The Ministry of Culture announces the registration of eleven new elements in Greece’s National Intangible Cultural Heritage Index, applying the Convention on Intangible Cultural Heritage (UNESCO, 2003).

The Department of Modern Cultural Heritage of the Ministry of Culture undertaken the drafting and processing of the data.

They were approved by the Council of Intangible Cultural Heritage, with the participation of communities and bodies carrying this living heritage.

Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said:

“The registration of the eleven new elements highlights the cultural pluralism of the Greek communities, which run through the whole territory of our country, strengthening collective memory, historical continuity and cultural viability. Every element of intangible cultural heritage is a valuable body of identity, experience and creative expression, linking the past with the present and at the same time shaping the future. The intangible cultural heritage is vibrant, experiential and transferable, lifestyle, perception and community participation. It is a stable priority of our cultural policy, not only as a matter of protection, but as an active field of participation, education and intergeneration. The registration of the data reflects the steady support of the Ministry of Culture in the communities and bodies working to preserve and promote it, reinforcing their initiatives, shaping a modern and sustainable framework to continue this intangible, but deeply tangible, cultural storage.

The eleven elements recorded in Greece’s National Intangible Cultural Heritage Index are:

1. Kedara, in the Imathia plantation

A Christmas custom held at midnight on December 23 by the Cultural Fytia Cultural Association, in collaboration with the Phytia Community. The members of the club, with torches, set fire to a large body of cedar branches. Then there is a dance around the fire with the participation of all those present. At the same time, they share the world by the children of the club, strawberries and raisins so -called “bibia” as well as wine or tsipouro. In addition, a buffet with traditional dishes is set up by the women of the village. During the night, the phrase “Colida Colida and Christ is born” is rhythmically heard.

2. The textile art of the tsakoni in Tyros of Arcadia (Family Family Laboratory)

In the workshop of the Psarrologou-Rodopoulou family, in Tyros Arcadia, the tradition of weaving kilims on an upright loom continues uninterruptedly by three generations of weaving, with art experiential from mother to daughter. The Tsakonika woven are created by cotton warp and woolen yarn and are one -piece creations that carry the same design on both surfaces. Weaving is performed with the fingers, with a unique comb tool. Today, Elizabeth Rodopoulou, a third -generation weaving, continues her family tradition with her mother, Thomai Psarrologou – Rodopoulou, preserving, evolving and transmitting the traditional know -how of the Tsakonian textile kilims.

3. Babiden Petrusa

Babiden is a cultural phenomenon observed in Petrus Drama on January 6, 7, 8. For the Petrusinians and the Petrusians are their most important celebration, festive. For three days all the inhabitants of Petrusa participate in the processions and feasts, dancing and singing. The sound of the local scales of musical instruments made up by the lyres and the dickels, the disguised (Arabs, dummies, greenery), the camel displayed as a forerunner in the “rounds” and the dances and melodies dominated by the ” Drink ‘they characterize Babiden.

4.

“Welcome to Lazaros and this year and the year with white with red and florals …”

Every Eve of Lazaros, Friday night in the loggia of the historic church of Ag. Friday in Rodavgi, young and old, old men and old women, sing some of Lazaros’ about 30 unforgettable songs, songs of our tradition. In the past, the “Lazaroudi” were sung by the children in all the houses of the village. The Easter custom holds well in Rodavgi, and the Rodavigi Cultural Association, along with all the village bodies (church, community, women’s club, etc.), frame the folklore group.

5. Gaccorda’s Dance in Mikrookastro Voji Kozani

The dance of “Gacchalona” is a unique traditional custom that ends on New Year’s Eve in Mikrokastro Voi Kozani. It is a circular, male dance, with a strong scouting character, accompanied by a song without the use of musical instruments. The first dancer is distinguished for his theatricality and passion, guiding the rest of the dancers with sketches and improvisations. A man in the center of the circle, holding glitches, watching and supervising, while participants mimic the movements of the Protector.

The song “Gachelona” narrates scouting incidents with protagonists, such as the turtle and the hedgehog. Dance culminates in New Year’s festivities, with men wearing traditional costumes and adding special humor and vibrancy to the event. Gacchalona is an important element of the cultural identity of the Microcastro and is kept alive through the efforts of the local community and the cultural association.

6. Siniou Corfu Dance

The Sinian Dance is a Skili Corfu Dance of 2/4 which, as it denotes its name, comes from the sins. It is danced in a circle by men and women. The first dancer is engaged in skillful movements and chases.

7. Argos Carnival

The 3-day annual carnival, this euphorian alert, takes place from 31/12 until 2/1 of each year in Argos Orestiko of the Municipality of Argos Orestikos of the Regional Unit of Kastoria. It maintains many elements of a Dionysian character and coincides with the Roman calendars. Its beginning dates back to the 19th century as a means of entertainment during the Turkish occupation, which starts on New Year’s Eve with a special reception of the new year, continues with a parade on New Year’s Day, and ends with the custom-dancing customary of the disguised women. It is the 1st Carnival of the Year, unique in the world.

8. The pottery tradition of the Family Anetopoulos in Malaki Volos.

The folk art of pottery as developed in the Volos area from the late 19th century to the present, through four generations of pottery of the same family (Anetopoulos family). Emphasis is placed on their historical journey, their relationship with the city of Volos, the production process, the technical, material objects (ceramics) and their uses, as well as the modern production and action of Vangelis Anetopoulos and the children of Stelios and Athena.

9. The cultivation and processing of plum Azan in Skopelos

The black plum Azan was named after the city of France Agen, from which it came to implant on Skopelitian land, to grasp and create the beneficial fruit. Fruit juicy and sweet, dehydrated in wood oven by providing beneficial properties to the human body. During the summer, the Skopelites gathered the so -called “huts” to collect and bake the Skopelite black plums, which they sold at very good prices. The production of plum shaped the social, cultural and economic life of the agricultural community. The cultivation of the Skopelitian plum is transmitted from generation to generation and is constantly cultivated in the traditional way by its appearance and constitutes an important element of sustainable development.

10.

The Argos Orestiko trade fair is the leading commercial event in Western Macedonia, lasting a week, in late September to early October. Its principle is at least in the 17th century, its operation has been uninterrupted over the centuries, with the result that today’s trade fair is an evolution of the zoopanic-fair of that time. Traders from all over the country come to sell services and products and visitors come from all over northern Greece and the southern Balkans. It is the most important event of the municipality in the circle of time in Argos Orestiko. It is still one of the largest and successful Balkan fairs.

11. The Fava Circle in Island Greece

Fava is an ancient dish that is traditionally consumed in most of the islands in the Greek area. It is made from broken seeds of seeds (seeds) of legumes derived from local varieties of five botanical species (3 species of stunning, 1 pea and 1 beaches). Farmers on each island have developed their own cultivation technique and processing according to local tradition. In the traditional island society, Fava is part of the daily as well as in the festive diet by creating a special nutritional culture and is surrounded by a multitude of verbal and symbolic practices. Fava is still included in local traditional cuisine and modern gastronomic compositions.