The Club

The club was founded in Zakynthos in 1964 at the initiative of the physical education teacher Aggelos Visvardis. His primary goal was to document all of the traditional dances and songs of Zakynthos and transmit them to younger generations.

Through systematic research, the club managed to rescue forgotten dances of our popular tradition, some of which are:

  1. Amoiri“, imitative dance that was danced in the mountain village of Agios Leontas, mainly during the Halloween season
  2. Giargittos“, ancient dance that only a very few elderly people could remember and luckily describe.

For the first time, the club presented dances and songs from Zakynthos with authentic folk dancers and instrumentalists, at the “First Meeting of Medieval & Folk Theatre” held in Zakynthos in 1965.

Important was the participation of the club in the island of Lefkada in 1967 in the “Festivals of Speech and Art”, where it presented the ancient dance “Giargittos” or “Dance of Theseus” with the founder of the association, Aggelos Visvardis, as the lead dancer.

In the years that followed the club developed rich artistic activity.

  • Taught traditional dances in the schools and villages of Zakynthos.
  • Presented dances and songs at various cultural events throughout Greece.
  • Came into contact with cultural associations of expatriate Greeks and took part in events organized for them in the USA and Canada.
  • Participated in many festivals of traditional dances abroad (France, Spain, etc.).

Nowadays, the group continues with the same original passion, dealing with traditional dances and songs not only of Zakynthos, but also of Eptanisos and Greece in general.

  • It holds teaching classes for primary and secondary school students as well as for adults of all ages
  • It participates in cultural events in Greece and abroad.

The members of the club, motivated solely by the love of “tradition”, continue to work for the documentation and dissemination of our morals and customs.

Our goal is to pass them on to the younger generations.

Activities

Below there is a list of some of the participations - activities of our club, in events and festivals inside and outside Greece.

1965

  • Participation in the "First Meeting of Medieval & Folk Theatre". First appearance of the group and first presentation of Zakynthian dances. (Zakynthos)

1966

  • Participation in the "Second Meeting of Medieval & Folk Theatre". Zakynthos.

1967

  • Participation in the "Speech and Art Festivals of Lefkada". Lefkada

1969

  • Participation in the events for the Pan-European Games in Athens. Performances at Kallimarmaro stadium and Karaiskaki stadium. (Athena)
  • Participation in the Thessaloniki International Exhibition.

1973

  • Participation in events in Solomos Square with the band of the Pancretian Union. Zakynthos.

1974

  • Performance at the Veakeio Theater invited by the Zakynthian club of Athens. Piraeus.

1975

  • Participation in the International festival of OVIEDO. Spain.

1976

  • Participation in the Celebrations for the handover – receiving of the Montreal Olympic flame. Filming of the "Giargittos" dance by Canadian television. Ancient Olympia.

1979

  • Participation in the CHAROLLES International festival. France.

1980

  • Participation in the International festival of STRASBOURG. France

1983

  • Participation in the opening events of the Outdoor Municipal Theater of Zakynthos.

1984

  • Participation in the DIJON International festival. France

1986

  • Organization of cultural events in Seattle. USA

1989

  • Organization of cultural events in MONTREAL. Canada

2004

  • Performance for the Anniversary of the Union of the Ionian Islands. Zakynthos.
  • Participation in the International festival of PORT SUR SAONE. (France)

2005

  • Performance at carnival events in Pantokratoras village. (Zakynthos)
  • Participation in the ISSOIR International festival. (France)

2006

  • Participation in the AGROTICA exhibition. (Thessaloniki)
  • Participation in the International Tourism Exhibition in Paris. Presentation of Zakynthian dances. (France)
  • Organization of a musical event for Ag. Mavra in the Byzantine Museum of Zakynthos. (Zakynthos)
  • Participation in the events for "World Mother's Day". Presentation of children's section. Keri Zakynthos.
  • Participation in the "KARAISKAKEIA" International festival. (Karditsa)
  • Participation in the International festival of TIMISOARA. (Romania)
  • Presentation of Zakynthian dances in collaboration with the cultural association of "PLATIFOROS" in Ag. Marina. Fagias Zakynthos.

