learnt from close observation of how they are performed in the villages. The groups consist of men, women and permanent musicians and singers who provide live music.
The Theatre was founded by Mrs Dora Stratou and constitutes the result of her desire to keep alive traditional forms of dance, music and song. She spent many years gathering traditional costumes, folk jewelry and village made objects such as shoes, swords, bells, kerchiefs and various other items. The theater has an astounding collection of 2,500 traditional costumes, the largest of its kind in the world.
Dora Stratou had been born in Athens in 1903 and was coming from a rich family. His father was a politician, but unfortunately he was charged of high treason and sentenced to death in 1922, after the Asia Minor Disaster. This was a great shock for Mrs Dora Stratou, who left with her family abroad, having lost their fortune. She returned to Greece in 1932. She got married and divorced twice.
In 1952, Mrs Stratou saw a performance of a Yugoslavian folk ensemble and realized that there wasn't such a group in Greece, apart from the Lyceum of the Greek Women, who was giving only two or three performances a year. Therefore, she founded a Greek folk ensemble and in 1964, the construction of the National Greek Dances Theatre was ordered. Dora Stratou was the president of this Theatre for 30 years. She passed away in 1983 due to ill health.
The Dora Stratou Theatre gives performances from May to September, every week from Tuesday to Sunday. Each performance lasts for 80 min and the program changes every Tuesday. Apart from dancing performances, the Theatre organizes dancing lessons, lectures and research programs. It also has a library on folk themes and keeps an archive. The Theatre activities are financed by the Ministry of Culture, the National Tourist Organization and other governmental institutions. |
 |
 Travel Services |
        
| Famous destinations |
|
Back:
Athens Related:
