1. Sirtaki
Sirtaki (additionally known as syrtaki) is arguably probably the most well-known Greek dance to non-Greeks. It owes its fame to the movie “Zorba the Greek” (1964) with Anthony Quinn. The eminent Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis created this dance by alternating sluggish and quick steps of two well-known Greek dances, Hasapiko and Hasaposerviko. Thus Sirtaki was born and took its small steps on the massive display! The remainder is historical past… Immediately it is without doubt one of the most well-known and enjoyable Greek people dances that all the time lifts the temper. To bop it, place your arms in your neighbors shoulders and kind a line or circle.
2. Icariotikos
Undoubtedly some of the cherished dances in Greece, the Ikariotikos is a really thrilling and enjoyable dance. It’s a part of “Nisiotika”, the dances that come from the Greek islands (‘nisi’ means ‘island’ in Greek), and particularly from the island of Ikaria. The dance has three completely different phases. It begins with a sluggish tempo after which goes to the second section the place the tempo will increase. Lastly, within the third section, the tempo will increase much more and everybody has to maneuver in full sync to finish the dance. The sooner the tempo, the extra enjoyable it’s, so it is no shock that this is without doubt one of the most well-known Greek conventional dances. It’s carried out in a line or a circle, and the dances maintain palms at shoulder peak.
3. Kalamatianos
One other very fashionable people dance in Greece. It takes its identify from Kalamata, the town on the Peloponnese peninsula. However, it’s well-known all through Greece and is established as a pan-Hellenic conventional dance. Kalamatiano’s dance can be carried out in a line or circle, with dancers holding palms. Its roots might be traced again to historical Greece, all the best way again to Homer!
4. Hasapiko
Mikis’ inspiration to create Sirtaki. Hasapiko is a standard Greek dance that has its roots within the metropolis of Constantinople. Its historical past goes all the best way again to the Center Ages, when butchers carried out martial dances with swords. Thus the identify of the dance (‘hasapis’ means ‘butcher’ in Greek). Like Sirtaki, Hasapiko is carried out in a line or circle, with the dancers inserting their arms on their neighbors’ shoulders. Hasapiko goes from a sluggish to a sooner tempo. The sooner model is named Hasaposerviko.
Trace! Are you visiting Greece and Athens quickly? Take the chance and luxuriate in a Greek dance lesson within the coronary heart of the town from a professional trainer! Dance your coronary heart out and study all concerning the spirit of the Greek dances by experiencing them for your self.
5. Tsamiko
This Greek fold dance has been characterised as Panhellenic, though it isn’t common within the Greek islands. Its roots are traced within the ‘Klefths’ motion through the Greek Revolution firstly of the nineteenth century. The Klefti had been anti-Ottoman, warlike mountain individuals who lived within the countryside when Greece was a part of the Ottoman Empire. Initially solely males carried out this dance. Immediately, girls are additionally concerned. When this occurs, it normally features a ‘double railing’, with males dancing within the outer circle and ladies within the inside. Alternatively, there’s one circle with one male dancer adopted by a feminine and so forth. Tsamiko might be danced by the entire group (that’s, everybody performs the identical step actions) but in addition individually, the place the primary dancer does a solo, improvises and expresses himself.
6. Pentozales
Pentozali is a really enthusiastic warfare dance. It’s the dance of the revolution. Immediately linked to the historical past of Crete and the liberation battle of its individuals. Nothing on this dance is unintentional. Each half (from the music to each step of the dance) is symbolic of their battle for freedom. There’s dancing in a line, the place the primary dancer performs varied strikes, whereas the opposite dancers comply with the essential steps.
7. Chunk
One other Cretan dance, the Sousta is one other very well-known conventional Greek dance which is now carried out throughout Greece. It’s a love dance the place the person and the lady dance reverse one another. First, the dance begins in a circle with a hand grip from the palms and bent elbows. Then the circle begins to dissolve and the 2 reverse scales come nose to nose. Sousta seems to be the traditional dance known as “Pyrrhichios”, however with the entry of ladies into the dance, its character modified and from warlike it turned purely erotic. The dance consists of small steps carried out on the spot or shifting barely ahead, backward, proper and left, with the addition of facet steps and different variations. Two good dancers can simply carry out a love story from starting to finish.
8. Zeibekiko
It is a dance fairly completely different from the above. That is finished by one dancer at a time and would not precisely have particular steps to comply with. It’s a free dance, and it is dependent upon the person dancer’s character. Improvisation is a priceless ability right here and though sluggish in tempo, it has a powerful depth. It was a men-only dance, however immediately anybody can dance to it. Every dancer has his personal figures with which he expresses himself. Additionally, every dancer solely dances to 1 track, solely as soon as. Many instances it’s his personal, particular track and never a random one. Historically (and that is nonetheless a powerful customized in some areas of Greece even immediately) when somebody is dancing, nobody else is allowed to interrupt or disturb him, or dance with him in the identical place.
Trace! In case you are visiting Athens quickly, ebook a Greek dance lesson and learn to dance a number of the above Greek dances.
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