May 1988. Three pioneer dancers, Manolis Pattakos, Michalis Sifakakis, and Vassilis Toupis, founded the "KOURITES" Folklore Society.
35 years later, the purpose of the "KOURITES" Folklore Society remains the same: to contribute to the preservation, rescue, and dissemination of Cretan dances, songs, and plays, but also the revival of Cretan morals and customs.
The "KOURITES" Folklore Society has performed over two thousand performances in Greece and on five continents.
"KOURITES" succeeded thanks to our demanding and passionate leader, our President and dance teacher, Pattakomanolis, who carries the honorary title of “chief."
We were warmly embraced with appreciation and respect by the most important traditional entities of our country, as well as by significant cultural societies abroad.
But what happened through the years? Follow us, step by step, along this multi-year journey.
The History of "KOURITES" Folklore Society
1988
In 1988, they appeared in the Odeon of Herodes Atticus at an event of the Pancretan Association for the Battle of Crete. They were the first Cretan...
In 1988, they appeared in the Odeon of Herodes Atticus at an event of the Pancretan Association for the Battle of Crete. They were the first Cretan...
1989
The following year, in collaboration with Domna Samiou, they represented Greece at special events in Strasbourg, France, where the headquarters of...
The following year, in collaboration with Domna Samiou, they represented Greece at special events in Strasbourg, France, where the headquarters of...
1990
In May 1990, they traveled to Cyprus, where they participated in cultural events in Paralimni and Limassol. During the same month, they took part...
In May 1990, they traveled to Cyprus, where they participated in cultural events in Paralimni and Limassol. During the same month, they took part...
During the same year, they also collaborated with Manos Mountakis in the music & dance performance "Lyrodia," where they not only danced but also...
During the same year, they also collaborated with Manos Mountakis in the music & dance performance "Lyrodia," where they not only danced but also...
After study and research, the president of the Society, Manolis Pattakos, in a special event at the Cretan Estia on December 16, 1990, presented the...
After study and research, the president of the Society, Manolis Pattakos, in a special event at the Cretan Estia on December 16, 1990, presented the...
1991
After similar research, on May 11, 1991, at the Cretan Estia again, they presented the items of the Cretan men's costume: the meidani, the capoto,...
After similar research, on May 11, 1991, at the Cretan Estia again, they presented the items of the Cretan men's costume: the meidani, the capoto,...
In December of the same year, the KOURITES traveled to America, invited by the Cretan association of New Orleans, the Cretan association of New York and...
In December of the same year, the KOURITES traveled to America, invited by the Cretan association of New Orleans, the Cretan association of New York and...
1992
In 1992, Georgios Vogiatzakis, the president of the Pancretan Association for 24 years, and the great lyra player and singer Charalambos...
In 1992, Georgios Vogiatzakis, the president of the Pancretan Association for 24 years, and the great lyra player and singer Charalambos...
1993
In 1993, after two years of research, they honored the famous pioneer dancers of the Cretan community of Athens, Manolis Anggouridakis, Michalis...
In 1993, after two years of research, they honored the famous pioneer dancers of the Cretan community of Athens, Manolis Anggouridakis, Michalis...
During the same year, they participated in a historic event organized by the Association of All Sfakians and the Constantinopolitan Association with the...
During the same year, they participated in a historic event organized by the Association of All Sfakians and the Constantinopolitan Association with the...
They traveled to Milan, where they appeared at the World Tourism Exhibition.
They traveled to Milan, where they appeared at the World Tourism Exhibition.
1994
The following year, they honored the pioneer dancers of 1960-1970, Manolis Katsougris, Giorgis Kiagias, Giorgis Kokkinos, Giorgis Kyriakakis, Drakos...
The following year, they honored the pioneer dancers of 1960-1970, Manolis Katsougris, Giorgis Kiagias, Giorgis Kokkinos, Giorgis Kyriakakis, Drakos...
1995
In 1995, at an event in the Cretan Estia, the old Trizalis dance was presented under the guidance of the old first dancer Manolis Katsougris,...
In 1995, at an event in the Cretan Estia, the old Trizalis dance was presented under the guidance of the old first dancer Manolis Katsougris,...
In August of the same year, on the baptism day of his sons, Pattakomanolis and his wife Marina revived old customs and traditions of baptism and...
In August of the same year, on the baptism day of his sons, Pattakomanolis and his wife Marina revived old customs and traditions of baptism and...
