greece is one of the few places in Europe where the everyday role of folk dance is continued. Rather than running as a museum piece preserved only for performances and special events, it is a stunning expression of daily life. Occasions for dance are typically weddings, family celebrations, and patron Saints’ name days. Dance has its position in ceremonial traditions that are still preserved in the villages of Greece, such as dancing the bride during a wedding.  More opportunities for family gatherings and dancing stem at carnivals and Easter. Greek taverns hosting live entertainment typically include folk dances in their offerings.
Music

With ancient music having an influence on the Roman Empire and Byzantine liturgical chants influencing the Renaissance, Greece has a varied and highly prominent musical tradition.  Modern Greek music combines these influences together with influences from the Middle East.

Famous present-day Greek musicians include the following:

• Iannis Xenakis
• Maria Callas
• Mikis Theodorakis
• Dimitris Mitropoulos
• Manos Hadjidakis
• Vangelis
• Nikos Skalkottas
• Demis Roussos
• Nana Mouskouri,
• Firewind
• Rotting Christ
• Anna Vissi.