A spectacle, pleasure, a means of communication, gymnastics - this is not much that the word “dance” can be characterized with - it helps to better understand the culture of its bearer and brings people together. The dance ensemble "Pontos" of the "Krasnodar Society of Greeks" under the direction of Polikhranidi Anastasia for 15 years (in various compositions), has been actively participating in the life of society, the city and the region.
If you ask a tourist who is going on vacation to Greece if he knows at least some Greek dance, he will answer without hesitation that it is Sirtaki. Moreover, everyone has probably ever tried to perform it, because Sirtaki is a dance that will not leave anyone indifferent, hearing the incendiary rhythms everyone wants to start dancing! Therefore, Sirtaki is called the symbol and calling card of sunny Greece.
Today we want to tell you about the history of this wonderful Greek dance.
How did the sirtaki dance appear? What does this title mean? Why is it also called the Zorba Dance? We'll try to answer! Sirtaki is a relatively young dance, it has never been popular, although very often it is considered as such. It was created in 1964 for the film "Zorba the Greek" by Michalis Kokoyanis, the music for which was written by the famous Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis.
After the release of the film, Sirtaki became the most popular Greek dance in the world, and a true symbol of Greece. In his memoir, Zorba the Greek starring American Anthony Quinn recalls that the final scene, in which Alexis Zorba teaches Basil on the beach to dance, was supposed to be filmed on the very last day. However, Quinn had broken his leg the day before. When filming resumed a few days later, Quinn could do without a cast, but he was unable to dance like the script called for.
Quinn recalls: “And I was dancing. I could not lift my leg and lower it - the pain was unbearable - but I found that I could drag it without much discomfort. Thus, I came up with a dance with an unusual sliding-pulling step. I would stretch out my arms, like in traditional Greek dances, and shuffle across the sand.” Subsequently, Cacoyannis asked him what the name of this dance was. Quinn replied, “This is Sirtaki. Folk dance. It was taught to me by one of the locals.”
So, with the light hand of a 100% American, the most popular Greek dance, Sirtaki, was born! Quinn was not disingenuous, the dance performed by him could not appear on its own, it became a combination of slow and fast versions of Greek folk dances - the slow "syrtos" and another Cretan folk dance - "pidihtos", lively and rhythmic. Indeed, sirtaki begins, like sirtos, slowly, and then gradually becomes more and more lively and energetic. Several people are dancing sirtaki, who put their hands on the shoulders of the neighbors on the left and right. They start with slow, smooth movements and gradually move on to fast and sharp ones, sometimes with jumps and jerks. Sirtaki also has elements of Khasapiko, an ancient butcher's guild dance that was very popular in Constantinople and western Asia until the early 20th century.
As for the word “sirtaki” itself, it is based on the name of the Cretan dance, and translated from Greek “sirtaki” means touch, which is also its integral characteristic.
The new dance has become a symbiosis of two choreographic directions and a vivid expression of the Greek national character. It is no coincidence that the mayor of the city of Athens once said: “The Greeks live according to the principle of sirtaki: they start (any business) slowly, then faster and faster, and, in the end, they reach incredible speed.”
In the vocabulary of culture and art, there are many terms and words that have come to us from other languages. Among them, one can name the word "sirtaki". What is "sirtaki"? Where did this word come from? This is what we will talk about today.
Sirtaki as a term in art
This word came to us from Greece as the name of the national group Greek dance. In Greek, the word means "to touch". The dance is characterized by a gradual increase in tempo from slow and calm to very moving. This is the hallmark of Greek culture.
Sirtaki: history
Many mistakenly classify the sirtaki dance as an ancient folk dance. However, you will be surprised to learn that this dance is not at all folk, but quite authorial. And its author is movie actor Anthony Quinn.
The second surprise for you will be that this dance is not originally Greek at all, but American, since Quinn is not a Greek, but an American, filmed in 1964 by the Greek director Michallis Kakkoyannis. True, the film dealt with the Greek theme. And the actor had to perform a Greek folk dance by the sea. But Quinn broke his leg, and it was not only difficult for him to dance a fast Greek dance - it was impossible. So he came up with a new dance based on the simple rhythmic movements of Greek folk dances in his slow version. The film was filmed for a long time. During filming, Quinn's leg healed. And he was already able to perform the second part of the dance quickly. The music for the sirtaki Kuina dance was also written specifically in connection with the need. It was written for Zorba the Greek by the Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis.
But what about the director, did he really not know that such a dance does not exist? Apparently, Kakkoyannis was very trusting, as he believed the arguments of the actor, who said that local residents told him about this dance. Didn't he double-check with them what sirtaki is, is there really such a dance in the culture of the Greek people? It is possible that we will never find the answer to this question.
By the way, about the name of the dance. And it is attributed to Quinn's fantasy: supposedly this is a "small" (reduced) version of the traditional Cretan dance sirtos.
Sirtaki: performance technique
Most often, the sirtaki dance is performed by a group of people standing in one line and holding outstretched arms by the shoulders of their neighbors. It happens that part of the dance is performed in a circle, but, as a rule, this is an exception. In the case of participation in the dance of a large number of people, the dancers are arranged in several lines.
