ASTORIA, NY—
The Heritage Museum of Epirus in Astoria honored the lives of the Women of Souli with a commemorative evening that addressed their power in art, music, dance, and memory on Thursday, December 11, 2025.
The Souliotisses, together with their children, lost their lives in the cliffs of Zalongo in 1803, jumping to their deaths to escape capture and enslavement by Ottoman military troupes sent by local ruler Ali Pasa. The Museum’s event reflected upon the power these women hold in the collective memory of Greece and the diaspora, with a specific focus on art, dance, and music that emerged with the story of the Women of Souli as inspiration.
The evening culminated in a moving performance of the song, “The Dance of Zalongo,” specially arranged and directed by New York City artist Maria Eleni Zollo, together with a choir composed of local female Greek American musicians spanning generations: Christina Hunt, Leah Pappas, Vethania Stavropoulos, Lily Talmers, and Zoe Zollo.
The event was coordinated by curator Maria Madonna Constantinides, who invited attendees to remember that the Souliotisses were real people, not simply a story, and used art, video, and music to highlight the heroism of these women in a moment of tragedy. “I wanted to design an event that respected the legacy of the Souliotisses, and that also allowed space for emotion – that invited our audience to experience the gravity of their sacrifice. I first heard their story from my grandmother, who always told it with passion and with pride. I aspired to reflect this passion by highlighting artists and musicians that, like my grandmother, took inspiration from these heroines of modern Greece.
Notably, the evening took place in the presence of a large format painting, The Dance of Zalongo, by Ioannina based awarded artist and educator George Mitsis. The painting is part of the Museum’s permanent collection and movingly represents the tragic event of 1803 and its topography, with women and children wearing traditional costumes falling from cliffs that intentionally represent the dramatic terrain surrounding the Souli villages.
The Museum collaborated with Lykeion Ellinidon and the Museum of the Greek Costume in Athens, Greece to show a short film titled “The Zalongo Dance. Words Have their Own History,” directed by Marilena Aligizaki with curator Tania Veliskou.
The song, “Zalongo,” from the album Ode to Yanni by the Yako Trio of Thessaloniki was featured during the reception, recorded “as a tribute to the strength and dignity of the women of Zalongo.” Also included in the program was a reading of the last lines of Speros Peresiades’ 1903 play The Dance of Zalongo (Ο Χορός του Ζαλόγγου), accompanied by an English translation.
The event was attended by over 75 participants, including long standing friends of the Museum and first-time visitors. All attendees were welcomed by Director, Vasiliki Kantlis, together with Ms. Constantinides, for a reception and to explore the collection prior to the start of the event. “I am delighted to see so many visitors. I look forward to continuing to host programs and events so that we can build our community and expand the Museum’s outreach,” said Ms. Kantlis.
Chris Pantazis, current president of the Society of Epirotes Anagenisis, the parent organization of the Heritage Museum of Epirus, expressed his joy at welcoming new visitors. “Watching people as they first walk through these doors and seeing their eyes light up on discovering the Museum for the first time is a beautiful fulfillment of the vision of the Museum’s founders. I hope to continue to welcome new visitors to experience what we have built here in New York City.”
The Heritage Museum of Epirus is located at 25-14 Broadway, Astoria, New York. Its collection includes traditional costumes, jewelry, home and agricultural tools, a library, and fine art connected to Epirus. The Museum is currently open select Wednesdays and by appointment. Guided educational programs for students and adults are available free of charge and can be scheduled via e-mail: [email protected]