2007

  • Performance at Carnival events in Lithakia with the local cultural association. Zakynthos.
  • Performance at the cultural events of "ARTEMISIA 2007" - Vougiato Zakynthos
  • Visit and performance for the Greek political refugees in the village of Nikos Belogiannis - Budapest Hungary.

2008

  • Participation in the CASTELLON International festival dedicated to the Kingdom of Aragon. Spain.
  • Visit to the city of Sagunto at the invitation of the cultural association Chentro Archeologico Saguntino and contacts with the Municipal Authority of the city. Spain.
  • Participation in cultural events of the Municipality of Alykes. Katastari Zakynthos.
  • Participation in cultural events of the Municipality of Laganas. Lithakia Zakynthos.
  • Participation in the International festival of MINORCA. Spain.

2009

  • Organized by "Fioro tou Levante" Festival in Laganas Municipality dedicated to the Balkans and participated by traditional clubs from Romania, Bulgaria, Kozani, Fioro tou Levante and local cultural associations of Laganas Municipality. Zante
  • Reception and hosting of Sailers from Sagundo and initiation of twinning efforts. Zakynthos.
  • Organization of the event "Sea Currents No1 Zakynthos - Minorca". Presentation of traditional dances - songs - paintings from Zakynthos and Minorca, Spain. Lofos tou Strani Zakynthos.

2010

  • Organization of the carnival dance "Ala Palaia" at the Cultural Centre Zakynthos.
  • Organization of the Funeral of the Mask in the Povero Carnival of the municipality of Zakynthos. Zakynthos
  • Participation in Cultural events of the Municipality of Kozani. Kozani
  • Participation in the International festival of TIMISOARA. Romania
  • Participation in the cultural events "Mediterranean Dialogues". Presentation of "Giargittos" or "Dance of Theseus". Participation of musical and dance groups from Zakynthos and Southern Italy. Agios Leontas Zakynthos.

2011

  • Organization of the Funeral of the Mask in Povero Carnival of the municipality of Zakynthos.
  • Organization of a carnival dance in the hall of the Cultural Center. Presentation of Lancers with the participation of the Band of the Municipality of Zakynthos.
  • Participation in the International Festival in La Palma. Canary Islands. Spain
  • Participation in the "Bread Festival" of the "Melissiotisses" association in Koiliomeno. (Zakynthos)

2012

  • Participation in ET1's New Year's Eve TV show "The Salt of the Earth". The show was dedicated to Zakynthos and the "Tragoudistades tsi Zakynthos". (Athens)
  • New Year's Kouloura cutting.
  • Organization of a Carnival Dance at the Casino.
  • Organization of the Mask's Funeral for Povero Carnival.
  • Organization of a celebration in Agios Lypios.
  • Club's representation in Sagunto (Spain) for the naming of a street in the city with the name "Zakynthos" and the transplanting of the Zakynthian olive tree in the central square of Sagunto.
  • Hosting sailors from Sagunto, Spain to Zakynthos.
  • Participation in the "Bread Festival" of the "Melissiotisses" club in Koiliomeno Zakynthos

2013

  • Participation in the New Year's event with local customs and traditions of IONIAN CHANEL on the Red Rock.
  • Organization of New Year's Kouloura cutting event at the 2nd High School.
  • Carnival trip to Thessaloniki.
  • Organizing a Carnival dance at the Casino.
  • Organization of the Carnival Bagorda in Saint Mark's Square.
  • Hospitality of Sagundian sailors.
  • Performance in Solomos Square.
  • Performance in Sarakinado - Raisin Festival.
  • Performance at Agios Sostis Port - Varkarola.
  • Trip to Turkey – Representation at the International festival of Sindirgi.

2014

  • New Year's Eve Kouloura Cutting event - 50th anniversary celebration.
  • Organization of the "Ala palaia" carnival dance in the hall of the Cultural Center.
  • Easter Bazaar events for the financial support of the Social Grocery of the Municipality of Zakynthos.
  • Participation in the celebration of the Festival in Agios Lypios.
  • Participation in the cultural events in Kremasti, Rhodes, organized by the local Cultural Association.
  • Anniversary event at the Outdoor Municipal Theater of Zakynthos for the club's 50 years.

