Dodekaimero and Apokries Carnival Season Processions in Oakleigh, 2023- Pourpouris and Kortopoula

FOR ANY FOR ANY FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT:
www.manasisdance.com.au
MANASIS School of Greek Dance and Culture
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AUSTRALIA'S BIGGEST GREEK DANCE SCHOOL,
THE MANASIS SCHOOL OF GREEK DANCE AND CULTURE,
PRESENTS
"DODEKAIMERO AND APOKRIES" CARNIVAL SEASON PROCESSIONS- OAKLEIGH, 2023
...TRADITIONS OLDER THAN TIME ITSELF.
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Over the past 4 decades the MANASIS School of Greek Dance and Culture, has set unmatched, unrivalled standards in execution, choreography and discipline. One of the school's fundamental beliefs is that whenever dance is presented to an audience, whether it be at a festival or on a large scale production, the execution and presentation itself, must differ from the customary, traditional stereotype. As the school constantly strives to find new methods of execution, the belief is that all culture should evolve and move with the times, but remain firmly embedded in its past.

...we must understand where we come from, in order to know where we want to go...

For many years, our school has presented Apokries Season traditions and customs from the various regions of Greece.
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POURPOURIS & KORTOPOULA
Anatoliki Romilia (Thrace)
Eaton Mall and surrounding streets, Oakleigh
Sunday 22nd January, 4:00pm

In the series of DODEKAIMERO traditions (Twelve Days) exists the custom of "Pourpouris", which the inhabitants of the village Isaakio, Didymoteicho performed on the second day of Christmas.

The custom was brought to Greece in 1922 by the refugees "Sakpasiotes" from the seven opposite villages of Eastern Thrace (modern-day Bulgaria/Turkey), when they relocated to their new homelands in Western Thrace. In Isaakio, the custom continued until the 1940's, and then ceased completely.

In the final years before its abolition, there were many Pourpourides in the village. Each neighbourhood made its own, and no two were ever identical, although shared all the same characteristics.

On the second day of Christmas and after church, the young boys of the village gathered at the house of Pourpouri in order to dress him.

He carries a wooden sword, which many times, during the journey, he uses to 'fight off' the boys from group (who try to 'steal' his wife)- a fight the Pourpouris always wins.

It is important to note, that the revival of this custom over the past recent years, is through the initiative of young and passionate dancers, musicians, and folklore specialists, who have thoroughly researched and documented first hand accounts by interviewing surviving inhabitants of the regions where this custom took place.

Although our Pourpouris costume was created a few years ago, the entire 'dromeno' (custom and journey) had not yet been re-enacted. For this first time in Australia, it was presented in our heart-land of Oakleigh, with the Eaton Mall, vendors, locals and visitors all having to opportunity to be participants in the festivities.🥰
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Our sincere appreciation to all the MANASIS School of Greek Dance and Culture students who participated as characters, dancers, musicians and assistants, especially the Porupouris, Kris Kasimis and the Kortopoula, Peter Ziros.

A big thank you, to good friend and colleague from Sydney- Vasilios Aligiannis and the Institute of Hellenic Dance & Culture , and also Mr Chris Vlasakakis and the committee from the Panthracian Association of Melbourne, for lending our dance school their collection of men's and women's traditional Thracian costumes for use in this production.

A debt of gratitude is extended to the incredible young musicians of the Εβρίτικη Ζυγιά//Evritiki Zygia band in Greece, whose passion of traditional Thracian (and Balkan more broadly) music, had resulted in the revival of many traditions and customs (dromena) from the region. Their annual rendition of the Pourpouris and Kortopoula custom has been well documented, and was one of our most significant resources when researching and interpreting the custom for revival here in Australia.

Equally, on the week of this event, one of the greatest musicians who's contribution to Thracian culture was imesurable, passed away. We therefore expressed our condolences, and dedicated the entire production to the memory of the late Kariofilis Doitsidis.

Finally, our sincere appreciation to all the Vendors of the Eaton Mall precinct and surrounding streets in Oakleigh, together with the City of Monash for their support in giving us the opportunity to share our cultural identity.

Footage and edit courtesy of Kosta Pinirou Joe Sparrow Media
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FOR ANY FOR ANY FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT:
www.manasisdance.com.au
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