Central Greece

Location

The region is located in the southern part of the purely continental body of Greece and is known as Central Greece or Roumeli, a name that has been used since the years of Frankish rule and means "land of the Romans", that is, of the Greeks. Its relief is strongly mountainous, as most of it is covered by high and steep mountain ranges, usually overgrown with firs, pines and oaks, most of which are offshoots of Pindus.

The style, ethos and often the form of the local dances show strong similarities with those of Epirus, a fact due to the common natural conditions and the similar landscape of the two regions. Consequently, the lifestyle and character of the inhabitants were shaped in an almost inevitably related way.

The only region of Central Greece that differs significantly in terms of dance style is Megara. Their coastal location favored commercial and cultural contacts with Asia Minor, the Peloponnese and the Aegean islands, a fact that also influenced the character of the dances. There the style becomes lighter and more bouncy, while dances adapted to specific festive occasions are also found.

The historical course of Central Greece is also reflected in its kleftika songs, which, with the simplicity and power of their words, directly convey the harsh conditions of life and action of klefturia.

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Dances

Explore traditional Greek dances