Greek Traditional Dances, Music and Events Added to National Intangible Cultural Heritage List

Bambougera, in Kali Vrysi, Drama. Photo source: Culture Ministry.

The Greek Culture Ministry recently added 10 new elements to the country’s National Intangible Cultural Heritage list, including traditional dances, music and carnival events.

“The new additions to the list reflect the richness and diversity of Greek culture. They are an important tool for protecting and promoting our cultural heritage,” said Culture Minister Lina Mendoni.

Since 2013 more than 100 elements have been registered in the list.

According to Mendoni, the addition of the 10 newly recognized elements highlights Greece’s ceremonies, festivals and traditional arts the time has passed on to the younger generations as part of  the country’s rich culture.

The 10 new elements are:

1. Cretan Syrtos dance

Cretan Syrtos dance. Photo source: Culture Ministry/ Emmanouhl Vestakis Archive.

A traditional Cretan dance that is mainly danced by men. It is believed to have originated in the 18th century and is now part of the repertoire of dance clubs throughout Greece and the Greek diaspora.

2. Mesotopos Carnival in Lesvos

Mesotopos Carnival in Lesvos. Photo source: Culture Ministry.

A week-long celebration that has been held in Mesotopos, Lesvos, for more than 100 years. The carnival includes carnival games, satirical performances in the local dialect, masqueraders, singing, dancing, and the “koudounati“, men who roam the village in groups wearing sheep bells and make up.

3. Cretan Maleviziotis dance

Cretan Maleviziotis dance. Photo source: Culture Ministry.

A lively Cretan circle dance that is danced by men and women holding hands. It is known for its dynamism and intensity and allows lead dancers to improvise and demonstrate their virtuosity.

4. The laments of Virgin Mary in Kopani, Dodoni

The laments of Virgin Mary in Kopani, Dodoni. Photo source: Culture Ministry.

A tradition of singing Easter mourning songs that is revived every Good Friday in the village of Kopani, Dodoni. The songs tell of the lamentation of the Virgin Mary for her son.

5. Bambougera, in Kali Vrysi, Drama

An event that takes place in Kali Vrysi, Drama, in the beginning of January each year. Members of the community, dressed in animal costumes, parade around the village singing and dancing. The event culminates on January 8 with the re-enactment of a satyr wedding.

6. Bandidos and Gaitanaki carnival customs in Arta

Bandidos in Athens. Photo source: Culture Ministry.

Traditional carnival events held in the city of Arta. The events feature costumes, music, and dancing, and are an important expression of the collective memory and identity of the city of Arta.

7. The art of making copies of traditional costumes, as practiced by Nikolaos Plakidas, in Katohi, Aitoloakarnania

Nikolaos Plakidas at his workshop. Photo source: Culture Ministry.

A tradition of sewing and embroidering exact copies of traditional costumes. The Nikolaos Plakidas workshop is located in the municipality of Kaposi, in the prefecture of Aitoloakarnania, and is an example of the adaptation of the art of the Greek seamstress to the modern cultural environment.

8. The festival of St. Peter in Spata

The festival of St. Peter in Spata. Photo source: Culture Ministry.

A three-day celebration that takes place in Spata on June 29. The festival includes a bull sacrifice, a stew made from the sacrificial meat, and traditional dancing and music.

9. The Beis carnival event at Protokklissi, Evros

The Beis carnival event at Protokklissi, Evros. Photo source: Culture Ministry.

A carnival event that is performed by men on Clean Monday in the refugee village of Protokklissi in Evros. The event is an important expression of the collective memory and identity of the Protoklissi community.

10. Kryoneros carols in Kalambaki, Drama

Kryoneros carols in Kalambaki, Drama. Photo source: Culture Ministry.

Christmas carols that are sung in antiphony in Kalambaki, Drama, on Christmas Eve until Christmas Day morning. The songs are an important manifestation of the collective memory of the community of Kalambaki, especially the descendants of the refugees from Kryonero in Eastern Thrace.

According to the culture ministry, the inclusion of the 10 new elements on the list is a significant recognition of the importance of Greek traditional culture and a reminder of the need to protect and promote those traditions for future generations.