The dance is performed only with the feet, while the bodies and arms of the dancing sirtaki remain motionless. With the help of a strong grip of the hands, the dancers maintain the line of dance.
The rhythm of the dance is clear, in four quarters, and with a fast one - in two quarters. The legs perform movements absolutely synchronously: the traditional zigzag cross step, side steps, squats and half squats, lunges. If we analyze the features of the movements used in the dance, the Greeks noticed that in the first part of the sirtaki dance, the traditional movements of the Cretan folk dance group sirtos were used, and in the second - fast part - elements of another group of Cretan dances - pidikhtos, including jumps and jumps.
In order to hear the rhythm of the dance well during the performance, the dancing sirtaki put on special hard-soled sandals on their feet.
Types of modern sirtaki
One of the most common variants of sirtaki in modern Greece was born on the basis of the Athenian hasapiko dance. What do hasapiko and sirtaki have in common? First, the music. Secondly, the linear form of dance. True, both dances do not involve the arrangement of a large number of people in one line. There should be no more than three. If there are more dancers, then they line up in parallel lines. Thirdly, a whole range of movements, especially similar in the fast part of the dance.
There is a version that hasapiko was previously a military dance. It was used as a pantomime to prepare for combat and to teach silent combat, such as approaching an enemy. And also conveyed the features of the battle by the Greeks.
The second version of sirtaki is zorbas, which does not consist of two parts, but of three or four. All parts are characterized by a change in rhythm and tempo. In the slow part, the movements are similar to sirtaki, and in the fast part, to hasapiko. Moreover, the movements during the dance can be changed and combined by the dancers improvisationally, by transferring the “impulse” to the neighbors with their shoulders: after all, their bodies are tightly pressed against each other.
There is another dance that is very reminiscent of sirtaki - naftiko. It is danced by Greek sailors, and it is very reminiscent of the Russian apple. The original dance for naftiko was the ancient folk dance Makkelarikos, from which the Hasapiko dance later grew.
Sirtaki today
What is sirtaki for the Greeks now? Now the Greeks like this dance so much that they consider it equal to other national traditional dances and dance it with pleasure at the holidays. Photos of sirtaki are presented in the article.
In the case when you need to acquaint guests with Greek culture, it is performed in Greek national costumes.
Today there are a large number of options for the execution of sirtaki. The Greeks call the author of the dance the Honorary Greek, and his dance is the dance of Zorba. And sirtaki are danced not only in Greece, but also in many countries of the world. For example, in the USA back in the late 1960s, sirtaki were performed in a number of nightclubs. And in Russia, sirtaki is one of the brightest numbers of ballet theaters and dance ensembles, for example, the Moiseev Ensemble, the Gzhel Dance Theater.
So what is sirtaki? For some, this is an amazing phenomenon of the dance culture of the 20th century, which captured the whole world with its energy. For others, it is a way of ethnic self-identification. For the third - the opportunity to find like-minded people and share with them a positive charge received from the joint detachment from the surrounding reality and absolute immersion in the rhythm of the dance, which embraces completely. And what is sirtaki for you?
The Sirtaki dance appeared in 1964 on the set of the Hollywood film Zorba the Greek. The dance music was written by Mikis Theodorakis specifically for the film. The name was invented by Anthony Quinn, and the style of movements was changed by him to suit the character of his hero and the injury received on the eve of filming.
So, in the game and creativity, thanks to the professionalism and dedication of the film team, a miracle happened - a sunny, inspiring dance, full of joy and love for life.
historical roots
The sirtaki movements are based on the hasapiko movements, a real Greek folk dance. In it, 2000 years ago, warriors imitated (and trained) how to covertly get close to the enemy and defeat him in battle. They achieved a smooth and silent movement, guiding each other only by touch.
This masculine character, adorned with harmony and naturalness of movements, hasapiko still retains.
example of craftsmanship and style
Suite of Greek dances.
Ensemble of Igor Moiseev. Music by Mikis Theodorakis.
- Male zorba dance
- Dance of the girls
- General round dance
- Male dance in fours
- General final dance
sirtaki on the island
We are dancing a circular version of the dance, which Gleb learned from Valery Stepanovich Tsapko-Sapko and which he later taught to everyone he met at Ostrov classes and parties.
During this time, for different occasions and occasions, their own variations of sirtaki appeared - to keep warm, to work out and just for fun. But the most mesmerizing impression arises when sirtaki is performed in several concentric circles moving towards each other, just as the waves of the sea meet, part and play with each other.
music
The music of the dance consists of two parts - slow and fast. But the tempo of the composition is growing continuously, and the intrigue and jubilation of the dance are also continuously growing.
No matter how much we repeat this dance, it does not lose its power to fascinate with movement and does not cease to please the participants with a pleasant, well-deserved victory in the final.
(mp3, 128 kbps, 44100 Hz, 3.84 Mb)
You may not remember its name, but perhaps everyone knows the melody to which sirtaki is performed, as well as the dance movements themselves. Sirtaki seems to be something primordially Greek, ancient, ancient. Nevertheless, the dance, like the music for it, has very real authors - including the Mexican-American Anthony Quinn.