In December of the same year, they entered the Presidential Palace for the first time and sang the Cretan carols to the President of the Hellenic...
In December of the same year, they entered the Presidential Palace for the first time and sang the Cretan carols to the President of the Hellenic...
1996
In 1996, they revived the "Cretan Group of Friends" and honored Stelios Vavourakis as its genuine representative. For the next six years, they...
In 1996, they revived the "Cretan Group of Friends" and honored Stelios Vavourakis as its genuine representative. For the next six years, they...
1997
In 1997, they honored Spyros Sifogiorgakis, his wife Chrysoula, and their brothers, Yiannis and Vangelis Markogiannakis, for their contribution to...
In 1997, they honored Spyros Sifogiorgakis, his wife Chrysoula, and their brothers, Yiannis and Vangelis Markogiannakis, for their contribution to...
During the same year, they traveled to Detroit, America, for an event organized by the scientist, professor, and businessman Yiannis Psaroudakis....
During the same year, they traveled to Detroit, America, for an event organized by the scientist, professor, and businessman Yiannis Psaroudakis....
1998
The following year, they honored the “nightingale” of Crete, Nikos Manias, and traveled to Ukraine with the Hellenic High School of Kalamata.
The following year, they honored the “nightingale” of Crete, Nikos Manias, and traveled to Ukraine with the Hellenic High School of Kalamata.
1999
In 1999, they honored the lyra player Rodamanthos Androulakis, and collaborated with Michalis Prinarakis to present the Christmas customs and...
In 1999, they honored the lyra player Rodamanthos Androulakis, and collaborated with Michalis Prinarakis to present the Christmas customs and...
During the same year, they appeared at Megaron, the Athens Concert Hall, in the performance "The Doxari Roads," accompanied by the unique Leonidas...
During the same year, they appeared at Megaron, the Athens Concert Hall, in the performance "The Doxari Roads," accompanied by the unique Leonidas...
They also proposed to the Association of Cretans of Laconia the joint construction of a church in Sparta in honor of the Four Holy Martyrs of...
They also proposed to the Association of Cretans of Laconia the joint construction of a church in Sparta in honor of the Four Holy Martyrs of...
2000
In 2000, they collaborated again with Michalis Prinarakis, presenting the Cretan Easter customs and traditions. Dimitris Skoulas sang and chanted...
In 2000, they collaborated again with Michalis Prinarakis, presenting the Cretan Easter customs and traditions. Dimitris Skoulas sang and chanted...
In May 2000, KOURITES honored a man who was close to them from their very first steps; the songwriter and creator of the Cretan Poets Association,...
In May 2000, KOURITES honored a man who was close to them from their very first steps; the songwriter and creator of the Cretan Poets Association,...
2001
In 2001, while participating in events related to the 2004 Olympics, they danced in the area of Ancient Olympia, where, according to history, the...
In 2001, while participating in events related to the 2004 Olympics, they danced in the area of Ancient Olympia, where, according to history, the...
In addition, they participated in the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Crete, a grand event organized by the Pancretan...
In addition, they participated in the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Crete, a grand event organized by the Pancretan...
2002
In 2002, they founded the first Church of Cretan Saints outside of Crete, in Sparta, dedicated to the grace of the Four Holy Martyrs of Rethymno.
In 2002, they founded the first Church of Cretan Saints outside of Crete, in Sparta, dedicated to the grace of the Four Holy Martyrs of Rethymno.
During the same year, they traveled to France, invited by the Municipality of Agia Paraskevi, and appeared at events held for the twinning of the...
During the same year, they traveled to France, invited by the Municipality of Agia Paraskevi, and appeared at events held for the twinning of the...
Unfortunately, in July of the same year, the charismatic first dancer Charidimos Manarolis, the “Lightfoot”—as Pattakomanolis called him—left us,...
Unfortunately, in July of the same year, the charismatic first dancer Charidimos Manarolis, the “Lightfoot”—as Pattakomanolis called him—left us,...
2003
In August 2003, Pattakomanolis performed the "Kouritakia" with children aged 6-12, in his village, Chromonastiri, in a unique evening dedicated to...
In August 2003, Pattakomanolis performed the "Kouritakia" with children aged 6-12, in his village, Chromonastiri, in a unique evening dedicated to...
During the same month, they traveled to Naxos to the village of Apeiranthos. There, they donated the icon of the Two Sfakian Saints and participated in a...
