Crete

Location

In the rich dance tradition of Crete, we find approximately twenty-four traditional dances. Until a few years ago, most of them were little known and considered "forgotten".

The dance style in Crete is mainly characterized by pride and levity, elements that stem from the general temperament of the island's inhabitants. The dancers move on their toes, with open elbows, hands at shoulder height, chest forward and head always high.

At the same time, both in dance and music there are differences depending on the region, prefecture or province. These differences are related to the natural environment and the way of life of the people. In the coastal areas, where life was connected to the sea and fishing, the style is lighter and "wavy". On the contrary, in the mountainous areas, where livestock farming dominated, the dance has a more intense and "rough" character. These local peculiarities are also reflected in the different timbre of each region, even today, although they tend to be lost.

Info

Dances

Explore traditional Greek dances