The Hellenic dance tradition goes back millennia from the ancient period where dance was a ritual and a pastime referred to by various authors including Lucian, Plato, Aristotle, Plutarch, to the Roman/Byzantine period through the Ottoman Occupation when Western travelers would frequently comment that Hellenes would dance and sing all the time, to more modern times. No country in Europe has had a richer folk dancing tradition that has been as alive and an integral part of daily life as in Hellas, and through it to its diaspora. So, UNLEASH YOUR INNER ZORBA! Join this Sunday, April 2, 2023 at 2 P.M. EST/ 9 P.M. Athens EEST, EMBCA’s “Hellenic Traditional Dance” Panel Discussion Webinar.
The distinguished panel will include Author Prof. Dr. Alkis Raftis, President of the Dora Stratou Dance Theatre; Author/Researcher/Dance Teacher Yvonne Hunt; Stergios Theocharidis, Vice-President and Director of the Dora Stratou Dance Theater Dance ; Teacher/Researcher/Dance Judge & Advisor Joe Kaloyanides Graziosi; and Dance Teacher/Researcher Achilleas Tsiaras.
The event will be Introduced by Lou Katsos EMBCA's President and Co-Moderated by him and EMBCA Director Eric Hill.
The Hellenic dance tradition goes back millennia from the ancient period where dance was a ritual and a pastime referred to by various authors including Lucian, Plato, Aristotle, Plutarch, to the Roman/Byzantine period through the Ottoman Occupation when Western travelers would frequently comment that Hellenes would dance and sing all the time, to more modern times.
No country in Europe has had a richer folk dancing tradition that has been as alive and an integral part of daily life as in Hellas, and through it to its diaspora. Traditional Hellenic dancing has always had a significant social communal function bringing the community together whether for patronal and public feasts, festivals, weddings and family celebrations, Easter, birthdays and namedays, etc.. in Hellas and where Hellenes lived throughout the East Mediterranean each region formed its own style and choreography with thousands of traditional dances being generated over time as well as pan-Hellenic dances which had been adopted throughout the Hellenic world (ie: Syrtos, Kalamatianos, Hasapiko, Tsamiko/ Kleftiko, etc.).
Within the diaspora Hellenic traditional dancing has active enthusiastic participation (in some cases more so than in Hellas itself) by Hellenes by descent, as well as Philhellenes, and a way by many to preserve their Hellenic heritage and culture whether they speak the Hellenic language (a topic for future discussion), or not. Join us as we discuss the fascinating history and world of Hellenic dance.
To join the webinar just click the link below on Sunday