During the same month, they traveled to Naxos to the village of Apeiranthos. There, they donated the icon of the Two Sfakian Saints and participated in a...
In October of the same year, they collaborated with the Prefecture of Heraklion, following a proposal by Prefect Dimitris Sarris. During this...
In October of the same year, they collaborated with the Prefecture of Heraklion, following a proposal by Prefect Dimitris Sarris. During this...
In December 2003, they traveled to Montreal, Canada, on behalf of the Prefecture of Heraklion to participate in the celebrations of the ninety years since...
In December 2003, they traveled to Montreal, Canada, on behalf of the Prefecture of Heraklion to participate in the celebrations of the ninety years since...
2004
In January 2004, the "KOURITES" of Stuttgart participated in the Stuttgart World Tourism Exhibition.
In January 2004, the "KOURITES" of Stuttgart participated in the Stuttgart World Tourism Exhibition.
In March of the same year, they took part in an event in Berlin, where the largest World Tourism Exhibition in all of Europe takes place.
In March of the same year, they took part in an event in Berlin, where the largest World Tourism Exhibition in all of Europe takes place.
During the same month in Moscow, they visited the largest Orthodox Church in the whole world, the Church of Christ the Saviour. There, they met with...
During the same month in Moscow, they visited the largest Orthodox Church in the whole world, the Church of Christ the Saviour. There, they met with...
In July 2004, at an event in Heraklion for the Cretan Olympic winners, KOURITES presented the Minoan dance for the first time. This dance is not...
In July 2004, at an event in Heraklion for the Cretan Olympic winners, KOURITES presented the Minoan dance for the first time. This dance is not...
2005
In January 2005, they participated in the World Tourism Exhibition in Vienna. They were accompanied by the Psarantonis' band.
In January 2005, they participated in the World Tourism Exhibition in Vienna. They were accompanied by the Psarantonis' band.
2006
In March 2006, they visited Berlin for the second time to attend the World Tourism Exhibition. They were accompanied by Charalambos Garganourakis'...
In March 2006, they visited Berlin for the second time to attend the World Tourism Exhibition. They were accompanied by Charalambos Garganourakis'...
On September 9, 2006, the inauguration of the Holy Church of the Four New Martyrs of Rethymno in Sparta, in the city's Sainopouleio park, which is...
On September 9, 2006, the inauguration of the Holy Church of the Four New Martyrs of Rethymno in Sparta, in the city's Sainopouleio park, which is...
2007
In 2007, the Cretan Association of Glyfada honored KOURITES for their cultural activity, and KOURITES reciprocated by gifting an icon of the Four...
In 2007, the Cretan Association of Glyfada honored KOURITES for their cultural activity, and KOURITES reciprocated by gifting an icon of the Four...
In the summer of the same year and for the next 5 summers, the shipowner, Konstantinos Goulandris, invited the Society to his house to perform...
In the summer of the same year and for the next 5 summers, the shipowner, Konstantinos Goulandris, invited the Society to his house to perform...
In September 2007, they traveled to distant China after being invited to participate in the 10th Beijing International Festival, among 47 music and...
In September 2007, they traveled to distant China after being invited to participate in the 10th Beijing International Festival, among 47 music and...
2008
In June 2008, KOURITES, having completed twenty years of a successful career, organized three days of events in Anogeia and in "Idaion Andron" of...
In June 2008, KOURITES, having completed twenty years of a successful career, organized three days of events in Anogeia and in "Idaion Andron" of...
2009
In 2009, in collaboration with the craftsmen of the Cretan silver knife, Antonis Kostantoudakis and Stavros Paterakis, KOURITES changed the history...
In 2009, in collaboration with the craftsmen of the Cretan silver knife, Antonis Kostantoudakis and Stavros Paterakis, KOURITES changed the history...
2010
In April 2010, they were invited to participate in the celebrations of March 25, organized by the expatriates of Detroit. It was the first time that...
In April 2010, they were invited to participate in the celebrations of March 25, organized by the expatriates of Detroit. It was the first time that...
On July 2 & 3, they appeared at the cultural events of the Municipality of Myrina, Limnos. They were accompanied by Michalis Kallergis' music band....
On July 2 & 3, they appeared at the cultural events of the Municipality of Myrina, Limnos. They were accompanied by Michalis Kallergis' music band....
2011
The Pancretan Association, under the chairmanship of Giorgis Maridakis, honored the Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO and President of the Association...
