In ancient Greece, there were more than 200 types of dances. The Greeks considered them a gift from the Gods, combining physical and spiritual attractiveness. Sirtaki, hasapiko and zeybekikos can be distinguished from the directions that are especially popular in our time.
Sirtaki dance
One of the most popular Greek dances is sirtaki. It does not belong to the folk, since it appeared relatively recently (in 1964). The musical accompaniment to it was invented by Mikos Theodorakis. Sirtaki was used during the filming of the Hollywood film "Grek Zorbas". The name of the dance direction was given by the actor Anthony Quinn, who played the main role in this picture. There is a version according to which sirtaki is a diminutive form of the name of the dance direction sirtos.
Sirtaki belongs to travel brands, it is popular all over the world. This dance is a combination of hasapiko and sirtos. It includes all kinds of movements: sharp, smooth, rapid, slow, jumping, sliding of the lower limbs, without lifting them from the surface. The dance is performed by a group. Participants line up in a ruler or circle. The outstretched arms of the dancers are placed on the shoulders of the neighbors. The initially slow pace gradually builds up.
This dance is also known as "zorbas". His movements are quite simple, but as the tempo increases, the steps become more difficult, therefore, in order to have time to carry them out, the performer needs plasticity and experience.
Hasapiko dance
Hasapiko resembles a Romanian choir combined with Cossack dances. This is one of the oldest rhythms that originated in the Byzantine era in Constantinople. Translated from Greek, the name means "butcher's dance." The fact is that butchers lived in the area where the hasapiko was born.
The performance of the dance is always accompanied by singing. Initially, it was danced with weapons. A group of women and men participates in the dance. The soloist is not supposed to be in it. Previously, men performed hasapiko in caps with a raised visor. There are several types of dance: vari-argo, hasaposerviko, politiko.
Hasapiko is considered to be the dance of the warriors. Only a select few units were honored to perform it. Participants in the dance portrayed a warrior, first going out to battle, and then fighting and defeating an enemy. Additionally, hasapiko was used to train soldiers to move silently.
Zeybekikos dance
The birthplace of this Greek folk dance is Ancient Thrace. Zeybekikos comes from the name of the soldiers - zembekids. After the catastrophic events, their descendants moved to Greece, bringing with them the dance of their ancestors.
Zeybekikos is performed exclusively by men. This is the only Greek dance performed solo. Every movement in it is based on improvisation, which allows the dancer to express himself. In ancient times, it was customary to demonstrate weapons during the dance.
