ASTORIA, NY –
Emphasizing the significance of Cretan cultural heritage and its impact on younger generations, the Pancretan Association of America (PAA) organized a National Dance Workshop in New York from March 14 to 16, 2025.
Six instructors from Crete, representing the Chania Dance Group “Psiloritis” of Kostas Boutzoukas, participated in the workshop, along with over 60 young men and women, aged 15 to 25, from PAA chapters across America.
These participants had an intermediate to advanced level of dance experience.
The ultimate goal of the PAA is for the knowledge gained by the participants in this workshop to be shared with all its chapters across America, especially with third- and fourth-generation children of Cretan descent.
Under the auspices of the Cultural Committee for the PAA, Andreas Batakis, PAA President Diane Kounalakis, and Executive Vice President John Marakis, the workshop provided a unique hands-on experience in Cretan dance. It was made possible through the generous financial support of the Region of Crete, Regional Governor Stavros Arnaoutakis, and the PAA.
“It was a weekend filled with inspiration, seeing so many young people come together to celebrate the beauty of Cretan dance. We are immensely grateful to Regional Governor Stavros Arnaoutakis for his support, as well as to the instructors from the Psiloritis Group for their passion and expertise, which they shared with our youth. These are experiences that will be unforgettable for generations to come,” stated PAA President Kounalakis.
Batakis noted, “Music and dance unite us like nothing else. Cretan music carries a special significance because our rich history and culture are expressed through every step and every note. The fact that the young Cretans of America embraced this experience with such dedication and joy filled our hearts with pride.”
The workshop covered a wide range of traditional Cretan dances, including rare and nearly forgotten “lost” dances. Participants were impressed by the deep historical and cultural roots of each dance. In addition to three days of intensive training, the weekend included celebratory dinners organized by the Cretan associations of Astoria, “Omonia” and “Minos,” accompanied by live Cretan music, featuring both young and adult musicians from New York.
This unforgettable weekend would not have been possible without the dedication and support of the leaders and board members of the Pancretan Association of America, the Cretan associations of the greater New York area, “Omonia” and “Minos” in Astoria, “Kritiki Filoxenia” of Staten Island, and the Cretan Sisterhood and Brotherhood of Brooklyn.
