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The folk dances of the Middle East. The traditional music of the Middle East has been influenced by many different cultures and is a region rich in diverse folk music and dances. Each music ...
Oct 31, 2023 · Each Mediterranean island has specific music and dance forms that are emblematic of its cultural heritage. For example, the sirtos dance of Crete is characterized by its intricate footwork and lively movements, accompanied by the sounds of the lyra and the lute.
What connects 3 continents, 22 countries and legendary empires? It's the Mediterranean Sea 🌊. Said to be the center of the world, the Mediterranean Sea is p...
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- Vasílis Petropoulos
Jun 16, 2024 · Muiñeira. A dance found in the north-western region of Galicia, the muiñeira is an example of the Celtic influence on the local culture in this part of the world. One of the most obvious parallels with Celtic music is the use of a type of bagpipe known as a gaita to perform the accompanying music.
- Sirtaki
- Ikariotikos
- Kalamatianos
- Hasapiko
- Tsamiko
- Pentozali
- Sousta
- Zeibekiko
Sirtaki (also called syrtaki) is arguably the most famous Greek dance to the non-Greeks. It owes its reputation to the movie “Zorba the Greek” (1964) with Anthony Quinn. The eminent Greek composer Mikis Theodorakiscreated this dance by alternating slow and fast steps of two famous Greek dances, Hasapiko and Hasaposerviko. Thus, Sirtaki was born and...
Definitely one of the most beloved dances in Greece, Ikariotikos is a very exciting and fun dance. It is part of the “Nisiotika”, the dances that come from the Greek islands (‘nisi’ means ‘island’ in Greek), and specifically from the island of Ikaria. The dance has three different stages. It starts with a slow pace, then moves to the second stage w...
Another very popular folk dance in Greece. It derives its name from Kalamata, the city of the Peloponnese peninsula. Nevertheless, it is well-known all over Greece and is established as a Pan-Hellenic traditional dance. Kalamatianos dance is also performed in a line or a circle, with dancers holding hands. Its roots can be traced in Greek antiquity...
Mikis’ inspiration for creating the Sirtaki. Hasapiko is a traditional Greek dance that has its roots in the city of Constantinople. Its history goes all the way back to the Middle Ages when butchers performed battle dances with swords. Thus, the name of the dance (‘hasapis’ means ‘butcher’ in Greek). Just like the Sirtaki, Hasapiko is performed in...
This Greek fold dance has been characterized as Pan-Hellenic, although it isn’t popular in the Greek islands. Its roots are traced in the movement of the ‘Klefths’ during the Greek Revolution in the early 19th century. The Klefths were anti-Ottoman, warlike mountain-folk who lived in the countryside when Greece was a part of the Ottoman Empire. Ori...
The Pentozali is a very enthusiastic, war dance. It is the dance of revolution. Directly connected with the history of Crete and its people's liberation fight. Nothing in this dance is accidental. Every part (from the music to every step of the dance) is symbolic of their fight for freedom. It is danced in a line, with the lead dancer performing va...
Another Cretan dance, Sousta is another very famous traditional Greek dance, now being performed all over Greece. It is a love dance, with the man and woman dancing facing each other. First, the dance begins in a circle with a hand grip from the palms and the elbows bent. Then, the circle begins to dissolve and the two opposite scales come face to ...
This is a dance completely different from the above. This is performed by one dancer at a time and it does not exactly have specific steps to follow. It is a free dance and it depends on the character of each dancer. Improvisation is a valuable skill here and, although slow in pace, it has a strong intensity. It used to be a dance for men only but ...
Greek dance (choros; Greek: χορός, romanized: chorós) is an old tradition, being referred to by authors such as Plato, Aristotle, Plutarch and Lucian. There are different styles and interpretations from all of the islands and surrounding mainland areas.
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Middle Eastern and Mediterranean Music Rhythms: Diagrams and Performance Aids. Rhythm, in the context of a culture that favors monophonic (no harmony) music, is rarely a series of beats marching along in a straight line. The rhythm shapes the music with a distinct 'swing' which is often as prominent as the melody, and which sometimes changes ...
