The "gaitanaki" is a traditional dance that is performed in areas of Greece, mainly in Macedonia and Thessaly, but also in other parts of the country.

This dance is usually accompanied by music played with a traditional Greek wind instrument and is mainly danced during the carnival period.

The characteristic of this dance is a stick tied with colorful ribbons. Participants hold one of these ribbons in their hand and as they rotate, the ribbons wrap around the stick.

The gaïtanaki highlights the rich tradition of rural areas, being an ancient institution that has been preserved for centuries. In this celebration, people come together to express the spirit of solidarity, love, and unity.

The circular dance that accompanies the gaïtanaki depicts the eternal cycle of life, from birth to death, from sorrow to joy, from the cold of winter to the bright rebirth of spring and vice versa.

As participants dance, an atmosphere filled with positive energy and optimism is created, contributing to the connection and unity of the community.

This dance is an important aspect of Greek culture and tradition, representing the joy and cheerfulness of the people.

Let's see together how we can create our own souvlaki...

Materials

• Wood: A stick or even a broomstick (!) for the body of the pole. You can use a wooden stick that is about 1.5 meters long and approximately 2-3 centimeters in diameter.
• Colors: Acrylic paints or dyes to give color and decoration to the pole.
• Brushes: Brushes of various sizes to apply the paint to the wood.
• Base: A piece of wood or a umbrella base (!) to use as a base at the bottom of the pole.
• Wire tapes: Small wire tapes to tie the handle to the body of the pole.
• Glue: Wood glue to join the various parts of the pole and the ribbons.
• Ribbons: Colored ribbons that will hang from the top of the pole.

History

Tradition represents the wealth of cultural heritage and educating children about it contributes to its preservation for future generations.

It also helps children understand their identity and feel connected to their roots and community.

Tradition can inspire children to express their creativity through art, music, dance, and other mediums.

If you want to learn more about tradition or educate your children about it, customs, and Greek traditions in general, below I have gathered some options for you to choose from.