Last summer we visited the tiny island Fournoi of Ikaria. What a beautiful and lovely destination. I had heard about the passion the Ikarians have for their traditonal dances but I could never have imagined what I experienced! Never-ending dances until 4 in the morning, the main square of the village constantly filled with people. The Ikarian dance was the protagonist of the night. And not even one of the Ikarians (locals) was getting tired! They invited us to join in, so we entered the circle and started to dance as well. The circle’s energy was unbelievable. This could explain the enthusiasm of all those who decide to learn traditional dances.
I am not sure if it is a result of the recent economic crisis, but lately the cultural heritage of the country is valued and honoured more and more, inside and outside of Greece. The devotion to Greece and its customs – the traditions as well as the language – can be seen in the large amount of independent Greek schools abroad. And it is not only the Greek schools who strive to keep our traditions and heritage alive. There are many organisations with dedicated people who pass on their love for Greece and its traditional dances not just to second or third generations of Greeks but also to Americans, British, French, Germans, Australians, Italians and all Philhellenes in the world. One of these organisations is the team of Figoura LDN founded by the dance teacher Jack Iacovou. Traditional dance classes, festivals and dance nights bring more and more people in touch with our dance history and heritage. The team of Figoura LDN was founded in 2013 and is steadily growing. Every single one of the dancers is an ambassador of Greece and our rich and diverse culture. «Let the dance begin».