2015

  • New Year's Eve Kouloura Cutting event.
  • Organization of the Carnival Dance at the Cultural Centre.
  • Participation in the Carnival Dance of the Zakynthian Union of Athens at the "TITANIA" hotel.
  • Participation in the celebratory event of the "ALITHOS" center dedicated to "20 Years ΥΑΚΙΝΤΗΙ" in Vanato Zakynthos.
  • Giostra di Zante - Presentation of Zakynthian Dances, Zakynthos
  • Participation in the Festival of Tradition and Culture of Kastoria.
  • Participation in the International Meeting of the Greek Chefs Club, with a presentation of local traditional dances - KALLINIKOS Winery Zakynthos.
  • Participation in the meeting of European Painters.
  • Participation in Giostra di Sulmona, Italy.
  • Participation in the Heptanisian Dance Festival - Ag. Nikolaos Volimon Zakynthos.
  • Participation in the exhibition of local products of the Zakynthos Chamber.
  • "50+1 YEARS OF FIORO" Anniversary Event with a presentation of Greek Traditional Dances, by Fioro of Levante, the Cultural Association MYISIS of Kastoria and the Cultural Association PROODOS of Kremastis Rhodes. Zakynthos.
  • Participation in the Milan International Exhibition - Representation of Greece together with the Tragoudistades tsi Zakynthos. Italy

2016

  • Organization of New Year's Kouloura cutting in the 2nd High School.
  • Organization of a radio show dedicated to the carnival urban dances and customs of Zakynthos and the Ionian Islands.
  • Organization of the Carnival Dance "ala Palaia" at the Casino. Presentation for the first time of urban dances "Candrillies".
  • Representation of Zakynthos in Corfu. Participation in the events of May 21 dedicated to the Union of the Ionian Islands with Greece.
  • The group hosted a Danish Cultural Association from Copenhagen. Teaching traditional Zakynthian and Heptanian Dances. Tour of Zakynthos and Zakynthos local products.
  • Participation in the Environmental Education seminar "To Ripidion tis Kontessas Michalitsi". Presentation of the urban dances "Lancers".

2017

  • New Year's Eve Kouloura Cutting event
  • Participation in the carnival events of the Municipality of Zakynthos
  • Organization of the Carnival Dance at the Cultural Center of Zakynthos
  • Participation in the Panionian Cultural Meeting of the Ionian Islands Region.Lefkada.
  • Participation in Varkarola in Agios Sostis Zakynthos
  • Participation in the Fraternization of the Municipality of Sagunto-Spain with the Municipality of Zakynthos.

2018

  • New Year's Eve Kouloura Cutting event
  • Organization of the Carnival Dance at the Cultural Center of Zakynthos.
  • Participation in the Love Marathon “Floga”. Zakynthos.
  • Presentation of Zakynthian Dances in Sagundo. Spain
  • Participation in the Cherry Festival in Ossa Thessaloniki.
  • Presentation of the Zakynthian Dances in the cities of Quanzhou, Xiamen and Shenzhen. China.
  • Presentation of the Urban Dances "Candrillies" in St. Markos Square. Zante.

2019

  • New Year's Eve Kouloura Cutting event
  • Organization of the Carnival Dance at the Cultural Center of Zakynthos.
  • Presentation of the Zakynthian Dances in Κastoria. Interreg Greece-Albania 2014-2020
  • RHOES II. Performance at the Outdoor Municipal Theater with the group AGRUPACION FOLKLORICA ALFAGUARA from the Canary Islands.
  • Participation of the Children's Department in an event for the 155th anniversary of the Union of the Ionian Islands.
  • Participation in the event for GIARGITOS DANCE organized by the Group of Traditional Greek Dances "o Syrtis" at Zakynthos Club.

2020

  • New Year's Eve Kouloura Cutting event.
  • Carnival Dance at the Zakynthos Club.
  • Zakynthian Dances Seminar for the actors of Astragali Teatro from Lecce, Italy.
  • Stop of Activities due to Corona Virus.

2021

  • Attendance at the Representation of the Changing of the Guard. Castle of Assos. Kefalonia. INTERREG program "Greece - Albania" 2014-2020

2023

  • New Year's Eve Kouloura Cutting event.
  • Carnival Dance at the Zakynthos Club. Presentation of the new Men's and Women's Urban Costumes.
  • Performance dedicated to the Founder and Teacher of the group, Angelos Visvardis.