Kosta the Kri-Kri: The Cretan goat putting smiles on the faces of young kids in Sydney

·

Kosta the Kri-Kri is guaranteed to become an internet sensation. He dances to Cretan music, tutors young children and loves playing dress up.

But there’s a catch.

What really makes Kosta unique is that he’s actually a toy goat named after the kri-kri goats found only on the Greek island of Crete.

Kosta the Kri-Kri teaches ‘responsibility’:

Kosta came onto the Greek community scene about seven weeks ago when a Facebook page was launched in his honour.

The mastermind behind the page is 19-year-old Vayia Spanoudakis, who is a dancing teacher of the Cretan Association of Sydney and NSW’s dancing groups.

Vayia tells The Greek Herald exclusively that her idea for the page was simple. She wanted to document the adventures of Kosta as he lives with a different student from the junior and intermediate dance groups every week.

“When I started as a dancing teacher, I wanted to reward the children with something every week. I didn’t want to do chocolates and lollies so we decided to bring in Kosta the Kri-Kri,” Vayia tells The Greek Herald.

Vayia Spanoudakis (left) decided to give Kosta the Kri-Kri to a different dance student every week. Photo: Kosta the Kri-Kri Facebook.

“He teaches them responsibility but also to have fun. That’s why we asked them to take photos with him during the week and we put them on Facebook so we can all see and keep up with his adventures.”

The adventures of Kosta the Kri-Kri:

So far, Kosta has visited the beach with his friends, come face-to-face with a loveable cat and even met His Eminence Archbishop Makarios. But best of all, he’s been named the official mascot of the Cretan Association of Sydney and NSW.

“Everyone loves it! The children get so excited and I find that they listen even more during dancing class as well because I put Kosta at the front and they know he’s watching,” Vayia laughs.

The dancing teacher says that the children also learn more about their Cretan culture by going on adventures with Kosta and this is the most important thing of all.

Kosta the Kri-Kri has even been to the beach. Photo: Kosta the Kri-Kri Facebook page.

“Kosta the Kri-Kri doesn’t look exactly like the traditional Cretan goat but it’s the closest I could find and it still teaches students about their Cretan culture,” Vayia says.

“They know what it is now. It’s not just a goat but the Cretan goat and we teach them the history of Cretan dances as well.

“At the end of the day, it’s just about seeing the children happy and actually wanting to dance.”

And with a soon-to-be celebrity like Kosta the Kri-Kri guiding the children through their classes, there’s no doubt their love for Cretan dance will only continue to grow.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Historic ties remembered as Greece’s Evzones march in Adelaide’s ANZAC Day parade

During a Dawn Service at West Torrens on Friday, April 25, the Evzones stood guard alongside Australian army battalion in remembrance.

Greek glamour meets Aussie pop: Inside the colourful universe of Stavroula Adameitis

Adelaide-born designer Stavroula Adameitis is a creator of bespoke pieces that she describes as ‘wearable art.’

Melbourne seminar to focus on the odyssey of Michel ‘Pablo’ Raptis

Michel Pablo was a twentieth century revolutionary whose life and ideas remain relevant and inspirational until today.

Lawyer Greg Masselos warns NSW workers’ comp changes could devastate frontline workers

Greg Masselos has warned that proposed changes by the NSW government to raise the threshold for claims could have devastating consequences.

Niki Louca shares how to make Focaccia Bread

Niki Louca from My Greek Kitchen shares her favourite recipe for pita bread with The Greek Herald. You can follow her on Instagram.

You May Also Like

835 Greeks in Oceania register to postal vote in European elections before deadline

As of 4:30 p.m. on Holy Monday, 188,511 Greeks from 127 different countries have registered for postal voting in European elections.

NT Government grants land for St Savvas of Kalymnos Greek Orthodox church in Darwin

The government of the Northern Territory has granted land for construction of the new St Savvas of Kalymnos Greek Orthodox church in Darwin.

Dismantled Temple of Boom found in Victorian cow paddock

The Temple of Boom - a large-scale reimagining of the Parthenon unveiled at the NGV in 2022 - has been found dismantled in a cow paddock.