The Pancretan Association, under the chairmanship of Giorgis Maridakis, honored the Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO and President of the Association...
In May 2011, together with members of the Association of Chromonastiri "PANAGIA KERA," they visited the summer house of Manousos Pattakos in Agia...
In May 2011, together with members of the Association of Chromonastiri "PANAGIA KERA," they visited the summer house of Manousos Pattakos in Agia...
2012
On January 28 and 29, 2012, a two-day trek was organized by the "KOURITES" Folklore Society and the "PANAGIA KERA" Association of Chromonastiri...
On January 28 and 29, 2012, a two-day trek was organized by the "KOURITES" Folklore Society and the "PANAGIA KERA" Association of Chromonastiri...
On September 23, 2012, KOURITES participated in the event held in the Odeon of Herodes Atticus in honor of the great lyra player and singer,...
On September 23, 2012, KOURITES participated in the event held in the Odeon of Herodes Atticus in honor of the great lyra player and singer,...
On November 11, 2012, the "KOURITES" Folklore Society danced at the event held at Megaron, the Concert Hall of Athens by Panagiotis Mylonas. The...
On November 11, 2012, the "KOURITES" Folklore Society danced at the event held at Megaron, the Concert Hall of Athens by Panagiotis Mylonas. The...
In August 2012, an honorary event was organized for General H.E. Fraggos Fragoulis in Chromonastiri, Rethymno. It should be noted that the President of...
In August 2012, an honorary event was organized for General H.E. Fraggos Fragoulis in Chromonastiri, Rethymno. It should be noted that the President of...
In December 2012, the Pancretan Brotherhood of Macedonia, in collaboration with the Cultural Society of Chromonastiri, "MYLOS TOU PRINARIS," and the ...
In December 2012, the Pancretan Brotherhood of Macedonia, in collaboration with the Cultural Society of Chromonastiri, "MYLOS TOU PRINARIS," and the ...
2013
In November 2013, they participated in the unveiling of the Cretan Fighters of the Macedonian Struggle monument by the Union of Saronic Cretans "THE...
In November 2013, they participated in the unveiling of the Cretan Fighters of the Macedonian Struggle monument by the Union of Saronic Cretans "THE...
In the same month, they sang carols and danced at the Goulandris Museum of Natural History, where they offered traditional Cretan gifts to the...
In the same month, they sang carols and danced at the Goulandris Museum of Natural History, where they offered traditional Cretan gifts to the...
2014
On January 25, 2014, the "KOURITES" Folklore Society participated in the annual event of the Cretan Association of Karditsa. The first women's cape...
On January 25, 2014, the "KOURITES" Folklore Society participated in the annual event of the Cretan Association of Karditsa. The first women's cape...
In February 2014, Pattakomanolis presented a Cretan silver knife of unique art and value to the Hellenic Military Academy. Accompanied by three...
In February 2014, Pattakomanolis presented a Cretan silver knife of unique art and value to the Hellenic Military Academy. Accompanied by three...
In March 2014, KOURITES were chosen to represent Greece at the 2nd International Festival in Damanhour, Egypt. Then, they traveled to Alexandria,...
In March 2014, KOURITES were chosen to represent Greece at the 2nd International Festival in Damanhour, Egypt. Then, they traveled to Alexandria,...
On the 27th and 28th of October 2014, KOURITES and the Association of Chromonastiri "PANAGIA KERA" transferred the worship of the Four Martyrs to...
On the 27th and 28th of October 2014, KOURITES and the Association of Chromonastiri "PANAGIA KERA" transferred the worship of the Four Martyrs to...
In November 2014, the "KOURITES" Folklore Society participated and danced in the event "OUR SAINTS UNITE," which was held at Megaron the Athens...
In November 2014, the "KOURITES" Folklore Society participated and danced in the event "OUR SAINTS UNITE," which was held at Megaron the Athens...
On December 13, 2014, the "KOURITES" Folklore Society was honored by the ASSOCIATION OF THE SFAKIANS. The event was followed by the proposal of...
On December 13, 2014, the "KOURITES" Folklore Society was honored by the ASSOCIATION OF THE SFAKIANS. The event was followed by the proposal of...
2015
Following a request conveyed to him by the Greek embassy, Pattakomanolis provided olive oil for the ceremony of Saint Myros in the Armenian...
Following a request conveyed to him by the Greek embassy, Pattakomanolis provided olive oil for the ceremony of Saint Myros in the Armenian...
