"Kangelari - a traditional dance" Arta Favorite Tip by elsadran

Favorite thing: Kangelari is a traditional dance in Arta Prefecture, and goes back to the 16th century. In this dance all the people present, both villagers and visitors hold their hands tight by the elbow so that they are close together and form a long line while dancing to the songs of men and women who take turns in singing the traditional verses.. The line is so long that it has to fold or make smaller circles many times like a serpent. The lyrics haven't changed for years and talk about the dance itself and their everyday life. It's a lot of fun and started in the years of the Turkish Occupation when people used it as an excuse so that they could talk to each other about the revolution without arousing suspicions. Another reason was that of human nature...so that the boys and girls touch and talk to each other without being criticised! Hard times for romances!!!
It is danced in all national and religious holidays, especially in Theodoriana. It is usually accompanied by other cultural and religious activities that can last for even a week...such as presentations of videos and exhibitions of photographs telling the history of the place, bands from neighboring areas or countries playing, athletic events.

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