Sirtaki or syrtaki (Greek: συρτάκι)

This is a popular dance of Greek origin. It is not a traditional Greek folkdance, but a mixture of the slow and fast versions of the hasapiko dance.

The name Sirtáki comes from the Greek word:Syrtos, ("σύρω (τον χορό)") which means "drag (the dance)" a common name for a group of traditional Cretan dances of so-called "dragging" style, as opposed to pidikhtos (πηδηχτός), a hopping or leaping

style. Despite that, Sirtaki incorporates both syrtos (in its slower part) and pidikhtós (in its faster part) elements.

Sirtáki is danced in a line or circle formation with hands held on neighbours' shoulders. Line formation is more traditional.

Meter is 4/4, tempo increasing, and often the signature is changed to 2/4 in the fastest part. Accordingly, the dance begins with slower, smoother actions, gradually

transforming into faster, vivid ones, often including hops and leaps. Choreographer of the dance is Giorgos Provias.

Step Tempo Forward Squat and Leaning Back

slow Preparatory step. Step forward on the left foot.

1 slow Swing right foot forward with knee bent, foot about one foot of ground.

2 slow Step right foot in-front of left and squat.

3 slow straighten up from squat, holding right foot forward as in Step 1.

4 slow

step diagonally backward on right foot, knee bent leaning backward with all weight on right and keeping left leg straight and in

same position, heal on ground, toe off ground.

May be repeated once or twice.

Step Tempo Basic Step. Begin on left foot

1 quick Step forward on the left foot.

2 quick Tap ball of right foot next to left heal.

3 quick Swing right leg forward and kick it slightly forward.

4 quick Repeat Step 3.

5 quick Step behind left foot on the right foot.

6 quick Kick left foot slightly forward.

7 quick Repeat Step 5 using opposite footwork.

8 quick Repeat Step 6 kicking with right foot.

9 quick Step obliquely back to the Right on the right foot.

10 quick Step to the Right on the left foot in-front of the right.

11 quick Shift weight back onto the right foot.

12 quick Swing left foot backwards brushing ball of left foot next to right as you swing past.

13 quick Swing left foot forward brushing ball of left foot next to right as you swing past.

14 quick Swing left foot backwards brushing ball of left foot next to right on the Right side as you swing past, thus crossing the right foot

with the left.

Repeat as often as desired.

Syrtaki - Zorbas Dance

The painting inspired by the film "Zorba the Greek"

Background sound - Mikis Theodorakis, music from the film "Zorba the Greek„The illustrations - taken from accessible websitesThe presentation was made by - Anna