2. Greek folk dancesGreek folk dances
Greece is one of the few countries in the world, where folkGreece is one of the few countries in the world, where folk
dances are as alive today as they were in ancient times.dances are as alive today as they were in ancient times.
Dance has always played an important role in theDance has always played an important role in the lifelife
greeks.greeks. The Greeks danced at religious festivals,
ceremonies, they danced to prepare for war,to celebrate
victories e.t.c

3. ΘράκηΘράκη((THRACE)THRACE)
Thrace is particularly rich in dancing with a wide variation in handThrace is particularly rich in dancing with a wide variation in hand
holding positions. Their dances are lively and generally energetic.holding positions. Their dances are lively and generally energetic.
The instruments common to this region are the bagpipe (gaida) and theThe instruments common to this region are the bagpipe (gaida) and the
lyra. The most popular dances are Zonaradikos, Souflioutouda,lyra. The most popular dances are Zonaradikos, Souflioutouda,
Apadiasteite sto Xoro, Kastrinos, Sfarlis, Syngathistos, Podaraki,Apadiasteite sto Xoro, Kastrinos, Sfarlis, Syngathistos, Podaraki,
Stis Treis and Baintouska.Stis Treis and Baintouska.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vwxxjn4hhZ8https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vwxxjn4hhZ8

4. ΘεσσαλίαΘεσσαλία(THESSALY)(THESSALY)
Thessaly retains a strong tradition of song-dances where the dancersThessaly retains a strong tradition of song-dances where the dancers
sing the music, often without instrumental accompaniment . Thesing the music, often without instrumental accompaniment . The
dances are slow and controlled. The main dances are Sta Tria,dances are slow and controlled. The main dances are Sta Tria,
Kalamatianos, Klistos, Svarniara, Karagouna, Tai-Tai and PilioritikosKalamatianos, Klistos, Svarniara, Karagouna, Tai-Tai and Pilioritikos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sy7fcF7CLOhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sy7fcF7CLO

5. ΜακεδονίαΜακεδονία(MACEDONIA)(MACEDONIA)
Macedonia has an especially rich folk culture.Macedonia has an especially rich folk culture.
The variety is partly due to its geographical position whereThe variety is partly due to its geographical position where
it borders with the Balkans. The main dances are Gaida,it borders with the Balkans. The main dances are Gaida,
Leventikos, Nikolos, Akritikos, Baidouska, Partalos,Leventikos, Nikolos, Akritikos, Baidouska, Partalos,
Kastorianos, Omorfoula, Nizamikos, Sire Sire, Boimitsa,Kastorianos, Omorfoula, Nizamikos, Sire Sire, Boimitsa,
Antikristos and Mikri EleniAntikristos and Mikri Eleni..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laijse6X1vQhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laijse6X1vQ

6. ΉπειροςΉπειρος (Epirus)(Epirus)
• Syrtos in the three danced in many parts of Greece, butSyrtos in the three danced in many parts of Greece, but
mainly in Epirus. This dance is dancing by men andmainly in Epirus. This dance is dancing by men and
women and characterized by slow and continuous clasp.women and characterized by slow and continuous clasp.
• Most famous dances in Epirus are :Most famous dances in Epirus are : ΓιατρόςΓιατρός (giatros)(giatros)
ΚοφτόςΚοφτός (koftos)(koftos) Ο ΜενούσηςΟ Μενούσης (o menousis)(o menousis)
ΖαγορίσιοςΖαγορίσιος (zagorisios)(zagorisios) ΜπεράτιΜπεράτι (berati)(berati)
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45ZvckZfPR0https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45ZvckZfPR0

7. ΣτερεάΣτερεά
Sterea is a part of Greece where the traditional dancesSterea is a part of Greece where the traditional dances
are:Tsamikos(Tare:Tsamikos(Tσάμικος-σάμικος-male dance, from the mostmale dance, from the most
upstanding Greek traditional dances)upstanding Greek traditional dances)
Syrtokalamatianos(Syrtokalamatianos(ΣυρτοκαλαματιανόςΣυρτοκαλαματιανός --καγκέλι)καγκέλι),,
Koulouriotikos(Κουλουριώτικος) ,
Xatzixristos(Χατζηχρήστος)

