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xmelissaa

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I just wanna join in on the fun but Im not too coordinated. Whats best to learn first?
 
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Sta tria, sta dyo, or a tsamiko from thessaly (it's slow unlike how tsamiko is danced in the Peloponnese). Ignore the name "Syrto sta dio" - no one says that, we say "sta dio". You can figure out sta tria and tsamiko on your own by searching videos without instruction, but incase you can't here are some videos. When watching someone dance you want to learn the steps don't look at the leader, look at thes second (sometimes third) person who is after the leader. This is because the leader will usually do figoures (stunts), the second person supports the leader, and the third person is the one who is actually keeping the pace for everyone else.

Something you will notice in the sta tria video is that the men are lifting their foot in the air, and the women are touching their toe to the ground. That's because traditional dances requires men to dance like men and women to dance very ladylike.



 
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Sta tria, sta dyo, or a tsamiko from thessaly (it's slow unlike how tsamiko is danced in the Peloponnese). Ignore the name "Syrto sta dio" - no one says that, we say "sta dio". You can figure out sta tria and tsamiko on your own by searching videos without instruction, but incase you can't here are some videos. When watching someone dance you want to learn the steps don't look at the leader, look at thes second (sometimes third) person who is after the leader. This is because the leader will usually do figoures (stunts), the second person supports the leader, and the third person is the one who is actually keeping the pace for everyone else.

Something you will notice in the sta tria video is that the men are lifting their foot in the air, and the women are touching their toe to the ground. That's because traditional dances requires men to dance like men and women to dance very ladylike.



Yeah this seems pretty simple :) I might give it a try somtime
 
The zybeikiko was for me the easiest because you can actually just do what you want, as long as you put some Greek "touches" on it...

This is a great instruction video - it's all in Greek though!

 
The zybeikiko was for me the easiest because you can actually just do what you want, as long as you put some Greek "touches" on it...

This is a great instruction video - it's all in Greek though!

You can do anything you want as long as you dance on beat. Many people dance zeibekiko wrong because they don't know the beat. You can see Christos and his wife dancing on beat - ironically, despite being famous for dancing, they're counting the beat wrong (it's counted to 9, but his wife only counts to 2). That said, she may only be counting to 2 for simplicity???
 
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You can do anything you want as long as you dance on beat. Many people dance zeibekiko wrong because they don't know the beat. You can see Christos and his wife dancing on beat - ironically, despite being famous for dancing, they're counting the beat wrong (it's counted to 9, but his wife only counts to 2). That said, she may only be counting to 2 for simplicity???
Hmmmm....does it work if you count to 2??
 
Hmmmm....does it work if you count to 2??
The way his wife did it it does. Below, I put how she counted, and in parenthesis I wrote the Greek numbers that should be counted because you're supposed to count to 9 (some Greek numbers represent 2 beats and some numbers represent 1 beat. The numbers that represent two beats will be separated by a dash to break down the word into syllables, or you will see two numbers next to each other)

1-2 (ε-να. 1)
1-2 (δυο τρια. 2 and 3)
1 (τεσσερα. 4)
1-2 (πε-ντε. 5)
1-2 (εξι εφτα. 6 and 7)
1 (οκτω. 8)
1 (εννια. 9)
 
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The way his wife did it it does. Below, I put how she counted, and in parenthesis I wrote the Greek numbers that should be counted because you're supposed to count to 9 (some Greek numbers represent 2 beats and some numbers represent 1 beat. The numbers that represent two beats will be separated by a dash to break down the word into syllables, or you will see two numbers next to each other)

1-2 (ε-να. 1)
1-2 (δυο τρια. 2 and 3)
1 (τεσσερα. 4)
1-2 (πε-ντε. 5)
1-2 (εξι εφτα. 6 and 7)
1 (οκτω. 8)
1 (εννια. 9)
Okay this totally makes sense now, thank you!! I'll just use my own count and I think I should be fine. I do need some practice lol

My Greek isn't perfect, so I know they said something about women dancing zeibekiko (In the beginning of the video I think). Its traditionally a male dance right? But women can also dance it? Are there different ways for women to dance?
 
