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This year, the dance seminar will take us to Thrace (North Eastern Greece) , with a special stop in Ikaria.
We will get a taste of the dances of Western, Northern and Eastern Thrace, focusing on where the mood of the group takes us. We will get acquianted with the lively and dynamic dances of Thrace, but also with the carefree, mezmerizing rhythm and dance of Ikaria. Dances of Thrace such as Zonaradikos, Baidouska, Mantilatos, Synkathistos, full of energy, and the Ikariotikos dance with its own unique identity will be studied for their technique, rhythm and expression.
Our goal is learning, having fun, communicating and integrating the knowledge acquired in the natural environment of dance with respect for the customs and traditions of each society.
* This lesson will be taught primarily in Greek. Terminology will be explained in other languages as well, according to the teacher’s disposal.
Full interpretation will not be provided.
Maria Pittaka comes from Kampos Ikarias. In 2005 she graduated from the Department of Physical Education and Sports Science of the University of Athens with a diploma
majoring in Greek Traditional Dances. She prepared her thesis through on-site research in her place of origin on the subject: "The Ikarian dance-Structural, Morphological and Typological analysis".
In 2002 she attended the musicological conference organized by the Festival Ikarias with the theme "The music, songs and dances of Ikaria". She also attended the conference which was organized by the cultural committee of the municipality of Argyroupoli in the context of the 10th Student meeting with the theme: "Traditional dance in education".
From 1999 to 2011 she was a member of the Greek folk dance team of the Kallithea Municipality’s cultural organization with
Mr. Vassilis Karfis as her dance teacher. Thus, she participated in many dance and cultural events.
From 2005 to 2011 she worked on her subject for many cultural associations and municipalities of Attica,teaching various age groups and supervising the annual music and dance performances. She also had the opportunity to organize teaching seminars at the Hellenic-German community dance club "Amalia" in Hagen, Germany. She has been living and working in Ikaria for the last ten years.