"Zorba the Greek"
Sirtaki first appeared in the final scene of Zorba the Greek, released in 1964. The film was based on the book of the same name by Nikos Kazantzakis and was directed by Michalis Kakoyannis.
According to the plot of the film, Basil, an Englishman of Greek origin, comes to Greece, his goal is to receive the inheritance that was left to him in Crete. He meets Zorba, a cheerful and offhand local, who convinces Basil to go to the island together. And then the heroes have to face the mores of the Cretans, both hospitable and cruel, and all this is accompanied by Zorba's infectious smile and his eccentric, impulsive actions.
The main role in the film was played by Anthony Quinn, who was nominated for an Oscar for it. Quinn taught his screen friend, and with him the whole world, to perform sirtaki.
Leg injury and choreography
At the end of the film, Zorba shows Basil how to dance the Greek dance. The movements were predetermined by chance: on the eve of filming the scene, Anthony Quinn badly injured his leg - so that he could not make any sudden movements, like jumping and swinging his legs.
“And I danced. I could not lift my leg and lower it - the pain was unbearable - but I found that I could drag it without much discomfort. Thus, I came up with a dance with an unusual sliding-pulling step. I would stretch out my arms, like in traditional Greek dances, and shuffle across the sand.”
Quinn later said that he learned the dance from the Greeks, and it is called sirtaki. "Sirtaki" is a diminutive form of "sirtos", and this is the name of the ancient dance rhythm in Crete.
The music for the dance was written by composer Mikis Theodorakis.
National dance?
Now, half a century later, sirtaki is already so strongly associated with Greek culture that its history fades into the background. The dance is also performed in ancient Greek costumes, as well as a similar old dance "hasapiko" - which was performed by warriors before the battle. Sirtaki dance standing in a line or in a circle, putting straightened arms on the shoulders of neighbors. The pace of the dance gradually increases - from very slow and smooth movements to sharp jumps.
Interest in sirtaki does not fade away. In 2012, a record was set - 5164 participants danced at the same time at a special event organized in the Greek Thessaly, sirtaki. Therefore, the brainchild of Anthony Quinn and Mikis Theodorakis has fully earned the right to be considered popular.
The dancers who perform sirtaki claim that in the process of dancing the surrounding ceases to exist, only movement remains, reaching automatism, and the rhythm, captivating, bewitching and not letting you stop
Sirtaki is often considered the hallmark of Greece, although this dance is not a folk dance. Reflecting national characteristics and organically fitting into Greek culture, sirtaki has become a kind of symbol of this country. The mayor of the city of Athens once expressed the idea that the Greeks in life can be traced the principle of sirtaki: a slow start, then faster and faster until they reach incredible speed.
History of occurrence
During the filming of Zorba the Greek in 1964, American actor Anthony Quinn had to perform a traditional Greek dance on the seashore. During filming, he broke his leg, and when the cast was removed, the actor could not perform fast and bouncing movements. The resourceful mummer replaced the movements with slow and gliding ones, thanks to which the foot could be “dragged” along the sand. And he simply misled the director of the film, Michalis Kakoyannis, saying that this dance was shown to him by the locals and that it was truly Greek. For greater persuasiveness, the name was also coined in consonance with the existing Cretan dance sirtos - sirtaki ("little sirtos"). The music for the dance was written by the Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis.
Sirtaki in Greek means "touching" and in fact has similar features to the traditional Greek dance hasapiko - the dance of the butchers. In hasapiko the same slow, fairly monosyllabic and simple movements. Sirtaki, on the other hand, gradually accelerates in the second part, where the nature of the movements also changes significantly. This also has an explanation. After all, the aforementioned film was filmed for a long time, so at the end of filming, Anthony Quinn was already able to move without any restrictions. And he already performed the second part of the dance in the tradition of pidichos, a Greek dance with jumps and jumps.
With the release of the film, the dance in many countries really began to be perceived as Greek. The Greeks themselves also fell in love with it and call it the “Zorba dance” in honor of the main character. After the release of the film, the performer of the role of Zorba, the American Queen, was even awarded the title of Honorary Citizen of Greece.
Currently, sirtaki can be seen performed in Greek national costumes, but usually such an act serves only as a presentation of Greek culture outside the country itself.
During the existence of sirtaki, a lot of variations of the dance appeared, but its main features - a slow start, an acceleration of the tempo from the beginning to the end of the dance - remain unchanged.
What is sirtaki?
Sirtaki - group dance. Dancers become in one line, less often - in a circle. If there are many dancers, there may be several lines. The arms are stretched out and placed on the shoulders of the neighbors, the bodies of the dancers in the upper part are in contact. The main movements are carried out with the legs. The hands, on the other hand, play a connecting role and during the dance they should not disengage so that the line of dancers does not fall apart. Leg movements are synchronous and simultaneous.
The main movements are divided into 3 groups: side steps, half-squats and lunges, "zigzag". The last movement is most impressive when the dancers cross their legs and quickly, almost running, zigzag in a circle.
Sirtaki Features
The musical size of the dance is 4/4, but as the tempo increases, it can change to 2/4.
