The Dances of Greece occupy a unique niche in the pantheon of the performing arts. Not only have they remained unadulterated over the centuries but also have continued to be in many respects the living organism of a culture that has defined the eloquence of human achievement and advancement.
In ancient Greece dance and song were integral parts of the theater and societal celebrations. The word Choir originated from "Choros". In many a Greek village there was a flat place known as the Chorostasi / Horostasi (Chorostasi) where dances, weddings and other events took place. The term Chorostasi denotes "threshing floor", the place where the threshing of wheat was done, and after the end of harvesting it was clean and empty and hence a natural place for celebration. Therefore, it is claimed Chorostasi gave both the name Choros and the circular arrangement of the movement in the dance.
Yet not all Greek dances maintained a circular dance pattern. Hasapiko (the dance of the Butcher's Guild of Constantinople) made famous by the movies "Never On Sunday" and "Zorba The Greek" is a symmetrical dance not a circular dance, though depending on the number of dancers and the size of the dance floor and the pattern of the movement adapted to the dictates of the environment in which it is danced: more or less a slight curvature in the line of direction.
Greek dance is a social function. Whether political, religious or civic it was and is a folk based physical form of expression, bringing together the community during religious observances such as Easter, Christmas, or in celebration of a wedding, or the completion of the harvest. These dances have been preserved through the efforts of Greek communities in the diaspora as well as individuals who have documented, cataloged and performed these dances in an effort to preserve the history and tradition of a civilization credited for its enormous contribution toward the advancement of human achievement.
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Sourced from Wikipedia Greek Dances HTTP: / / en.wikipedia.org / wiki / Greek_dances
In ancient Greece dance and song were integral parts of the theater and societal celebrations. The word Choir originated from "Choros". In many a Greek village there was a flat place known as the Chorostasi / Horostasi (Chorostasi) where dances, weddings and other events took place. The term Chorostasi denotes "threshing floor", the place where the threshing of wheat was done, and after the end of harvesting it was clean and empty and hence a natural place for celebration. Therefore, it is claimed Chorostasi gave both the name Choros and the circular arrangement of the movement in the dance.
Yet not all Greek dances maintained a circular dance pattern. Hasapiko (the dance of the Butcher's Guild of Constantinople) made famous by the movies "Never On Sunday" and "Zorba The Greek" is a symmetrical dance not a circular dance, though depending on the number of dancers and the size of the dance floor and the pattern of the movement adapted to the dictates of the environment in which it is danced: more or less a slight curvature in the line of direction.
Greek dance is a social function. Whether political, religious or civic it was and is a folk based physical form of expression, bringing together the community during religious observances such as Easter, Christmas, or in celebration of a wedding, or the completion of the harvest. These dances have been preserved through the efforts of Greek communities in the diaspora as well as individuals who have documented, cataloged and performed these dances in an effort to preserve the history and tradition of a civilization credited for its enormous contribution toward the advancement of human achievement.
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Sourced from Wikipedia Greek Dances HTTP: / / en.wikipedia.org / wiki / Greek_dances