Lavani Dance in Kavala

15 July 2012 elinepa

Participation of a lavani dance group in the festivals Sun and Stone of Nea Karvali and Cosmopolis of Kavala.

In summer 2012, the Lavani folk dance group from Puna, India, consisting of 12 members, visited Greece for the first time to participate in the “Sun and Stone” annual International dance festival arranged in Nea Karvali, which this year took place together with the Cosmopolis festival of Kavala and the Phillipoi festival and in Thassos.

The Indian group visited our country under the initiative and invitation of Mayor of Kavala Mr. Kostis Simitzis and enjoyed support of Ambassador of India in Greece Mr. Tsewang Topden, who ensured the economic and cultural support of ICCR for the group’s trip in Greece.

The dance group was hosted in the cultural village of Nea Karvali, constructed according to the standards of Cappadocian houses, as most residents of that village have their roots from the far-away region of Asia Minor. President of the Nea Karvali Cultural Center Mr. Kaplanis Iosifidis and his spouse Vasso were the leading inspiration of the festival. They arrange the “Sun and Stone” festival which has become one of the best dance festivals in the world for the last 32 years now.

The music and dance festival started with the usual party in the central square of Nea Karvali and the following day the opening ceremony in the open theatre of presvis dimarchos the cultural village attended by plenty of spectators, was held. The dance performances went on in the Castle of Kavala as well, in the Philippoi ancient theatre, Theologos historical settlement and Potos of Thassos.

Ambassador of India Mr. Tsewang Topden visited the members of the dance group and watched their performance in the Philippoi ancient theatre. Mayor of Kavala Mr. Simitzis arranged a formal dinner in the honour of the high guest, attended as well by the Deputy Prefect, President of ELINEPA and businessmen of Kavala and Drama who expressed great interest in promotion of cultural, business and tourist ties of the region with India.

Entrance to all performances was free and the public filled the theatres to enjoy the dance, music and phantasmagoric colors of the dancers’ costumes.

Photoes, Up: Scene from the lavani dance in the ancient theater of Filippoi.

Right: The Mayor of Kavala Mr. Kostis Simitzis with the Ambassador of India Mr. Tsewang Topden.

Lavani dance at the ancient theater of Filippoi 5 July 2012.