Location information

IKARIA (Island) NORTH AEGEAN
  The Ikarian dance, from a musical standpoint, is unique in the Greek realm. Its variations look like the “Kalamatiano” (a kind of “syrtos” dance from Southern Greece) and originates from antiquity, in the ancient “χόρειο άλογο” dance. The traditional songs, such as “Ambelokoutsoura”, in iambic 15-syllable metre, are what has been saved as a specimen of dactylic metre and of the music we come across in Homer.
  The musical instruments used by Ikarian musicians are the lyra, the violin and the tsabounofylaka (island bagpipes).
  Apart from the traditional songs, there are the epics (rives), which refer to the history of Ikaria. The Riva of the Castle of Koskina (Kossikia, Mesaria) in three variations is about the taking over of the Castle by the Genoese, and the Riva of Lagada about the rebuttal of the pirates by the inhabitants.
  Rives and traditional songs are sung at feasts and traditional weddings.
This text (extract) is cited January 2004 from the Evdilos Municipal Cultural Organization tourist pamphlet.

Ikarian Dancing Music

Island-Ikaria Web page
• http://www.island-ikaria.com/multimedia/music.asp (1 img.)

Greek language courses in Ikaria

ARETHOUSSA (Village) EVDILOS
The Hellenic Culture Centre (Kentro Ellinikou Politismou) organises Modern Greek courses every year. The courses take place in the picturesque island of Ikaria (summer courses: May - October), as well as in Athens (all year).

• http://hcc.gr/
• http://www.cc.ece.ntua.gr/~eadami/hcc/info.html