8. ΠελοπόννησοςΠελοπόννησος
Peloponnesus is thPeloponnesus is th ee oldest part ofoldest part of
modern Greece as we know it today.modern Greece as we know it today.
Their main dances are Kalamatianos,Their main dances are Kalamatianos,
Tsakonikos and Kariatidon.Tsakonikos and Kariatidon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=PLuZmCPU77M

9. Ν.Ν. AAιγαίου (ιγαίου (Aegean’s Islands)Aegean’s Islands)
• Generally dances of the islands of the Aegean are wavy.Generally dances of the islands of the Aegean are wavy.
Characteristic features of the Aegean islands, is the "lightness"Characteristic features of the Aegean islands, is the "lightness"
observed in the execution of movements, the use ofobserved in the execution of movements, the use of
"soustarismatos" becoming knees, leaps of the first of the dance"soustarismatos" becoming knees, leaps of the first of the dance
made ​​low and parallel to the ground and the large observedmade ​​low and parallel to the ground and the large observed
variation in expression. Also we have an accent on the first andvariation in expression. Also we have an accent on the first and
fourth stepfourth step
• Most famous dances in Aegean are :Most famous dances in Aegean are : ΜπάλοςΜπάλος (balos)(balos) ΣΟΥΣΤΑΣΟΥΣΤΑ
ΒΟΛΙΣΣΟΥ (ΒΟΛΙΣΣΟΥ ( sousta volisou)sousta volisou)
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVQxsO4sI7ohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVQxsO4sI7o

10. ΔωδεκάνησαΔωδεκάνησα (Dodekanese)(Dodekanese)
• The dances of DODEKANESE follow the same rate withThe dances of DODEKANESE follow the same rate with
other Aegean islandsother Aegean islands
• Most famous dances are :Most famous dances are : ΓαϊτανάκιΓαϊτανάκι
ΡόδουΡόδου(gaitanaki Rodou)(gaitanaki Rodou) ΙκαριώτικοςΙκαριώτικος
(ikariotikos)(ikariotikos) Σούστα ΚωΣούστα Κω (sousta Ko)(sousta Ko)
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?https://www.youtube.com/watch?
feature=player_embedded&v=5Aacv0lSp0Ifeature=player_embedded&v=5Aacv0lSp0I

11. Ν.Ν. IIονίουονίου (Ionian Islands)(Ionian Islands)
• The west and mainly the Italian influence, affected theThe west and mainly the Italian influence, affected the
musical and dancing development of the Ionian Islands. Themusical and dancing development of the Ionian Islands. The
Ionian kantada owes the structure of the melody of ItalianIonian kantada owes the structure of the melody of Italian
influences.influences.
• Most famous dances are :Most famous dances are : Άη Γιώργης (Άη Γιώργης ( ai giorgis)ai giorgis)
ΚερκυραϊκόςΚερκυραϊκός ή Ρούγα (ή Ρούγα (kerkiraikos or else rouga)kerkiraikos or else rouga)
ΜηλιάΜηλιά (milia)(milia) ΜπάλοςΜπάλος Κεφαλονιάς (Κεφαλονιάς (balosbalos
Kefalonias)Kefalonias)
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ue793Ko7Srghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ue793Ko7Srg

12. Kρήτη (Kρήτη (CreteCrete ))
• The traditional dances of Crete is sometimes fast and sometimes slow,The traditional dances of Crete is sometimes fast and sometimes slow,
but always dynamic and imposing. The firstbut always dynamic and imposing. The first of the cycle, usually aof the cycle, usually a
man, is based on the secondman, is based on the second΄΄s man right-hand and developss man right-hand and develops withwith
great skill unique figures, the famous "talimia.“great skill unique figures, the famous "talimia.“
• On the island there is a wide variety of organic melodies and songs.On the island there is a wide variety of organic melodies and songs.
World known are "mandinades", rhyming couplets in iambic fifteen-World known are "mandinades", rhyming couplets in iambic fifteen-
syllable lyrics with periechoemno erotic, satirical, etc. The best knownsyllable lyrics with periechoemno erotic, satirical, etc. The best known
traditional musical instrument is Lyra. Lyra is playing by a bow.traditional musical instrument is Lyra. Lyra is playing by a bow.
• Famous dances of Crete are : Haniotis (Famous dances of Crete are : Haniotis (Χανιώτης)Χανιώτης) SoustaSousta (Σούστα)(Σούστα)
PentozalisPentozalis (Πεντοζάλης)(Πεντοζάλης)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YwmVhAlTKghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YwmVhAlTKg