On October 30 and 31, 2015, they participated in the two-day tribute to Crete entitled "The Precious Roots of the Greeks of Crete," organized by the...
On October 30 and 31, 2015, they participated in the two-day tribute to Crete entitled "The Precious Roots of the Greeks of Crete," organized by the...
In November 2015, the Goulandris Museum of Natural History organized an event dedicated to Crete with the title "Cretan Night at the Museum," in...
In November 2015, the Goulandris Museum of Natural History organized an event dedicated to Crete with the title "Cretan Night at the Museum," in...
In December 2015, the children's group of the KOURITES Folklore Society participated and sang the New Year's carols in the new record of Antonis...
In December 2015, the children's group of the KOURITES Folklore Society participated and sang the New Year's carols in the new record of Antonis...
In the same month, Pattakomanolis met with the representatives of the Armenian village of Rethymnon (ecclesiastical, local, and cultural council)...
In the same month, Pattakomanolis met with the representatives of the Armenian village of Rethymnon (ecclesiastical, local, and cultural council)...
2016
On October 8, 2016, the "KOURITES" Folklore Society attended vespers at the Holy Monastery of the Holy Forty Martyrs in Sparta. There, they had a...
On October 8, 2016, the "KOURITES" Folklore Society attended vespers at the Holy Monastery of the Holy Forty Martyrs in Sparta. There, they had a...
On November 8, 2016, they received an honorary invitation from His Eminence, the Metropolitan of Rethymno, and Avlopotamos, Mr. Eugenios, to attend...
On November 8, 2016, they received an honorary invitation from His Eminence, the Metropolitan of Rethymno, and Avlopotamos, Mr. Eugenios, to attend...
In November 2016, at the invitation of the Pancretan Association of Melbourne, KOURITES traveled to distant Australia, culturally conquering the...
In November 2016, at the invitation of the Pancretan Association of Melbourne, KOURITES traveled to distant Australia, culturally conquering the...
On December 11, 2016, the memory of Saint God-crowned Nikiforos Fokas was celebrated in Armeni, Rethymno, on the initiative of Pattakomanolis and...
On December 11, 2016, the memory of Saint God-crowned Nikiforos Fokas was celebrated in Armeni, Rethymno, on the initiative of Pattakomanolis and...
2017
On August 17, 2017, the "KOURITES" Folklore Society organized an event at the Aetoudakeio outdoor history and culture park in Atsipopoulos,...
On August 17, 2017, the "KOURITES" Folklore Society organized an event at the Aetoudakeio outdoor history and culture park in Atsipopoulos,...
2018
In May 2018, after thirty years of contribution to the cultural events of our country, KOURITES made a pilgrimage to Mount Athos. They were welcomed in the...
In May 2018, after thirty years of contribution to the cultural events of our country, KOURITES made a pilgrimage to Mount Athos. They were welcomed in the...
On May 17, 2018, following the invitation of the President of the Theological School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, KOURITES attended...
On May 17, 2018, following the invitation of the President of the Theological School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, KOURITES attended...
In 2018, for the third year, the memory of Saint God-Crowned King Nikiforos Fokas was celebrated on December 11 in the presence of His Eminence, the...
In 2018, for the third year, the memory of Saint God-Crowned King Nikiforos Fokas was celebrated on December 11 in the presence of His Eminence, the...
During the same year, for the umpteenth time, they attended the established event of Dimitris Aetoudakis, where the new children's team of Kourites...
During the same year, for the umpteenth time, they attended the established event of Dimitris Aetoudakis, where the new children's team of Kourites...
A few days later, they chanted the carols to the former GEETHA chief, Admiral Evangelos Apostolakis, and the Chief of the Army General Staff, Lt....
A few days later, they chanted the carols to the former GEETHA chief, Admiral Evangelos Apostolakis, and the Chief of the Army General Staff, Lt....
2019
In 2019, they participated in Antonis Martsakis' event "Crete, Mother of Graciousness" at the Rock Theater. Antonis Martsakis is a...
In 2019, they participated in Antonis Martsakis' event "Crete, Mother of Graciousness" at the Rock Theater. Antonis Martsakis is a...
In November of the same year, they participated in the music and dance performance "My Crete" at the Christmas Theater with the participation of 20...
In November of the same year, they participated in the music and dance performance "My Crete" at the Christmas Theater with the participation of 20...
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