8th Dance Festival Skopelos
The popular festival for 8 years, returns to Skopelos. The three “quiet” years of the pandemic are over, and the organizers and participants are back with more enthusiasm. The 7th dance festival “Diamantis Palaiologos” took place in 2019. Now in 2023, the organizers, participants, and volunteers are ready to relive the unique cultural experience of dance from many parts of Greece and abroad. The dance groups are looking forward to the start of the event.
The annual event celebrates the 8th-year traditional and contemporary dance on the island of Skopelos in Greece. It brings together dancers, choreographers, and dance enthusiasts from various backgrounds to showcase their talent and promote the art of dance. The Skopelos Dance Festival “Diamantis Palaiologos” features a diverse range of performances, including traditional Greek and foreign dances, modern and contemporary dance pieces, and international dance styles.
Information about the Skopelos Dance Festival
The first festival was organized by a group of young people from the Cultural Association of Glossa in 2013. The success exceeded all expectations. So, the following year, the festival was organized again, this time in Skopelos Chora, where it is now held every year.
The Dance Festival “Diamantis Palaiologos” started with the vision of establishing itself as a great dance, cultural, and heritage festival that will bring together dancers and bands from all over the world. Along with this, the organizers aimed to designate Skopelos as a center of popular culture, folk dance, and tradition. The vision and goal have been achieved, and every year more and more people participate in the festival. The “Traditional Dances Festival Diamantis Palaiologos” is a member of the European and the World Folklore Festival Association. He holds the EFFE LABEL 2017-2018 quality label from the European Festivals Association. The Festival has been awarded the TOURISM Awards 2017 (SILVER Award in the “Festival” category) and the Best City Awards 2016 (SILVER Award in the “Culture” category). Also, in both Greek and foreign universities, the “Traditional Dances Festival Diamantis Palaiologos” is considered a subject of study and research. It has also been presented at similar conferences.
During the three-day events, Skopelos will host about 600 dancers and 7500 spectators from all over the world. Together, they will unite in music and dance, displaying different traditions and bridging the specificity of each culture. Along with the dance performances, the Skopelos Dance Festival “Diamantis Palaiologos” also includes workshops, art exhibitions, seminars, and rehearsals open to the public, a guided tour of Skopelos Town, and even a quiz where participants can learn different cultural dances and gain new information. The dance groups always honor their place of origin by wearing their traditional costumes. It is noteworthy that every year, more than 70 volunteers support the festival.
The Program of the 8th Dance Festival 7-8-9 July 2023
(as given by the official website dancefestival.gr) Friday 07 July: 19.00 | Parade of Dance Bands, Skopelos Port 20.45 | Festival performances ● Skopelos Cultural Folklore Association (Sporades & Aegean Dances) ● Association of Thracian Thracians of Thermi (Dances from Thrace) ● Kalamata Asia Minor Society (Dances from Asia Minor) ● Lyceum of Hellenic Women of Kavala (Dances from Macedonia) ● Dance Group Xenios Krites (Dances from Crete) 23.30 | Welcome Party by the Volunteers at the Green Lighthouse (Skopelos Port)
Saturday 08 July: 10.00 | Guided tour of the picturesque town of Skopelos. Pre-registration required | Starting point: Festival Office 10.30 | Screening “Mediterranean – Life Under Siege” – Thalassa Foundation | Orpheus Cinema. 12.00 | Dancefestival Quiz with surprise presenters | Vrahos Café 14.00 | Cretan Dance Seminar | Glysteri Beach Bar 20.45 | Festival performances ● Greek Dances Happenings (KEMEA) (Dances from Naxos) ● Association of Asia Minor Thiva (Dances from the wider area of the Erythraea peninsula) ● Aigio Dance Group (Dances from Thessaly) ● Cultural and Cultural Association “Kallisti” of Kalamaria 1. ● Pancretan Association of the Prefecture of Etoloakarnania (Dances from Crete)
Sunday 09 July: 10.00 | Departure for Glossa Skopelos 12.00 | Workshop Presentation of the Skopelos Bridal Costume by Christos Paleologos 13.30 | Departure from Glossa 14.00 | Beach Party 20.45 | Festival performances ● Lyceum of Hellenic Women of Thebes (Island Dances) ● Association of Agia Triada Peania (Dances from Asia Minor) ● Pylaia Dance Department of the Municipality of Pylaia-Hortiatis (Dances from Pieria) ● Cultural Association of Keratsini “Thymematadai” (Dances from Paros and Serifos) ● Artistic House of Pontians of Northern Greece (Dances from Pontos) ● Dance troupe “Diamantis Palaeologos”
23.30 | Farewell party with a traditional orchestra
Monday 10 July: Morning: Free time Noon: Departure for Volos / Agios Konstantinos / Mantoudi / Thessaloniki Afternoon: Arrival in Volos / Agios Konstantinos / Mantoudi / Thessaloniki To obtain specific information about upcoming Skopelos Dance Festivals, including dates, venues, and participating artists, it is recommended to check the official website of the festival, local tourist information sources, or contact the organizers directly.
