25th Corfu Folklore Festival took place last weekend

The "25th Corfu Folklore Festival", held at the Municipal Theater, ended with great success. The Festival lasted for three days (March 22, 23, and 24), and was organised by Laodama with the Ionian Islands Regional Authority as co-organisers.

Nikos Perros, one of the founders of Laodama and responsible for the organisation and flow of the programme, stated: "... we estimate that three thousand people attended the Municipal Theatre over the three days. Corfiots from the town and from every village that participated with their dance group..." and continued: "... more than a thousand dancers from 47 dance groups, societies, 19 dance teachers, and 11 musicians make up a reality that places the Corfu Folklore Festival as the largest cultural event on the island!"

With regard to the musicians and societies that participated, he stated: "Congratulations to our excellent musicians, whom I must mention: Apostolis Valsamas on oud, lute, and vocals, who was also the orchestration director, Efthymis Koukos on percussion, Zacharias Hasanis on clarinet, Thodoris Karydis on violin, Thomai Theocharopoulou on accordion, Kostas Petridis on lute and vocals, Nikos Alaitzis on davul, Kostantina Houlaki on vocals. A difficult endeavor primarily due to the size of the event, which was crowned with absolute success.

"We particularly congratulate the administrations of the societies that cultivate activities such as dance, theatre, choirs, painting, and literature, as they perform a tremendous social function in difficult, barbaric times. Through their actions, they contribute to shaping awareness, the kind that can change things for the better.

"Culture is not just the 'consumption' of events, but the meaningful participation in activities, in the struggle for contemporary needs, for everyday life and quality of life. We congratulate and simultaneously admire the unsung heroes of the Festival. The teachers! Those who, with dedication, zeal, selflessness, but with a lot of passion, worked with their dance groups to pproduce this excellent result."

The events were honoured by the presence of the Deputy Regional Governor, Mr. Anthis, the Mayor of Central Corfu, Mr. Poulimenos with the President of the Municipal Council, Mr. Alamanos, the Regional Councillors Balou and Charalambous, the municipal councillors G. Bormbotis, Myr. Charalambous, the President of the Workers Centre Mr. Pelais, a representative of the Archbishop and from the Parents Association Ms. Vareli. The organisers honoured the researcher, collector, and author G. Sourtzinos for his many years of contribution to culture.

Mr. Perros concluded the events with expressions of gratitude and special mentions. He thanked the Ionian Islands Regional Authority for co-organising, the management of the Municipal Theatre and the staff for their tireless support in the organisation and implementation, Theodoros Korakianitis for sound engineering, Antonis Karydis for videography and photography, and of course, the Greek Rescue Team for their full support of the festival throughout the three days, to whom they also awarded a commemorative token of their presence.

The following groups participated in the Festival:

Friday, March 22nd: Krini, Laodama, Karousades, Afra, Doukades, Laodamas (teenagers), 'Kerkyra' Dance Group, Gastouri Philharmonic Society Dance Group, Vitalades, Korakiana, Agios Mattheos, Arilla, Sinies, and Yiannades.

Saturday, March 23rd: Kato Garouna, Kompitsi, Alepou, Petriti, Gouvia, Velonades, Ano Pavliana, Kassiopi, Pagi, Laodama, 'Phaethon' Lefkimmi, Acharavi, Castellani  Messi, Kato Korakiana, Pontian Association, Marathias.

Sunday, March 24th: Avliotes, Iraklis (dance section "Speira"), Stroggili, Perithia, Temploni, Sinarades, Koryfo Association, Chloros, Vouniatades, Kavalouri, Kalafationes, Macedonian Union, Moraitika, Epirotic Association, Sgourades, Peroulades.

Photos: Laodamas