History of Sirtaki Dance
Sirtaki is a pretty young Greek dance. It consists of fast and slow movements of the ancient Greek dance of the Hasapiko warriors, and was coined in 1964 for the filming of the movie "Greek Zorba". After the translation of the picture in many countries of the world, the spectators' views were riveted to this extraordinary and amusing act. So a new trend was associated with Greece. The movements of sirtaki were invented by the choreographer Yorgos Provias, and the music was written by the composer Mikis Theodorakis.
The history of the origin of the name and one of the main movements of this dance is very amusing. In the movie "Greek Zorba" the main role was played by American actor Anthony Quinn. Shooting the scene, when his hero Zorb had to teach to dance Bezila on the beach, planned for the last day. But the day before, Quinn broke his leg. The shooting had to be postponed until the day when the actor could do without plaster. Since Anthony Quinn was still forbidden to make jumps and sharp movements in the script, the actor found an unusual solution to the problem. Promising the director Michalis Kokoyannis to cope with the scene, Quinn thought of a movement sliding along the sand, which he added with his hands raised.
When Kokoyannis asked the actor what kind of dance he was performing, Quinn joked that this is a Greek folk dance sirtaki, which he taught one of the representatives of the local population. The name "sirtaki" came to his mind by the analogy of the Cretan dance sirtos. By the way, it is his steps that are present in modern sirtaki.
Greek Sirtaki video
Anyone who has ever tried to dance sirtaki, says that in the process of performing a person completely forgets about the environment and simply enjoys moving to music, brought to automatism. Beautiful action can be divided into two parts: the first is slower and quieter, the second is already beginning to accelerate in both melody and movements. This is explained quite simply. As we have already mentioned, Quinn broke his leg and the first dance scenes were removed when he could not yet make confident movements. The second half of sirtaki's dance was filmed already at the time when the actor moved freely and did not bother. Accordingly, all movements began to be carried out at a faster pace. Here we can already see jumps and light jumps in the process of dancing.
Today it is often enough to meet sirtaki performers in national Greek costumes. It seems that sirtaki is a folk Greek dance, but it is not. Just such a disguise of dancers serves as a presentation of the culture of Greece beyond its borders.
Since sirtaki has existed for more than half a century, several variations have appeared, but the main feature has remained unchanged - it is a slow start and a gradual acceleration of the tempo. Sirtaki is a group dance, but performed by people standing in line or forming a circle. If there are a lot of people willing to dance, it is acceptable to create several lines of dancers.
Sirtaki Dance Training
Hands while performing sirtaki are always placed on the shoulders of neighboring dancers from two sides. The upper parts of the hulls of the dancers must touch each other. Well, basic movements are performed only with the help of feet. Steps should be well learned and brought to automatism, so that they are executed synchronously and simultaneously. In addition, the dancers are obliged to watch their hands, as during the action is not allowed to break the line.
The main movements of sirtaki are called:
- Follow-up steps.
- Falls, or as they are called in the common people - half-squats.
- "Zigzag".
The most interesting and spectacular is the movement "zigzag". It is done this way: the dancers are in the same line and put their hands on their neighbors' shoulders. Then they move in a circle or from side to side, as if they cross their legs in the process of rapid movement (running).
Video lesson sirtaki
Learning to dance sirtaki on an amateur level is easy. Many tourists can confirm this, because they themselves are often participants of this dance during a holiday in Greece or just during a trip to Crete.
In fact, it is enough to learn the basic steps, which we mentioned above. An experienced performer, as a rule, is placed at the extreme right, so that he loudly commands which movement must be carried out further. And already followed by less experienced and newcomers. If we are talking about sirtaki on the stage, then the performers simply learn the combinations of the basic movements, and bring them to automaticity, so that the action is maximally synchronous.
Lessons of sirtaki (see video) are in demand today. You can also learn the base at home, and then, together with friends, grind the performance in a group.
If you do not know what to take guests on your birthday or any other celebration, show them a few movements of sirtaki, include the melody of the Greek dance - and a good mood to you and your guests is assured!