University student shows Greek dancing is ‘more than just the steps’ in video series

·

Greek dancing is one of the most ancient forms of dance, expressed through the agile movement of the feet and passion in the voice. While your feet act as the tools, Greek-American university student Sophia Angeletakis says Greek dancing is more than “just the steps”.

“It’s about speaking with your culture and talking through your ancestors,” Sophia says to The Greek Herald.

The video-sharing app ‘TikTok’ showcases many people teaching cultural dances, such as Spanish or Indian. Yet when Sophia searched the app Greek dancing videos, she found nothing.

Because of this, Sophia has taken it upon herself to educate Greeks and non-Greeks about the cultural significance of each Greek dance, along with showing a few steps.

@letsjustgreekdance

Comment below which dance you want to see next!!🇬🇷❤️ ##greekdance ##greekseries ##fyp ##greektiktok ##greece ##culturaldances

♬ original sound – letsjustgreekdance

“I started the account to teach people about Greek history and culture,” Sophia says.

“It talks about the cultural side of Greek dance and also the history of it, ending with a tutorial of how to do it. So you kind of get a short summarised version and it will introduce you to different styles and regions of Greek dance.”

It’s impossible to go to a Greek wedding or function and not find the entire room dancing the Zebekiko and Kalamatiano. With each of these dances, the steps symbolise and celebrate a unique aspect of Greek history and culture.

Sophia Angeletakis won the top prize in the First Step Grand Challenge competition for her courtyard garden collaboration with Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children.

Having a passion for Greek dance herself, Sophia finds it important to educate the next generation on the history of these celebrations.

“As we all go to the modern age and we’re getting older and kids are learning about Greek culture, they’re learning a lot from other people, and not so much the history side of it. I think its important Greeks educate themselves on why it’s important to keep that culture,” Sophia says.

Sophia’s TikTok account has proved to be popular among people on the app, collecting over 20 thousand views on her account with only three videos posted.

@letsjustgreekdance

Comment below which region/dance I should do next!🇬🇷❤️ ##greek ##greekdance ##greektiktok ##greece ##fyp

♬ original sound – letsjustgreekdance

Sophia has so far presented the Kalamatiano and highlighted the history of Greek dancing in the Pontus region.

“Greek dance is a huge part of Pontian culture,” Sophia says.

“So by summarising it I also want to make sure I’m conserving that authentic history and the trauma those people went through. But also educate people that aren’t Greek about the Pontian genocide.”

Sophia is a student at the University of Delaware and recently won the 2020 George and Margaret Collins Seitz Award for her courtyard garden collaboration with Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children. The “Can Grow” Garden, once an unused courtyard, is now a therapeutic outdoor space for hospital patients and staff that also provides fresh produce and vegetable plants to patients and their families.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

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

Advertisement

Latest News

From crisis to compassion: Timos Roussos and his family’s mercy mission in war-torn Cyprus

When Turkish troops landed on Cyprus on 20 July 1974, six-year-old Timos Roussos was sitting on the floor of his family’s home in Lemesos.

A granddaughter returns: Georgia Georgiou retraces her yiayia’s occupied village in Cyprus

When Georgia Georgiou handed over her Cypriot ID at the border checkpoint to cross into occupied northern Cyprus, she felt an ache.

‘You never get over it’: A childhood shattered by the Turkish invasion of Cyprus

On a warm July morning in 1974, 10-year-old Anastasia Di Loreto (née Karatzia) was jolted awake by the sound of bombs falling on Kyrenia.

Cyprus: The paradox of tolerance and impunity for Turkey

The lack of a unified, systematic and practical strategy on the part of Greece has led the Cyprus crisis into national disarray.

Lost homes and lingering hope: Greek-Cypriots reflect on Turkish invasion and its aftermath

From hidden stories to haunting memories, two Greek-Cypriot men share what it means to carry the burden of Cyprus’ past.

You May Also Like

Greece orders Muslim prayer hall to shut down near Athens

Greece has ordered one of the oldest Muslim prayer halls in the greater Athens metropolitan area to shut down. Saying the facility lacks a license...

Dionysus Theatre Company provides plenty of laughs at premiere of ‘I have a goal, your Honour’

Dionysus Theatre Company opened to huge applause on Friday, September 18, with the premiere of their comedy, ‘I have a goal, Your Honour.’

Greek football rivals to face off in NPL Victoria grand final

South Melbourne FC will face rivals Oakleigh Cannons FC in the National Premier Leagues Victoria Grand Final on Saturday.