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Zonaradikos – A Greek Traditional Dance From Thrace

The Zonaradikos is a traditional Greek dance from the region of Thrace in northeastern Greece,  and it’s always a favorite among our Omilo students!

During our intensive summer courses on the Greek islands, the Greek dance lesson is a highlight of the afternoon activities. Whether you’re eager to join in and learn the steps yourself, or prefer to relax with a glass of wine while watching your fellow students dance to lively Greek music, it’s always an enjoyable and memorable experience.

Click here to read the article in Greek

It’s no secret that Greeks love to dance, and every region of Greece has its own unique style of traditional dances.

Island dances are typically joyful and rhythmic, often reflecting the gentle flow of the sea.
In contrast, Cretan dances are known for their speed and complexity,
while dances from the mountainous mainland tend to be slower and more grounded, with a heavier feel.

One particularly distinctive category comes from Thrace, in northeastern Greece.
A great example is the Zonaradikos ; a lively and much-loved dance that continues to bring people together, both in villages and on the dance floor during our Omilo programs.

The origin of the Zonaradikos

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A Greek Movie About Eftihia Papagianopoulou – The Greek Female Lyricist

If you’re learning Greek and love Greek music, the film Eftihia is a must-see! This moving biopic offers a unique opportunity to discover the life and legacy of one of Greece’s most influential female lyricists, Eftihia Papagiannopoulou. Watching this film is not only a great way to enjoy Greek cinema but also to deepen your understanding of Greek culture and enrich your vocabulary.

Click here to read the article in Greek

Who Was Eftihia Papagiannopoulou?

Eftihia Papagiannopoulou (1893–1972) was one of the most important female figures in the Greek music scene. She wrote lyrics for hundreds of laika and rebetika songs, many of which remain popular today and are still performed in tavernas, concerts, and festivals all over Greece.

She was born in Aydin, near Smyrna (modern-day Izmir) in Asia Minor, and fled to Greece after the destruction of Smyrna in 1922. Arriving in Athens with her two daughters, she would eventually become a beloved, though often underrecognized, figure in Greek music history.

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Mariza Rizou and her Greek Summer Melodies

Mariza Rizou’s  Greek summer melodies, blend together nostalgic retro vibes and elements from jazz, swing, folk, pop and Latin music. A beautiful and ideal mix, to enjoy in a holiday setting.

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A Greek Christmas Carol, to sing along

What about listening  to a Greek Christmas carol, and/or sing along?
On December 24th, if you are in Greece, do not be surprised when children ring your doorbell early in the morning!

Τhe children go from house to house, singing about the birth of Jesus Christ, while holding their small metal triangles.
Open them the door; it is believed to bring good luck into your home. And do not forget to give them some coins!

Θα θέλατε να ακούσετε τα ελληνικά χριστουγεννιάτικα κάλαντα ή να τα τραγουδήσετε κι εσείς μαζί;
Στις 24 Δεκεμβρίου, αν είστε στην Ελλάδα, μην ξαφνιαστείτε όταν νωρίς το πρωί τα παιδιά χτυπήσουν το κουδούνι της πόρτας σας!
Τα παιδιά πηγαίνουν από σπίτι σε σπίτι και τραγουδάνε για τη γέννηση του Ιησού Χριστού, κρατώντας τα μικρά μεταλλικά τους τρίγωνα.
Ανοίξτε τους την πόρτα. Θεωρείται πως φέρνουν τύχη στο σπίτι. Και μην ξεχάσετε να τους δώσετε μερικά κέρματα! 

If you are not in Greece, but you would like to hear it,  then watch the video below.
That way,  you can listen to it as many times as you want 🙂
But before you sing along,  let’s do a small Greek listening exercise first!
Listen to the song on the video, and fill out the missing words in the exercise, which you can find under the video!

H δασκάλα η Εύα, θα τραγουδήσει για εσάς ώστε να μπορέσετε να ακούσετε τα κάλαντα όσες φορές θέλετε!  

Μπορείτε να τραγουδήσετε μαζί με την Εύα αλλά ας κάνουμε μία μικρή ακουστική άσκηση πρώτα! 
Ακούστε το τραγούδι στο βίντεο και συμπληρώστε τις λέξεις που λείπουν στην άσκηση που βρίσκεται κάτω από το βίντεο!

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Let’s watch a Greek Movie – Christmas Tango

Let’s watch a  Greek Movie; Christmas Tango! It looks like the ideal movie to watch around Christmas!   Here we’re presenting you a Greek drama film, Christmas Tango (in Greek: Το Τανγκό των Χριστουγέννων), which was directed by Nikos Koutelidakis and based on a novel by Yannis Xanthoulis. It is a story about love, loss and vulnerability.

Click here to read the article in Greek

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The Greek Winter Song – By D. Savvopoulos

Did you ever experience a Winter in Greece?  Many people think it is always summer in Greece, but this Winter Song, proves it wrong.
It might be not a known Greek Song, but the singer D. Savvopoulos is  very known !

Not all songs need to be about love, or the pain not to be loved… :-).  And not all songs always tell you the truth!

For example, the big hit “It is never cold in Greece“/ Δεν κάνει κρύο στην Ελλάδα” is a very popular song…but does it tell you the truth ?

At Omilo, we know better, and we have experienced several winters in Greece! Not only in the mountains, but also in Athens…
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A Popular Greek song by M. Theodorakis

A Popular Greek song, which most Greeks can sing along,  is for sure “Varka sto Gialo” – (Boat on the shore.)
Dive into the enchanting world of Greek music with this beloved song composed by Mikis Theodorakis. This timeless masterpiece has garnered a special place in the hearts of Greeks and music enthusiasts worldwide. And on top of that, you can also dance a Greek dance on the rhythm of this song

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Learning Greek songs and singing along :-)

Learning Greek songs is always a popular activity during the 1- and 2 week  Omilo  courses.
There is a reason why we named our Greek Programs “Omilo Greek Language and Culture“, back in 1996!
There is no language without culture, and at Omilo the culture is as important as the language!
One of the activities usually incorporated in our intensive 1- and 2-week programs are “Learning Greek songs”.
Many students learning Greek, started their Greek Language Journey by listening to Greek music.
Greek music is very diverse, and there are many different styles. Impossible to get bored with Greek music!

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Greek Rebetiko Song – Vassilis Tsitsanis

A Greek Rebetiko song by Tsitsanis, brings us some decennia back in time, but stays also very contemporary.
Greeks, whenever they were facing difficulties, which is still something happening very often, have found a way to overcome and even to celebrate!
The following Rebetiko song,  by known composer Vassilis Tsitsanis, is an example of how Greeks deal with difficulties!

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Greek Song by Mikis Theodorakis

Mikis Theodorakis (1925-2021), is one of the most important Greek composers known abroad.

He has composed thousands of Greek songs, (mostly Laika and Entechno style),  symphonic music, music for operas, ballet, and chamber music, etc..

To read more about his life and career, click here.

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