You can do anything you want as long as you dance on beat. Many people dance zeibekiko wrong because they don't know the beat. You can see Christos and his wife dancing on beat - ironically, despite being famous for dancing, they're counting the beat wrong (it's counted to 9, but his wife only counts to 2). That said, she may only be counting to 2 for simplicity???
I noticed that!!! LOL It drove me crazy a little, but realized they were dancing on the beat. And you're right, there's a notion of "catching the beat" with that dance that not everyone seems to do... For me, that level of understanding of the dance came with experience.
 
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I noticed that!!! LOL It drove me crazy a little, but realized they were dancing on the beat. And you're right, there's a notion of "catching the beat" with that dance that not everyone seems to do... For me, that level of understanding of the dance came with experience.
You're right, I think the more you dance the more you will get the hang of it
 

What is kefi exactly?

I have always found the concept of kefi to be intriguing, and I would like to learn more about it from those familiar or even vaguely aware of this notion. From what little I understand, kefi seems to embody a unique blend of joy, spirit, and passion, deeply ingrained in Greek culture. It's more than just a word; it's a lifestyle, a form of expression, an unbridled enthusiasm for life.

However, I'm curious to know about the deeper nuances and applications of kefi. How does kefi manifest in day-to-day life, not just in Greece, but wherever one might find joy and enthusiasm? Is it something that can be consciously cultivated, or does it spontaneously bloom in moments of happiness and high spirits? It seems like it really permeates the culture, especially in Greece.

Why Greeks Roast a Whole Lamb on the Spit on Easter Sunday?

A quote from excellent posting below!
"John, the author of one of the four Gospels, called Jesus the Lamb of God in John 1:29 and John 1:36. In the story, Abraham had to sacrifice an animal, such as a lamb or a ram, as an important part of the Jewish religion. People offered God restitution for the sins they committed.
However, Christians no longer need to engage in sacrifice because Christ died on the cross for their sins, thus becoming the sacrificial lamb."

Since Pascha, or Easter, is the day when we commemorate Jesus’ sacrifice, we eat lamb in remembrance of this selfless act
https://greekreporter.com/2024/05/0...ast+a+Whole+Lamb+on+the+Spit+on+Easter+Sunday

Thinking about the Greek way of hospitality...

I thought I would ask your thoughts oh Philoxenia - or the Greek way, or art, of hospitality. I noticed this when I travel in Greece. People are so kind, they often go out of the way for us, when I feel that they don't have to! How can one describe this to someone?

From what I understand, Philoxenia is not merely a practice but a deeply ingrained value within Greek culture that extends far beyond the simple act of hosting. It reflects a genuine, heartfelt welcome to strangers, treating them with the same respect and generosity one would show to a dearly beloved friend. This beautiful tradition, passed down through generations, turns the act of hosting into an art form, embodying warmth, respect, and a profound sense of human compassion. There have been so many stories I can think of...

This thought process was triggered because we were watching My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 - someone in the village had taken on a Syrian refugee. Is this a Greek hospitality thing? Philoxenia?

Learning about hospitality in Greece

I was trying to explain to some non-Greek friends about hospitality in Greece. I feel like it's next level, but how do you explain it?

Could anyone help me explain any of the following:
  • Traditional welcome gestures in Greece
  • Common household customs when visiting a Greek home
  • Etiquette for showing appreciation to Greek hosts
  • Any specific do's and don'ts that a foreigner should be aware of

Where did plate smashing come from?

When Greeks feel happy and are dancing and have a good time, they've been known to smash plates. I've seen it! It's not just a tourist thing - but they don't do it much because I am sure they won't want to smash their expensive dish wear.

I was just at a wedding and they had purchased plates to smash - so basically they were cheap throwaway plates that actually smashed really well. I almost wonder if they were made for the purpose...

It got me thinking - where did this tradition come from? Does anyone know?
Share and discuss Greek traditions related to Greek weddings, christenings, dance & holidays!

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