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Ο μεγαλύτερος Τσακώνικος Χορός στο Λεωνίδιο · Leonidion Gr · Watch on YouTube(opens in a new tab)

Tsakonikos

Τσακώνικος

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Rhythm
5/4 (3+2) · Slow
Formation
Open circle, mixed, arms linked and bodies close together; the leader, holding a handkerchief, winds the line into a spiral like a snake.
Instruments
Clarinet, Violin, Laouto

Character

Who dances it: Everyone

A dance of Tsakonia in south-eastern Kynouria, Arcadia, centred on Leonidio and the villages around it. It is danced in a five-beat rhythm with slow steps back and forth and a wave-like movement of the body, while the chain of dancers coils into a spiral. Tradition links it to the ancient "crane" dance that Theseus led after escaping the Labyrinth, but that remains a legend. Taught in schools since 1930, it is danced at feasts and festivals such as Easter in Leonidio.

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Its story

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What they wear

Where it’s danced

In the Dora Stratou Theatre archive

The Greek Dance Pandect records this dance. Each item opens on its own website.

Tsakonikos: Dance in Tsakonia (Kynouria) of Western Peloponnese.

Places in the archive

Videos 4

Recordings 6

Photos 27

Show all (27)

Texts 1

More videos (2)

Theatro Dora Stratou- Tsakonikos from Arkadia, Peloponisos · dhmhtroula93 · Watch on YouTube(opens in a new tab)

Η Τσακωνιά χόρεψε στην Αθήνα | Εμμέλεια 2026 – Θέατρο Δόρα Στράτου · leonidio24 · Watch on YouTube(opens in a new tab)