- Four hundred and fifty dancers from Morocco, Lithuania, Cyprus, Latvia, Poland, Albania, and Greece are converging on the Municipality of Chersonissos for a weekend of global folklore.
- Performances take place on Saturday, September 26, at the courtyard of the Church of Agios Konstantinos in Kato Gouves, followed by Sunday, September 27, at the Church of Agio Pnevma in Malia.
- Each evening kicks off at 19:30 with festive street parades along Ioanni Konstantinidi Street in Kato Gouves and Mattheou Zachariadi and Dimokratias streets in Malia, leading into the 20:30 stage performances.
Folk music, traditional costumes, and rhythm are taking over the streets and courtyards of Chersonissos this weekend as the municipality hosts its 7th International Traditional Dance Festival. Part of the broader 3rd Arts and Culture Festival, the event brings together 450 performers from seven countries to share their cultural heritage with residents and travelers alike.
The festival relies heavily on local grassroots participation, supported by the Gouves “Agios Konstantinos” Cultural and Beautification Association and the Malia Cultural and Beautification Association.
Parades and Performance Schedule
Rather than staying confined to a stage, the celebration spills right out onto the pavement. Both evenings begin with vibrant street processions featuring all participating troupes in full traditional regalia:
- Saturday, September 26 (Kato Gouves): The parade steps off at 19:30 along Ioanni Konstantinidi Street, followed by dance performances at 20:30 in the courtyard of the Church of Agios Konstantinos.
- Sunday, September 27 (Malia): The procession starts at 19:30 along Mattheou Zachariadi and Dimokratias streets, leading into the evening showcase at 20:30 in the courtyard of the Church of Agio Pnevma.
International delegations representing Morocco, Lithuania, Cyprus, Latvia, Poland, and Albania will present their native folk dances. Greece is represented by the Kougioumoutzis Traditional Dance Workshop and the Malia Cultural Association’s dance troupe, under the guidance of instructor Dimitris Makrydakis.
Admission to all events is free, offering visitors a rare opportunity to experience living traditions from across the Mediterranean and Eastern Europe in an intimate, community-centered setting.
