On January 16, 2026, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America arrived in New Orleans, Louisiana for Hellenic Dance Festival’s 25th annual competition that has drawn thousands to showcase the beauty of traditional Greek folk dancing and music.
Archbishop Elpidophoros was greeted by Metropolitan Sevastianos of Atlanta and Fr. Sampson Kasapakis, the director of the HDF, as well as other clergy from the Metropolis of Atlanta. A young dance group from Tarpon Springs, Florida, also welcomed His Eminence.
On the first day of the competition that has drawn thousands to New Orleans, teams from all over the country took the stages inside of ballrooms to perform historic dances backed by music from throughout the ages of Greek folk dancing.
Some dressed in bright fustanellas and Amalia dresses, others in jackets and trousers reminiscent of the early 20th century.
Photos by Orthodox Observer/Brittainy Newman
