This year’s Greek Independence Day celebration did not include the annual parelasi or parade where all community groups could march to commemorate the day.
The Manasis dance group undertook an ambitious goal to celebrate the day, by capturing the geometrical formations of the dance groups from above using a drone. Hundreds of Manasis students participated in the production, and the final cut is due to be released within the coming fortnight.
“Whilst public events and festivals appear to be back in full swing, the logistic and administrative work behind the scenes due to COVID-safe regulations, is still extremely stringent,” the school’s director and instructor Dimosthenis Manasis told Neos Kosmos.
“To obtain such a permit at the present, would require our school to deflect all our administrative efforts away from the dancing itself.”
Photo: Dimosthenis Manasis/Supplied
Photo: Dimosthenis Manasis/Supplied
Photo: Dimosthenis Manasis/Supplied
Photo: Dimosthenis Manasis/Supplied
Photo: Dimosthenis Manasis/Supplied
Throughout the day, all students involved, participated in a large ceremonial parade, as well as performances of the various dances they have been learning throughout the term.
In true Manasis style, the combination of over 30 flags, representing the various regions which gained their independence from the Ottoman Empire, together with an exact replica of the revolution’s banner from the Agia Lavra monastery in Kalavryta, was a sight to behold,” Mr Manasis added.Every student was dressed from head to toe in full traditional costumes, with a very special focus on the national attire – honouring the legendary ‘foustanella‘.
The infamous Gianitsaroi and Boulles of Naousa also made an appearance.
The traditional dances selected for the performance were pivotal to the Revolution; Manasis dance school showed Tsamikos, Sirtos, Tsakonikos, Horos tou Zallogou, with a broad focus on variations from Peloponnese and Central Greece.
“We applaud the efforts of all community organisations, language schools and dance groups who (in the absence of community events) have managed to diversify and conduct their own tributes and events to commemorate the most important day- the ‘birth’ of the Modern Greek State,” Mr Manasis said.
“As a dance school, we are honoured and humbled to have the tremendous support of our students, their families and the wider community behind us with every project that we undertake. With continued support and belief in the vision we have for the direction of celebrating traditions and culture, we will only continue to grow and diversify.”
On Sunday 3 April, 2022, Manasis School of Dance will be performing at the Preston Market, whereby the senior cohort throughout the day will be performing dances centred around the Revolution, as well as a broader focus on Peloponnese, Central Greece, Thessaly and Epirus.
